Linguistic Accuracy in Translating the Qur’anic Arabic Homograph al-Hawā (الهوى) into English: An Equivalence Theory Approach

Abstract

Attaining linguistic accuracy in the translation of Qur’ānic Arabic homographs, especially the lexeme al-Hawā (الهوى), into English has created a daunting challenge for linguists, interpreters, philologists, translators, and Qur’ānic scholars. This intricacy is due to the double meaning associated with these lexical items and the complicated exegetic and contextual nuances inherent in Qur’ānic discourse in terms of the general and specific meanings of Qur’ānic homographic lexemes. This analytical analysis aims to investigate the linguistic accuracy of translating the Qur’ānic homograph al-Hawā (الهوى). This study is conducted under the framework of the equivalence theory approach. Utilizing a qualitative, analytical methodology, it is based primarily on analytical frameworks and a comprehensive literature review, favoring qualitative over quantitative methods. The findings imply that Abdel Haleem, Pickthall, and Al-Hilali and Khan predominantly utilized a blend of dynamic, free, contextual, and literal translation strategies to capture the nuanced semantic dimensions of the Qur’anic Arabic homograph al-Hawā (الهوى). However, instances remain where strict adherence to literal translation leads to a failure to aptly express the connotation and implication of these Qur’ānic homographs.