Quran Translation, Not An Easy Task

Head of the Center for Coordinating Translation and Publication of Islamic Teachings and Humanities (CCTPITH) said the Quran's literary features including its eloquence make its translation difficult.

Ali Dehgahi made the remark in a forum held Tuesday at the Islamic Culture and Relations Organization to investigate the renderings of the Holy Quran in English.
He added that despite the difficulties, the Quran should be translated in different languages because it is a message to all humanity.
Referring to the history of Quran translation, Dehgahi noted that the Revelation was first translated by Salman Farsi during the lifetime of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
He said Salman Farsi for the first time rendered Surah al-Hamd and parts of Surah Maryam (Mary) into Persian.
CCTPITH chief added that the first renderings of the Quran into European languages were done in Latin in the 12th century A.D.
He said while it was a flawed rendering, the Latin translation remained the source for other renderings for around 400 years until the 17th century when the first translation of the Quran in French was published.
He underlined that the highest number of translations, interpretations and books written about a religious text belong to Muslim's Holy Book.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Dehgahi referred to the upcoming international seminar on translations of the Quran and said it will be organized by Allameh Tabatabaee University in December.
http://www.iqna.ir/fa/News/1436322