I did a video. youtu.be
I talk about the approach and merits of the project, followed by a look at the translator’s introduction, then analysis of the Fatiha and the whole of Surat Yusuf. This kind of deep dive is intended to show the factors involved in evaluating a translation.
So a few people are saying 2 hours is too much 😅 - I know, but you can skip the reading of Yusuf if you like! I wanted to avoid the absolutist approach some take to endorsing/critiquing such works.
But let me summarise a few of my views on it here…
But let me summarise a few of my views on it here…
1. It’s undoubtedly a contribution worthy of study and comparison. The approach is quite clearly described and the accompanying website is a welcome model of transparency and education.
2. The translator’s introduction names 7 areas which previous translators have neglected. I feel this critique is a little overstated, and there are legitimately different strategies to handling these nuances.
(I’m reminded here of Khalid Blankinship’s book)
(I’m reminded here of Khalid Blankinship’s book)
3. The language itself is neither of the accessible kind that (probably) most people look for nowadays, nor does it reach the eloquence and elegance of some past contributions in the field. Tastes vary, of course, so I’m sure the style will be more appealing to others.
4. I like the Arabic layout and line-breaks in the translation. As an avid reader of tafsir, I have a lot of “see what you did there” moments. I’m unsure how well this works for an uninitiated reader.
(We need more study into what happens when people read Quran translations.)
(We need more study into what happens when people read Quran translations.)
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