Koran translations

Submitted by Ugri (Finland), Jan 13, 2009 at 04:45

English is my fourth language so I have not the same advantage as the native speakers in judging the relative merits of different translations of the Koran. What however strikes me as odd is the overall 'antique' flavor of the English language in specimens I have come across. An idea creeps into the mind that the translators have deliberately avoided using normal English prose in order to obfuscate the brutal message many times built into the text — which often is downright obscure.

As to the English Bible translations, there exist a number of editions written in plain everyday language ( see e.g. BibleGateway.com ). An example:

John 14:6 Jesus answered, I am the way and the truth and the life. No-one comes to the Father except through me. (New International Version - UK)

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