Loss and Gain in Translation: A Comparative Study between Three Translations of Surat “An-Naas”

Abstract

The present study seeks to highlight the principle of loss and gain with reference to the translationof the Holy Quran through the analysis of three translations of Surat “An-Naas”. The translation of the Holy Quran from Arberry (1964), Yusuf Ali (1975), and Mahmoud Ghali (2002) were selected. The study is based upon a descriptive qualitative method where the writer collects the data, matches, examines and then analyses the results through using comparative method which compares (ST) to (TT). The linguistic and extra linguistic factors behind the phenomenon of loss and gain have been examined along with suggesting some solutions on how to reduce the first and enhance the second. Subsequently, a comparative study between the three versions of Surat “An-Naas” is adopted. The results of the study reveal that the methods followed by the translators vary, and the analysis shows that the loss is highly expected in the translation of the holy Quran and the gain is a mere attempt to approximate meaning.