Ideological Aspects in Religious Texts: A Critical Analysis of George Sale’s Translation of the Holy Qur’an

Abstract

Objectives: This study meticulously explores the ideological aspects of Sale's translation of Holy Qur'an, focusing on twelve samples from diverse chapters: The Cow, The Prophets, The Bees, Cattle, The Wind (Curved Sandhills), The Rock, The Letter Sad, and The Troops. These chapters share a thematic unity that emphasizes the universality of Islam for a global audience. Methods: The research is grounded in Van Dijk's (2013) Theory of Ideology and House's (2014) Theory of Translation Quality Assessment. It examines both macro (field, tenor, mode) and micro (lexical) elements. Results: The analysis reveals consistent stereotypical patterns in Sale's translation, which appears to be narrowly focused on Arab people, particularly those of Mecca. This is in contrast to the universal message of Islam, which transcends racial boundaries. Despite the limited scope of examining a specific set of verses, this study serves as a catalyst for future research, encouraging broader explorations of various themes within Sale's Qur'an translation. Conclusion: The study underscores the importance of critically evaluating the ideological nuances in translated sacred texts to achieve a general understanding of religious text translations.