Euphemism in Translation: An Assessment of Three Translations of Euphemistic Expressions in Surat Al-Baqarah. | ||
| Al-Ma'mon College Journal | ||
| Article 1, Volume 0, Issue 27, September 2018, Pages 273-297 | ||
| Author | ||
| Rafid Abdul-Ameer Ghaeb | ||
| Abstract | ||
| The present paper attempts to evaluate three translations of euphemistic expressions in Surat Al-Baqarah in the Glorious Qur'an. The choice of the three translations is based on the criteria of popularity, as well as linguistic and religious backgrounds. Euphemisms in this Surah deal with touchy topics related to marital relationship, disbelief and deviation from the right path. The study has found that there are twelve euphemistic expressions in nine Ayahs. As for translation, the study has concluded that translators differ in rendering the euphemisms into English. Three translation strategies are generally used, paraphrase, literal translation, and couplet, with paraphrase being the most frequent one. Not all translations have been equally successful in rendering the euphemistic expressions in this Surah; rather accuracy of rendition is placed on different levels. At times all the translations failed to capture the appropriate interpretation of a euphemism and have therefore came up with erroneous rendition. In one instance all the translators failed to give an equivalent that can capture all the meaning nuances of the Qur'anic euphemism. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Glorious Qur; Surat Al; Baqarah; euphemism; paraphrase; literal translation; couplet | ||
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