Linguistically Translation Resistance of the Quran as a Literary Text

Abstract

This paper studies the Quran as a literary text. First, it reviews the permit for (not) translating Quran and juxtaposes the proponents' and opponents' positions. After reviewing literature, this paper mentions the methods underlying the literary translation in brief. Finally, the postulate of Quran's untranslatability is examined by Quranic instances taken from over ten different Persian and three English translations from linguistic point of view (mostly phonology) and rhetoric. These include, among others, alliteration, minimal sets, words play, rhyme, rhythm. In the end, it is concluded that the Quranic subtle linguistic and complex rhetorical problems, if not completely untranslatable, remain resistant to translation.