Rendering Emphatic Skopos in the English Qur'an translation: The Case of Surat Yusuf

Emphasis is a key linguistic feature of Qur'anic Arabic that significantly enhances the function of verses in the Holy Qur'an. Understanding how these emphatic devices are translated is crucial for preserving their intended impact. The purpose of this paper is to analyze how emphatic devices in Surat Yusuf are translated, employing a descriptive functional approach grounded in Hans Vermeer’s (2012) Skopos Theory. This theory emphasizes the translator’s purpose and the necessity of coherence and loyalty in the target text for successful translation. The study examines three translations: Abdullah Yusuf Ali (1934) (TT1), Taqi-ud-Din Hilali and Mohsin Khan (1924) (TT2), and Muhammad Marmaduke Pickthall (1930) (TT3). A qualitative analysis of selected samples assesses whether the functions of the original emphatic devices are effectively conveyed in the translations. The analysis reveals that the translators largely succeeded in expressing the main functions of the emphatic devices through strategies such as literal translation, addition, and compensation. However, some loss of emphatic functions emerged due to omissions stemming from misunderstandings of the devices’ intended roles. This study highlights the importance of translator awareness of emphatic functions and suggests avenues for future research to further explore the nuances of translation fidelity and audience engagement in Qur'anic texts. This paper contributes new insights into the translation of Qur'anic emphasis, demonstrating the balance between fidelity to the original text and the need for emotional resonance in translations, which is valuable for scholars and translators alike.