Translating the Sacred Text: A Polysystem Approach

Abstract

This paper attempts an extended version of the polysystem theory combined with corpus linguistics techniques in translating the Qur'an. The original version of the theory focuses on the network of relations around the target text, while the extended version includes the network of relations (or systems) of both the source and target text, be they linguistic, social, historical, etc. To explore the systems of both the source and target text, a model was developed for translating the Sacred Text which can serve as a framework for the translators to capture the early and late Arab contributions from linguistic, historical and social perspectives to maintain the original message and present it afresh to the modern generations. The model consists of three stages and each stage involves a number of systems, including the linguistic analysis of the original and target text, the network of relations of the early context, and the network of relations of the modern context. Three verses were selected in this paper to demonstrate the validity of the model. The verses deal with some social, historical, theological and legal debatable issues in the field of Sacred Text exegesis, theology and Islamic jurisprudence. The different readings of the verses are mirrored in the various translations of the Sacred Text.