Qualifications of a Translator

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Abstract

This article deals with the concerns in securing sound meaning in translation, specially, the translation of the Qur'an. Thereby, certain issues such as: need for translation; interpretational translation; meaning-oriented approach; significance of semantic equivalence in translation; and the translator's do's and don'ts are presented in the following four categories: 1. textology along with subsets such as translator's cultural self-censorship; text as translation unit; knowledge of Arabic language and the related fields; familiarity with the Qur'anic sciences; paying attention to the semantic consistency of the verses; traditionology, and topicology, 2. expertise in the source language and the secret of its importance, 3. translator's specialty in theories and practical experience of translation and authorship, 4. group interaction and participation of experts in doing translation. In conclusion, lack of fidelity in effectual rendering of the verses in existing translations is also touched upon.