The realization of time metaphors and the cultural implications : An analysis of the Quran and English Quranic translations

Abstract: The aims of this paper were to contrast English usages of 'time' metaphors with Quranic Arabic realizations and their representations in three English Quranic translations. Three noted translations of the Quran were used, namely, those done by, Pickthall, Yusuf Ali and Asad ('Quran Search,' 2007). Using the cognitive theory of metaphor as a framework (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980), these translations were examined and contrasted, in order to distinguish the version that corresponded the most accurately with the conceptual metaphors found in both languages. If the examined conceptual metaphor was not realized in either language, changes to the meaning of the Quran were taken into consideration. Finally, historical, social and religious aspects were examined in order to determine the cause of certain conceptual metaphor realizations in both or one of the languages. Materials taken from Lakoff & Johnson (1980b), Lakoff (1994), Kövecses (2002), and Kövecses (2006) gave insight into the social-historical reasons behind the metaphor realizations in English while Quranic references and hadiths, or Prophetic narrations, were considered when examining the Quran. Two conceptual metaphors were tentatively concluded to be universal and two other metaphors were realized differently on the basis of differing cultural values. Culture in this context referred to the 'mental representations' of certain phenomena of a culture through the language (Kövecses, 2006, p.135). The translations done by Yusuf Ali and Pickthall were considered to be more literal and thus more accurate renderings of metaphors in the Quran, within the cognitive theory of metaphor framework, while Asad's translations were considered to be less accurate, containing, on the whole, more paraphrasing and individual interpretation. It was pointed out, however, that this is a sample study that cannot entirely represent the complete works of the authors mentioned. It was suggested that more studies need to be conducted in order to conclusively establish these findings.