Ambiguity in the Translation of Quranic Euphemisms Into the Malay Language

Background and Purpose: Translators encounter significant challenges when dealing with the structures of Quranic euphemisms, particularly in effectively avoiding ambiguity of meanings in the target text. This study aims to investigate ambiguity in the translation of Quranic euphemisms into the Malay language and identify effective approaches to address it. Methodology: The present study employed a descriptive analysis, adapting Olimat’s (2018) Evaluation Model of Euphemism Translation in the Quran and Newmark’s (1981) Semantic and Communicative Theory. Six samples were meticulously chosen with the purpose of effectively capturing ambiguities in the translation of texts related to the domain of sexuality. This study presents each Quranic euphemism in its original Malay translation and a literal English translation, aiming to enhance comprehension and promote a deeper appreciation of the nuances and subtleties in the translation of Quranic euphemisms. Findings: The findings revealed notable deficiencies in accurately conveying the intended meaning in certain translations, despite the implementation of parentheses to facilitate explicitation. Additionally, some translations fell short of fulfilling the lexical function of the words, leading to discrepancies and insufficiencies of information in communicating the contextual meaning. Furthermore, certain translations did not align with the target language context. Contributions: Translators need to employ strategies such as contextual analysis, cultural adaptation, and clarification through additional explanatory to minimize ambiguity in the translated text. Overall, five main aspects need to be considered in the translation of Quranic euphemisms: conveying the true meaning, adherence to grammar rules, effectiveness in word selection, preservation of euphemistic style, and appropriateness of translation approaches. The findings of this study offer valuable insights to Quran translators, specifically those involved in the field of Arabic-Malay translation and pave the way for future advancements. Keywords: Ambiguity, Quran translation, Quranic euphemisms, translation approach, translation quality. Cite as: Mohd Saad, M. L. I. H., Ab Halim, Z., Rouyan, N. M., & Zakaria, R. (2024). Ambiguity in the translation of Quranic euphemisms into the Malay language. Journal of Nusantara Studies, 9(1), 74-96. http://dx.doi.org/10.24200/jonus.vol9iss1pp74-96