RENDERING QUR’ANIC EUPHEMISMS INTO ENGLISH: CHALLENGES OF TRANSLATABILITY AND SEMANTIC FIDELITY (A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF TWO ENGLISH TRANSLATION OF THE HOLY QURAN)

Abstract

This study investigates the complex linguistic, cultural, and theological challenges involved in rendering Qur’anic euphemisms into English, focusing particularly on the delicate balance between semantic fidelity and stylistic integrity. Euphemism in the Qur’anic discourse is not merely a rhetorical device but an expression of modesty, moral refinement, and spiritual subtlety. It functions as an essential component of the Qur’an’s communicative strategy, especially in themes involving marital relations, bodily functions, death, moral taboos, and notions of purity. The research draws upon a comparative analysis of two prominent English translations Abdullah Yusuf Ali and Saheeh International representing distinct translation philosophies, historical contexts, and stylistic orientations.

Through an examination of selected verses, the study highlights significant variations in how euphemistic expressions are rendered, particularly concerning literalness, interpretive tendencies, cultural sensitivity, and rhetorical effect. The analysis demonstrates that excessive explicitness in translation may diminish the ethical and aesthetic dimensions of Qur’anic discourse, whereas overly vague renderings can obscure intended meanings for contemporary readers. As a result, the research illuminates the inherent tension between readability and reverence, clarity and decorum, interpretation and restraint. It further evaluates the impact of translation choices on reader reception, theological interpretation, and cultural accessibility.

The study concludes that translating Qur’anic euphemisms requires a multidimensional approach that incorporates linguistic precision, awareness of classical exegetical traditions, and sensitivity toward the Qur’an’s ethical register. It recommends euphemistic equivalence rather than literal substitution, along with contextual clarification through annotations rather than modification of the sacred text itself. The overall findings contribute to broader Qur’anic translation studies by emphasizing the need for balanced, culturally informed, and rhetorically faithful translation methodologies capable of preserving both meaning and majesty of the divine message.