Author: Prof. Aliyy Abolaji Abdurr-Razaq
Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Islamic University, Say, Republic of Niger
Date: 01/11/2025
The Yoruba tribe is among the most prominent Muslim ethnic groups in both Nigeria and Benin respectively. However, the meanings of the Qur’an have been translated into the Yoruba language for more than five decades in various versions, one of which earned the honor of being printed by the King Fahd Complex for the Printing of the Holy Qur’an in Madinah. Despite the great value of this officially approved version, it is not free from missing the targets arising from insufficient attention to the cultural differences between Arabic and Yoruba. The researcher therefore sought to address these issues through a pragmatic approach, with the hope that the compilers of this translation may consider these observations in future editions. The study adopted a descriptive-analytical method, describing the problems resulting from linguistic and cultural differences between Arabic and Yoruba, and analyzing them through pragmatic and textual approaches. The major findings of the study include the following:
1. The translators relied primarily on their Islamic knowledge across various fields.
2. They also depended on their general (non-specialized linguistic) knowledge of both languages.
3. The absence of specialized linguistic expertise in different subfields led to the cultural and linguistic problems discussed in the study.
Download PDF