Lost in Translation - Original Language in Sacred Texts

Hey guys!

I was reading from Michael Sells' Approaching the Qur'an - The Early Revelations, and was particularly struck by Sells' explanation of the importance of the original language of a work in regards to learning and becoming acquainted with the true essence of a sacred text.

The Qu'ran, as was noted by Sells, had its roots in a society that placed high value on poetry - Sells' explanation of the three part odes, or qasidas, greatly elaborates upon how important such poetry (which was, in turn, influenced by the nomadic bedouin lifestyle and values of heroism and generosity) could be in a Bedouin society. In fact, the Ka'ba in Mecca used to be draped with a tapesty embroidered with odes, entitled the "Hanging Odes."

The Qu'ran, much like the odes, is a very lyrical work - each phrase and sura is painstakingly crafted, rife with awe-inspiring imagery and subtle inflections - such as the change in pronouns referring to God, which is a way of avoiding associating God with any one specific pronoun (or point of view, even).

Indeed, as described by Sells, the Qu'ran is a beautiful work - yet, it is hard to translate its intended meaning and presentation from Arabic into another language. For example, on page 24, Sells describes two words - qari-a and hawiya - with a multitude of different synonyms. Qari'a could mean "smashing" - or, it could mean something like "calamity." Knowing this, one can understand how meaning can be lost in translation from one language to another.

In addition, the Qu'ran has always been valued for its lyricism in oral recitation. This lyricism stems, in part, from the nuances of the Arabic language itself. It is extremely difficult to reflect the sound of a text in one language in the translation of the same text in a different language.

Knowing what I do now, after reading excerpts from Sells' texts, I wonder just how much more we could understand a text if we read it in its original, intended language - and how much is lost in translation.

Thoughts?

- Anne Reynolds