Islamic Vernacular Terminology
Paul O. Bartlett
I bid peace to all Muslims during the month of Ramadan and at all
times.
In many postings on s.r.i., and in much of my readings on Islam
elsewhere, as an inquirer, I have seen writers use a transliterated
Arabic word in an otherwise English piece. I have often wondered why
the writer could not have used an equivalent English word. (The
question applies also in those parts of North America, and elsewhere,
in which the vernacular language is French, Spanish, or other.)
I know from my own studies of the humanities that there are often
words in one language which are difficult or impossible to translate
exactly into another particular language. For example, the English
word "home" with all its connotations is notoriously difficult to
translate exactly and concisely into some languages.
Nevertheless, often terms in one language have adequate equivalents
in another. If that is so, why do Muslim writers in Eglish (or
whatever language) continue to use Arabic terms when there are
perfectly good English equivalents? In terms of dawah, undoubtedly on
the Internet there are numerous non-Muslims who read s.r.i. who may
simply be bewildered by the use of Arabic terminology and just may not
understand what the writer is conveying.
In the case of Muslim readers, many may be new and may not have a
grasp of all the Arabic terminology. In any case, if there are
suitable English equivalents, why not use them? What is gained by
keeping Arabic terms? Is it not possible to convey the message of
Islam other than in Arabic? (Note that I am not referring to
preservation and study of the original text of the Qur'an.)
For Islamic terms for which there are no adequate English
equivalents, then certainly the Arabic may be retained. One of the
strengths of the English language has been its ability to absorb words
from other languages (provided there has been a real need to do so).
However, my own humble opinion is that often Muslim writers keep a
mixture of English peppered with Arabic when there is no real need to
do so. Such a practice, I submit, fosters the image of Islam being
something foreign and even sinister.
Polite comments invited.
Best wishes for all in Ramadan,
Paul
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Shafique Pappa
In article <2jsmbi$g...@gap.cco.caltech.edu> "Paul O. Bartlett" <p00...@psilink.com> writes:
>From: "Paul O. Bartlett" <p00...@psilink.com>
>Subject: Islamic Vernacular Terminology
>Date: 16 Feb 1994 08:43:30 GMT
> I bid peace to all Muslims during the month of Ramadan and at all
>times.
> In many postings on s.r.i., and in much of my readings on Islam
>elsewhere, as an inquirer, I have seen writers use a transliterated
>Arabic word in an otherwise English piece. I have often wondered why
>the writer could not have used an equivalent English word. (The
>question applies also in those parts of North America, and elsewhere,
>in which the vernacular language is French, Spanish, or other.)
[rest deleted]...
I agree completely. I would refer you to my posting on "RE: Reading the
Quran". It seems to me that many people confuse the content of the Quran with
the Arabic language. They further go on to say that the conepts related in
the Quran can ONLY be PERFECTLY understood if read in the original text.
I guess when you are looking for something thats not there, then the idea "it
could be there" is very attractive.
My only comment to those who insist that the Quran can only be conveyed in
Arabic is to read the following:
"We have sent it down as an Arabic Qur'an in order that ye may learn
wisdom." 12:2 Yusuf Ali.
"Thus have we sent this down an Arabic Qur'an and explained therein in
detail some of the warnings in order that they may fear Allah or that
it may cause their remembrance (of Him)." 20:113 Yusuf Ali.
[Had We sent this as a Qur'an (in a language) other than Arabic they
would have said: "Why are not its verses explained in detail? What! (a
Book) not in Arabic and (a Messenger) an Arab?" Say: "It is a guide and
a healing to those who believe; and for those who believe not there is a
deafness in their ears and it is blindness in their (eyes); they are (as
it were) being called from a place far distant!] 41:44 Yusuf Ali.
"And We have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and remember: then is
there any that will receive admonition" 54:17 Yusuf Ali.
"But We have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and remember: then is
there any that will receive admonition" 54:22 Yusuf Ali.
"And We have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and remember: then is
there any that will receive admonition" 54:32 Yusuf Ali.
"And We have indeed made the Quran easy to understand and remember: then is
there any that will receive admonition" 54:40 Yusuf Ali.
>From the above it is clear that God gave mercy to the Arabs by reasoning with
them in their own language. He did not intend for them to follow without
understanding (as some of our fellow readers believe). The Quran conveys
concepts which are easy to understand for ALL people using all
languages provided they are true to their purpose.
It seems strange to me why most muslims insist that this can ONLY be
accomplished by understanding the original ARABIC. Further, they spend
great amounts of energy in repetitive pronounciations without an end goal of
learning the language.
NOTE: I do not support the idea of abandoning Arabic or the original form.
But for those who do not understand and are not proficient, sticking to the
original is at best a futile exercise. It is more important for them to learn
the content of the Quran first and foremost. There salvation comes from
understanding and practicing what God has revealed, not being accurate in
something they do not understand.
Peace be upon you and the Mercy of God.
Shafique Pappa