Translation and the World of the Text: On the Translation of the Word Ḥijāb in the Qur’an

Ziad Magdy Elmarsafy; Mustapha Bentaibi

doi:10.1080/13556509.2015.1073465

Translation and the World of the Text: On the Translation of the Word Ḥijāb in the Qur’an

Ziad Magdy Elmarsafy, Mustapha Bentaibi

Comparative Literature

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

The article addresses questions of semantics, reference and the ‘world of the text’ (Ricœur’s term) through a detailed comparative analysis of the ways in which the word hijab in the Qurʾan has been translated and understood. The translations of the word hijab and the meanings that attach thereto demonstrate the risks inherent in privileging a putatively all-important referent over several valid signifieds. The article falls into two parts, the first presenting a theoretical exposition of the stakes involved in these translations, while the second traces the operation of the word hijab in several English translations of the Qurʾan. We argue that, in the Qurʾan, the word hijab demarcates the place that enables communication between the divine and the human.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	210-222
Journal	The Translator
Volume	21
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1080/13556509.2015.1073465
Publication status	Published - 30 Nov 2015

Keywords

Translation Theory
Qur'an
Hermeneutics
Reference
Islam
Ricoeur
Anthony Appiah
Language and Linguistics
Religious studies
Literature and Literary Theory

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10.1080/13556509.2015.1073465

Cite this

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title = "Translation and the World of the Text: On the Translation of the Word Ḥijāb in the Qur{\textquoteright}an ",

abstract = "The article addresses questions of semantics, reference and the {\textquoteleft}world of the text{\textquoteright} (Ric{\oe}ur{\textquoteright}s term) through a detailed comparative analysis of the ways in which the word hijab in the Qurʾan has been translated and understood. The translations of the word hijab and the meanings that attach thereto demonstrate the risks inherent in privileging a putatively all-important referent over several valid signifieds. The article falls into two parts, the first presenting a theoretical exposition of the stakes involved in these translations, while the second traces the operation of the word hijab in several English translations of the Qurʾan. We argue that, in the Qurʾan, the word hijab demarcates the place that enables communication between the divine and the human.",

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AB - The article addresses questions of semantics, reference and the ‘world of the text’ (Ricœur’s term) through a detailed comparative analysis of the ways in which the word hijab in the Qurʾan has been translated and understood. The translations of the word hijab and the meanings that attach thereto demonstrate the risks inherent in privileging a putatively all-important referent over several valid signifieds. The article falls into two parts, the first presenting a theoretical exposition of the stakes involved in these translations, while the second traces the operation of the word hijab in several English translations of the Qurʾan. We argue that, in the Qurʾan, the word hijab demarcates the place that enables communication between the divine and the human.

KW - Translation Theory

KW - Qur'an

KW - Hermeneutics

KW - Reference

KW - Islam

KW - Ricoeur

KW - Anthony Appiah

KW - Language and Linguistics

KW - Religious studies

KW - Literature and Literary Theory

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ER -

Translation and the World of the Text: On the Translation of the Word Ḥijāb in the Qur’an

Abstract

Keywords

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