I am an American expat living in the Arabian peninsula. If you're curious about the Koran and don't read Arabic, good luck. It's not easy to find one in translation, and the translations are very bad--it's like they're translated word for word, rather than thought for thought. The first poster knew what he's talking about; Muslim converts really must learn Arabic to read the Koran; Koran translation is a very small field, unlike for example Bible translation. From a historical linguistic perspective, this is one of the factors that has aided in the spread of the Arabic language.--jtnelson |
I am an American expat living in the Arabian peninsula. If you're curious about the Koran and don't read Arabic, good luck. It's not easy to find one in translation, and the translations are very bad--it's like they're translated word for word, rather than thought for thought. Converts to Islam really must learn Arabic to read the Koran; Koran translation is a very small field, unlike for example Bible translation. From a historical linguistic perspective, this is one of the factors that has aided in the spread of the Arabic language.--jtnelson |
|
This surely can't be literally true as written. The Koran is not read in translation? At all? Or is it that translations are read by non-Arabic Muslims, but with the understanding that what is being read is a mere commentary or interpretation rather than the direct word of God?
It seems to me that the latter must be closer to the truth, else how could the religion have a sizable following in non-Arabic countries? But I confess to having no actual knowledge on this point. --Jimbo Wales
Would a list of other languages spoken by large Muslim communities be out of place? --Damian Yerrick
When I learned this in school, it was mentioned that this was a challenge for africans and iranians because they don't speak arabic. However, I think we have already established that many arabs *don't* take offense to this, so I bet we're okay! --Alan D
IIRC, Islam holds that the Koran itself can never be translated. Any translation is a translation of the meaning of the Koran - a subtle distinction that is important to them - clasqm
While I agree that a page on this subject may be appropriate, I question the list of "languages used by Muslims". It would be absurd to have a Wikipedia entry on "languages used by Christians", right?
168.143.112.xxx's special little addition earned itself a place here
Muslim language is languishing. I don't think it's "finished", and nobody's doing anything with it. Anybody care to give it a shot?