The paper titled "Inconsistent Linguistic Functional Behaviours of Particle هل in the Holy Quran: A Critique of the Holy Quran Translation" focuses on the linguistic analysis and critique of how the particle "هل" is translated in the Quran. The study addresses the common misconception that "هل" functions solely as an interrogative particle, challenging this view by exploring its other significant linguistic roles, including corroborative, negative, and imperative functions.
The purpose of the study is to bring attention to the overlooked linguistic functions of "هل" in Quranic translations, arguing that these mistranslations arise from a lack of awareness among translators about the particle's varied functions. The paper aims to provide a deeper understanding of "هل" to improve the accuracy of Quranic translations.
The methodology employed in this study involves a detailed examination of the most widely-read Quranic translations, analyzing how the particle "هل" has been consistently misinterpreted or uniformly treated across different contexts. This critique is based on a thorough linguistic analysis of the different roles "هل" plays within the Quranic text.
Key findings of the study reveal that translators often fail to account for the particle's diverse functions, leading to inaccuracies in the translations. Specifically, the study identifies that "هل" is not merely an interrogative particle but also serves corroborative, negative, and imperative purposes, which have largely been ignored in translations.
In conclusion, the study emphasizes the need for a more nuanced understanding of "هل" among translators to ensure that the multifaceted nature of this particle is accurately reflected in Quranic translations. The paper suggests that its findings could serve as a foundational reference for future research and translation efforts, encouraging scholars to further explore the linguistic complexities of Quranic particles.