The Role and Use of Hermeneutics and Intertextuality in Translating Mystical and Esoteric Texts

A Comparative Study on Pickthall's and Nasr's Translation of the Quran

Master's Thesis , 2017 , 180 Pages , Grade: 19.25

Speech Science / Linguistics

This study claims to have studied the pragmatic use and role of hermeneutics and intertextuality in translating esoteric and mystical contexts of the Quran. Thus, it examines and reviews such highly esoteric and mystic contexts by performing a comparative but descriptive analysis on two of the scholarly translations of the Quran ever produced: The classic translation of the Quran by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall (1930) that
was the first scholarly translation produced by a native English scholar who was also a Muslim convert, and the latest scholarly translation of the Quran by Seyyed Hossein Nasr (2015), a professor of philosophy, comparative religion and mystic teachings.

The purpose of the study is to show how the effective use of an intertextual hermeneutics can help increase the functionality and naturalness of the translation that are the keys to reach to the minds of Western readers who would experience a spiritual encounter with the theophany of the religion of Islam that is its central message, the Quran. The study uses Steiner’s (1975) four-fold hermeneutic motion to perform a comparative and intertextual examination on four major Quranic themes that are Quranic hermeneutics (ta’wil), verbal/oral transmission of the Quran, Quranic intertextuality, and Quranic imagery. The significance of the study is based on two justifications; the issue of authority over a particular discourse that inevitably is realised in translating the Quranicmessage for Western audience, and the flagrant chasm that exists between hermeneutical and translational studies of the Quran.

The findings suggest that using an intertextual hermeneutics or any consciousness over that can facilitate the functionality and naturalness of the translation for Western receivers of the translation that have the essence of their spirituality forged based on Judeo-Christian discourse; considering the dramatic similarities that naturally happen among Abrahamic faiths.

Table of Contents

• Abstract
• Dedication
• Chapter 1: Introduction
• 1.1 Problem Statement
• 1.2 Objectives of the Study
• 1.3 Significance of the Study
• 1.4 Scope of the Study
• 1.5 Limitations of the Study
• 1.6 Organization of the Study
• Chapter 2: Review of Literature
• 2.1 Hermeneutics and Intertextuality
• 2.1.1 Hermeneutics
• 2.1.2 Intertextuality
• 2.2 The Quran and its Translations
• 2.2.1 The Quranic Text
• 2.2.2 Quranic Hermeneutics (Ta’wil)
• 2.2.3 The Quranic Intertextuality
• 2.3 Quranic Translations
• 2.3.1 The History of Quranic Translations
• 2.3.2 The Importance of Scholarly Translations
• 2.3.3 Challenges of Translating the Quran
• Chapter 3: Methodology
• 3.1 Research Design
• 3.2 Data Collection
• 3.3 Data Analysis
• Chapter 4: Analysis
• 4.1 The Quranic Hermeneutics
• 4.1.1 Pickthall's Translation of the Quran
• 4.1.2 Nasr's Translation of the Quran
• 4.1.3 A Comparative Analysis
• 4.2 Verbal/Oral Transmission of the Quran
• 4.2.1 Pickthall's Translation of the Quran
• 4.2.2 Nasr's Translation of the Quran
• 4.2.3 A Comparative Analysis
• 4.3 Quranic Intertextuality
• 4.3.1 Pickthall's Translation of the Quran
• 4.3.2 Nasr's Translation of the Quran
• 4.3.3 A Comparative Analysis
• 4.4 Quranic Imagery
• 4.4.1 Pickthall's Translation of the Quran
• 4.4.2 Nasr's Translation of the Quran
• 4.4.3 A Comparative Analysis
• Chapter 5: Conclusion
• 5.1 Summary of Findings
• 5.2 Recommendations for Further Research
• References

Objectives and Key Themes

This study examines the role and use of hermeneutics and intertextuality in translating esoteric and mystical contexts of the Quran. The study compares two scholarly translations of the Quran, those by Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall and Seyyed Hossein Nasr, and analyzes their approaches to these complex concepts. The study aims to show how the effective use of intertextual hermeneutics can improve the functionality and naturalness of the translation, ultimately facilitating a spiritual encounter with the central message of Islam for Western readers.

• Hermeneutics and intertextuality in translation
• The translation of esoteric and mystical texts
• Comparative analysis of Quranic translations
• The impact of translation on reader comprehension and interpretation
• The role of translation in facilitating a spiritual encounter

Chapter Summaries

• Chapter 1: Introduction introduces the study's problem statement, objectives, significance, scope, limitations, and organization. It sets the stage for the subsequent analysis.
• Chapter 2: Review of Literature delves into relevant theories and concepts, exploring the nature of hermeneutics and intertextuality in translation, the Quran and its translations, and the challenges associated with translating the Quran. It lays the groundwork for the study's methodology.
• Chapter 3: Methodology outlines the research design, data collection methods, and data analysis techniques employed in the study. It provides a clear understanding of how the research was conducted.
• Chapter 4: Analysis analyzes the use of hermeneutics and intertextuality in Pickthall's and Nasr's translations of the Quran across four key themes: Quranic hermeneutics, verbal/oral transmission, Quranic intertextuality, and Quranic imagery. It compares and contrasts the approaches of the two translators to these concepts.

Keywords

This study focuses on key terms and concepts such as hermeneutics, intertextuality, Quranic translation, esotericism, mysticism, comparative analysis, spiritual encounter, and Western readers. It explores the impact of translation on the comprehension and interpretation of these complex themes within a specific religious context.

• College: University of Tehran
• Grade: 19.25
• Author: Saeed Majidi Golvandani (Author)
• Publication Year: 2017
• Pages: 180
• Catalog Number: V416976
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668673229
• ISBN (Book): 9783668673236
• Language: English
• Tags: Translation, Quran, Esoteric, Mystical, intertextuality, hermeneutics