E-Thesis 67 views
The Impact of the Translator’s Decision in Segmentation Within and Across Verses in English Qur’an Translation: A Case Study of M. A. S. Abdel Haleem’s Translation / MONEERAH ALKHOMAYES
Swansea University Author: MONEERAH ALKHOMAYES
DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUThesis.70997
Abstract
This thesis investigates the impact of the translator’s decisions regarding segmentation within and across verses in M. A. S. Abdel Haleem’s English translation of the Qur’an (The Qur’an:A new translation, first published in 2004 by Oxford University Press). It explores the factors influencing the t...
| Published: |
Swansea
2025
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| Institution: | Swansea University |
| Degree level: | Doctoral |
| Degree name: | Ph.D |
| Supervisor: | Perez-Tattam, R., Parra, M. F., and El-Awa, S. |
| URI: | https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa70997 |
| Abstract: |
This thesis investigates the impact of the translator’s decisions regarding segmentation within and across verses in M. A. S. Abdel Haleem’s English translation of the Qur’an (The Qur’an:A new translation, first published in 2004 by Oxford University Press). It explores the factors influencing the translator’s choices to join or split verses, the implications of these shifts for target readers (TRs), and the determinants of verse grouping. The research is guided by three primary questions: (1) What are the factors that influence Abdel Haleem’s decisions to join and split the Qur’anic verses in his English translation of the Qur’an? (2) What are the factors that determine the grouping of the verses (paragraphing) in Abdel Haleem’s English translation of the Qur’an? (3) What are the implications of these structural shifts for the understanding, interpretation, and reception of the original verses of the Qur'an among the English-speaking target readers? To address these questions, the following methodologies were applied, a detailed textual analysis of Abdel Haleem’s translation with the original Arabic across three selected Qur’anic chapters, Al-Hajj, Al-Jathiyah, and Al-Bayyinah, chosen for their varied lengths and differing contexts of revelation (Mecca or Medina), in order to capture a representative range of structural and thematic characteristics, supplemented by observational data from an interview with Abdel Haleem and the translator’s preface to The Qur’an: A new translation, offering insights into his rationale. In addition, several translation shifts were analysed quantitatively and qualitatively, including punctuation, additions, omissions, recitation signs, empathic markers, and conjunctions. The analysis and discussion of the translator’s decisions are grounded in two complementary theoretical frameworks: Toury’s (1995/2012) model of translation norms, and Reiß and Vermeer’s Skopos theory. While Toury’s model highlights the importance of producing translations that align with target language (TL) norms and cultural expectations, Skopos theory focuses on the purpose of the translation, in this case, accessibility for English-speaking readers. Applied together, these frameworks provide a richer insight into how verse joining, splitting, and paragraphing serve both functional and cultural needs. This study finds that Abdel Haleem’s translational behaviour is influenced by linguistic, theological, and contextual factors. Linguistically, he prioritises clarity and coherence in English, often restructuring Qur’anic verses to improve readability. Theologically, the need to preserve the sanctity and intended message of the Qur’an remains a guiding principle. Contextually, his sensitivity to the background and expectations of his diverse target audience shapes his decisions. This study confirms the initial hypothesis that modern translators, such as Abdel Haleem, restructure Qur’anic chapters into paragraph form and selectively join or split verses to enhance accessibility, coherence, and readability for TRs. This shift, while enhancing comprehension,sometimes narrows interpretative possibilities, with potential semantic loss. Nevertheless,many choices reflect a balance between acceptability and adequacy, consistent with Toury’s initial norms. The segmentation strategies employed, such as joining thematically linked verses or splitting longer ones, highlight the translator’s role in shaping the reader’s understanding.Grouping decisions are shown to be influenced by thematic coherence, rhetorical emphasis,and the need to simplify complex theological concepts. This study contributes to both Translation Studies (TS) and Qur’anic Studies (QS) by shedding light on how structural shifts in translation affect meaning, coherence, and reader reception. It underscores the importance of examining the translator’s agency within a broader linguistic, theological, and cultural context. While this study focuses on a single translation, its findings open avenues for comparative research across different English translations of the Qur’an or other sacred texts. |
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| Keywords: |
Structural shifts, Skopos theory, translation strategies, Toury’s norms, acceptability, accessibility, paragraphing, Translation Studies, Qur’anic Studies. |
| College: |
Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences |
| Funders: |
Royal Embassy Of Saudi Arabia |