Abdullah Yusuf Ali’s Translation of Explicit Metaphors in Surah Al-Baqarah: An Analytical Study in the Light of Mona Baker’s Translation Strategies

ترجمةُ عبدِ اللهِ يوسفَ علي للاستعارات التصريحية في سورة البقرة: دراسة تحليلية في ضوء استراتيجيات الترجمة لـ "مونا بيكر "

Abstract

This study examines Abdullah Yusuf Ali's English translation of explicit metaphors "isti'ārāttaṣrīḥiyyah" in Surah Al-Baqarah, an analytical study in light of Mona Baker's translation strategies. Metaphor is one of the most prominent rhetorical devices in the Qur'an, carrying profound meanings that extend beyond literal sense into precise imagistic and connotative dimensions. The difficulty in rendering these metaphors into English lies in preserving their semantic and aesthetic dimensions without compromising the intended Qur'anic meaning. The research draws on the model proposed by Mona Baker in her book In Other Words, and the strategies it offers for addressing problems of non-equivalence at word level and above word level. The study surveys selected examples of explicit metaphors in Surah Al-Baqarah and compares them with Yusuf Ali's translation to identify the strategy employed in each instance. It also draws on the views of classical exegetes to establish the intended metaphorical meaning before evaluating the translation. The study reveals instances in which the translation successfully conveyed the rhetorical image, as well as others marked by semantic or aesthetic shortcomings. The study concludes with a set of recommendations for improving the translation of Qur'anic metaphors based on Mona Baker's model.