Beyond Literal Meaning: Translation Techniques and Functional Equivalence in the English Translation of Surah Al-Fatihah in the Mushaf Al Jamil

Abstract

Quranic translation is a complex cross-linguistic and cross-cultural activity that must preserve theological content while retaining the rhetorical beauty of the source text. Surah Al-Fatihah, as the opening chapter recited repeatedly in prayer, poses particular challenges due to its dense meaning within a concise verse structure. This study aims to describe the translation techniques employed in the English translation of Surah Al-Fatihah in Mushaf Al Jamil, published by Cipta Bagus Segara, and to evaluate the extent of its functional equivalence to the Arabic source text. The study employed a descriptive qualitative approach using content analysis and contrastive analysis, drawing on Molina and Albir's (2002) translation technique typology and Nida's (1964) dynamic-functional equivalence together with Newmark's (1988) notion of functional equivalent. Data comprising the seven verses of the source and target texts were analyzed at the lexical, grammatical, and pragmatic-theological levels, then triangulated against two authoritative translations (Saheeh International and Abdel Haleem). The findings show that established equivalence (31.1%) and literal translation (24.4%) were the most dominant techniques, followed by transposition (15.6%), modulation (11.1%), amplification (8.9%), borrowing (4.4%), and reduction (4.4%). Overall, the translation in Mushaf Al Jamil achieves adequate functional equivalence: the referential and pragmatic-theological meanings of the source text are preserved despite grammatical shifts, supported by the paratextual apparatus of word-for-word translation, concise exegesis, and asbabun nuzul accompanying the mushaf. These findings reinforce the view that equivalence in sacred text translation is not necessarily formal but depends on the acceptability of the message to the target reader.