The Bible in Arabic - Translational Trends, and the Issue of 'Islamic Arabic' Usage

Abstract

For more than a thousand years, the Bible has undergone numerous translations into Arabic, either in its entirety or in portions. Since the emergence of the Arabic Bible around the eighth or ninth century CE, this translation tradition has showcased a captivating array of styles and linguistic approaches. Amidst this fascinating diversity, a particular aspect has recently drawn the focus of certain scholars examining Christian Arabic biblical (and non-biblical) texts: the presence of what they perceive as 'Islamic/Quranic Arabic'. This thesis critically examines the rich and diverse tradition of Arabic Christianity, aiming to provide a comprehensive perspective on its linguistic and translational heterogeneity. The objective is to deepen our understanding of this tradition, with a specific emphasis on a critical evaluation of the category 'Islamic Arabic'. This examination will be accomplished through textual and contextual analyses of various Arabic Christian texts, placing particular emphasis on biblical translation, involving an in-depth examination of twelve Arabic biblical translations spanning diverse geographical, temporal, and denominational contexts. In light of this critical examination, this thesis proposes that the translational and linguistic diversity, including the presence or absence of the so-called 'Islamic Arabic', can be attributed to the influence of certain major norms that have influenced the Arabic Christian tradition. Furthermore, the analyses undertaken in this thesis reveal that the manner in which these norms were approached in various Arabic Christian contexts may have implications regarding questions of unique linguistic culture (or elements) and linguistic integration with the surrounding speech community, or distinctiveness from it, giving rise to a religion-based style of the language, or 'religiolect'. Furthermore, through a critical examination of Arabic Christian linguistic usage in textual content, this thesis aims to elucidate the problematic nature of prevailing scholarly perspectives regarding the use of the so-called 'Islamic Arabic'. Such perspectives often portray this linguistic phenomenon within Christian texts as anomalous and primarily confined to a specific historical period. In contrast, this thesis reveals that the usage of this so-called Islamic Arabic is not anomalous but rather indicative of the nuanced cultural circumstances and enduring linguistic diversity inherent within Arabic Christian traditions. Drawing primarily on the perspectives offered by Translation Studies, this research examines translational styles within Christian Arabic biblical and non-biblical texts, highlighting how language-related cultural expectations are navigated across different domains within the Arabic context, and examining processes of both cultural isolation and integration within a cultural landscape dominated by Muslim-established linguistic conventions. Additionally, incorporating secondary insights from sociolinguistics has proven particularly illuminating in understanding this socio-linguistic dimension. Incorporating these theoretical frameworks, this thesis reveals that the diverse linguistic and translational styles within Christian Arabic biblical and non-biblical traditions represent a complex cultural dynamic interaction that has persisted throughout the history of Arabic Christianity.