Difficulties of Koranic Translation and Untranslatability. a Criticism on So-Called Koran Translations

Seminar paper from the year 2015 in the subject Theology - Islamic theology, grade: 2,3, University of Siegen (Philosophische Fakultät), course: An Introduction to Translation Theory, language: English, abstract: The aim of this term paper is to provide evidence that the Koran is untranslatable and how incorrectly translated verses are abused by sects to manipulate their audience and to gain more members. The paper concentrates only on the linguistic level and not on the political effects of incorrect translations.

The idea of untranslatability and reasons why Islamic scholars think that the Koran is untranslatable are presented. In relation to that, the paper also refers to the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. In the second part, some incorrectly translated verses sby some guidelines based on Gerzymisch-Arbogast's "Übersetzungswissenschaftliches Propädeutikum" are criticised.