Translating ISTI’ARAH and Kinayah in Quranic Verses

Abstract

Isti'arah and kinayah are among figurative expressions, commonly found in Arabic language. Isti'arah refers to the use of words which are not from its derivative meaning and the correlation between original meaning and majazi meaning based on the foundation of similarity. Kinayah, on the other hand, are words, which means beyond its literal meaning. Both elements are often discussed by scholars, especially in the study of Quran and Arabic Balaghah. The objective of this study is to identify strategies employed by Arab-Malay translators when dealing with both elements in Quranic verses, besides examining for the best translating strategies for expressions of isti'arah and kinayah. This study is qualitative in nature, using content analysis method. Data was collected from Tafsir Pimpinan al-Rahman, tafsir al-Haramain and Mushaf al-Farid. Five of each isti'arah and kinayah statements were selected to be analysed based on istiárah translating strategies, as proposed by Majdi (2009). The analysis of translating strategies is carried out by comparing translation in the three tafsir texts. Findings revealed that three strategies which are commonly used by translators are literal translating strategy, tafsir strategies and explanatory strategy through the use of footnotes. This study also found that expressions of istia'rah and kinayah should be best dealt through the use of literal translating and tafsir strategy while a combination of literal translating strategy and explanatory strategy are observed best when translating expressions of kinayah.