A SKOPOS THEORY BASED TRANSLATION ANALYSIS OF SURAH AT-TAGHABUN: A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF URDU TRANSLATION BY JAVED AHMAD GHAMIDI AND MUFTI TAQI USMANI (AYAT 1-18)

Abstract

In this study, a comparative translation analysis of selected verses (Ayat 1-18) of Surah At-Taghabun has been conducted by using Skopos Theory, while the Urdu translations of Javed Ahmad Ghamidi and Muhammad Taqi Usmani have been taken. This research aims to explore the strategies of both type of translators for the purpose of translation of the Qur'anic text in Urdu. The selected verses are analyzed using qualitative comparative methodology and the analytical framework of Skopos Theory which consists of Skopos (SK), Audience Orientation (AO), Literal Translation (LT), Interpretive Translation (IT), Functional Equivalence (FE), Fidelity (FD), Coherence (CO), Explicitation (EX), Translator's Role (TR), and Contextual Adaptation (CA). The analysis shows that even both translations are faithful to the semantic and theological meaning of the Arabic source text, but they are different from each other in terms of purpose, stylistic approach and audience. Ghamidi's translation has sought mostly for coherence, readability, conceptual clarity, and contextual adaptation for contemporary readers of Urdu. Taqi Usmani on the other hand translates the Qur'an with a greater emphasis on literal accuracy, maintaining the rhetorical structure of the Arabic language, and a traditional devotional style. The findings also indicate that there are functional and Skopos differences between the two translations, not doctrinal ones. Based on the findings of the study, Skopos Theory is an effective theory in the study of variation in Qur'anic translation because it has shown how the purpose of translation and the target language influence in the choice of linguistic, stylistic, and interpretative aspects of translation. Furthermore, the research advances and enriches the field of Translation Studies by providing a systematic verse-wise comparative study of Urdu Qur’anic translation based on a well-designed and well-structured coding framework of Skopos theory.