QiST: Journal of Quran and Tafseer Studies
Vol. 5 No. 2 (2026): August

Measuring Connotative Meaning in English Translations of the Holy Qur'an: A Semantic and Applied Analysis

Alhaj, Ali Albashir Mohammed (Unknown)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Mar 2026

Abstract

In a systematic semantic and applied analysis, this study investigates the transfer of connotative meaning in the English translations of the meanings of the Holy Qur'an. Instead of applying an instrument that treats Qur'anic connotation in isolation as subjective or impressionistic, the research introduces and operates a three-level gradational measurement instrument (weak, moderate, and strong) to measure the strength with which translations preserve rhetorical power, symbolic complexity, and pragmatic aim. Employing a qualitative descriptive-analytical approach, the study employs semantic analysis, rhetorical analysis, as well as contextual-pragmatic interpretation, to compare verses in selected Qur'anic texts with their English translations. This study reveals that comparatively weak connotative transfer frequently corresponds with literal, denotative translation styles in which speakers use surface lexical matching of expressions while minimizing imagery and discourse-level connotative meaning. Meaningfully, moderate transfer is partial success in communicating emotional or imagistic impact, while strong transfer reflects the symbolic, doctrinal, and ideological impact of the Qur'anic text by interpreting based on knowledgeable decision making. The study thus establishes and demonstrates the extent to which Qur'anic connotative meaning can be extracted and disentangled from subjective interpretation judgments, and that analysis for interpretation is a method of tackling this problem, which is currently an inadequate area of translation studies in Qur'an. The results provide a theoretically-grounded foundation for translation studies that enables comparison in translation work and provide an empirical basis for translators, researchers, and educators dealing with semantic fidelity and pragmatic adequacy during translation of sacred texts as they practice their profession.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

qist

Publisher

Subject

Religion Humanities Environmental Science Law, Crime, Criminology & Criminal Justice Social Sciences Other

Description

QiST: Journal of Quran and Tafseer Studies is a peer-reviewed journal dedicated to publishing the scholarly study of the Quran from many different perspectives. Particular attention is paid to the works dealing with: Quranic Studies, Quranic sciences, Living Quran, Quranic Studies across different ...