ENGLISH QUR’ĀN TRANSLATORS’ RESPONSES TO PAUSING SIGNS, AL-WAQF WA AL-ʾIBTIDĀʾ

Abstract

The pause (waqf) is an important punctuation signal in the text of the Qur’ān. There are six such signs: i. an obligatory pause; ii. prohibition of a pause; iii. a pause at the discretion of reciter; iv. a pause is permitted, but continuation is preferable; v. continuation is permissible, but a pause is preferable; and vi. alternative grouping of words. These are relevant to the understanding of the Qur’ān, so have a role in understanding the main branches of Qur’ānic hermeneutics— namely, muḥkam and mutashābih (clear and ambiguous verses). Self-evidently, they are an important guide to the syntactic structure of the text of the Qur’ān for anyone concerned with rendering its meaning in another language. One of the most fruitful aspects of this neglected discipline of the Qur’ānic sciences can be observed in the differences between various Qur’ān translations. This article focuses on the frequently used 20 English translations—of the introduction and main texts—to understand and critically analyse translators’ general awareness of the notion of the waqf in the context of the translation of selected verses. Although the translators have not followed a certain pattern regarding the locations of the pauses, they appear to have been aware of this concept and tried to demonstrate how this notion contributes to the translations. Nevertheless, compared to recent translations, earlier translations (19th and early 20th centuries) suggest that translators have not paid enough attention to this concept.