Traces of Ideology and Fictional Scenarios in Translating the Qurān: A Critical Discourse Analysis of Nine Cases across Twenty Versions in English (original) (raw)

This research article aims to explore and critically examine nine cases in which traces of ideology are explicitly or implicitly involved in creating ‗fictional scenarios' in the context of translating the Qurān into English. The goal is to trace the ideological agendas that underpin these ‗fictional scenarios' and the way they shape the Qurānic message. The article employs a critical qualitative framework that allows for the researcher's subjective interpretations of the relevant texts. Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is used for the analysis of data as this approach provides convenient modes of critical thinking to carry out the present thesis. In this article, nine cases across twenty versions of the Qurān in English are investigated. Major findings indicate that traces of ideology are the genesis of fictional scenarios that drastically alter the Qurānic message. Neo-Mutazilite, modernist, and Qurānist traces of ideology significantly contribute to produce alien readings of some Qurānic texts as in cases (1) to (6). Sufi and gnostic ideologies are crucial in creating a fictional scenario in which the Prophet Muhammad is supposed to have attained the Beatific Vision in the Night of Ascension:[cases (7)].Plus, the desire to create ‗exotic worlds' and intrude into the privacy of women has its own legacy in the world of ideology and significantly contributes to create ‗fictional scenarios' in translating particular Qurānic verses:[case (8)]. Nonetheless, sometimes complex traces of ideology may combine together to create an ideologically-motivated fictional reading: [case (9)].