Abdullah Yusuf Ali’s Translation of Similes in Surah Al-Baqarah: An Analytical Study in the Light of Eugene Nida’s Translation Theories

ترجمة "عبد الله يوسف علي " الإنجليزية للتشبيهات في سورة البقرة (دراسة تحليلية في ضوء نظريات الترجمة لـ " يوجين نايدا")

Abstract

This study examines Abdullah Yusuf Ali's English translation of similes "tashbīhāt" in Surah Al-Baqarah. Similes constitute a vital rhetorical device in Qur'anic discourse, conveying meaning through vivid sensory imagery. Translating such figures across linguistic and cultural boundaries poses significant challenges for translators of the Qur'an. The research applies Eugene Nida's translation theories, particularly Formal Equivalence, Dynamic Equivalence, and the Closest Natural Equivalent. It analyzes selected simile verses from Surah Al-Baqarah, comparing the Arabic source text with Yusuf Ali's English rendering. The study evaluates the extent to which the translation preserves the rhetorical force, imagery, and theological nuance of the original. Classical exegetical sources are consulted to establish the intended meaning of each simile before assessing translational choices. Findings reveal patterns of both successful equivalence and instances of semantic or aesthetic loss in the target text. The study concludes with recommendations for improving Qur'anic simile translation using Nida's equivalence framework.