Optimal relevance in the translation of Quranic devine attributes into English : an analysis on ‘Baseer’ in Sura al-Isra’

الملخص EN

This study aims to investigate the translation of one of the Devine attributes in Quran, the word baseer whether its translation achieves optimal relevance or otherwise.

it employed a qualitative method using content analysis technique based on relevance theory, which is basically applied in communication field, in analyzing the translation of the word 'baseer' in surah al-Isra’ to investigate how the meaning of baseer is rendered in in three well-known Quran translations in English language by Abdel Haleem, Pickthall and George sale.

this study shows that there are differences in the translation of baseer among the three target texts.

if viewed from the point of relevance theory, most of its translations do not achieve optimal relevance, because the meanings given by the translators do not support the meaning meant by the nature of Allah.

this indicates that absolute equivalence could never been achieved when translating specific words of the Quran and in this study, the translation of Devine attributes sometimes does not achieve optimal relevance.

therefore, the translator may select the closest natural equivalence of the meaning of the attribute.