‘Signal Words’ in the English and the Persian Translations of the Holy Quran: a case study of Surah Ya-Sin

Theoretically and empirically, it has been assumed that textual signals affect the retention and comprehension of the text. This study highlights the use of transitional words and phrases - the so-called signal words in the English and the Persian translations of Surah Ya-Sin. Five common types of signal words including : Emphasis words, Addition words, Cause and Effect words, Comparison words , Contrast words and illustration words were explored in the English translation of Surah Ya-Sin by Marmaduke Pickthall as well as the Persian translation of the same Surah by Elahi Ghomshei aiming at answering these two questions : firstly, in which of these two translations have more signal words been used, and secondly, which signal words have occurred the most. The obtained results do not show a significant difference between these two translations in terms of the type and number of signal words used. Though, the most widely used signal words are: Addition words and Cause & Effect words in the data.

Keywords:

signal words , translation of Surah Ya-Sin , Marmaduke Pickthall , Elahi Ghomshei