Comparing Dynamic and Formal Equivalence in Three English Translations of Nahj al-Balagha: A Study of Selected Letters

The translation of religious texts plays a crucial role within the translators’ community, prompting many translators to strive for the most appropriate equivalents in order to convey the themes and ideas as comprehensively as possible. The primary objective of the present study was to investigate the differences in equivalence among translators while translating twenty conveniently selected letters from Nahj al-Balagha from the original to the target text. Specifically, it aimed to determine whether the three English translations of Nahj al-Balagha by Mohammad Askari Jafari, Morteza Motahhari, and Sayed Ali Reza convey the same message. In this context, the research sought to identify any significant differences in equivalence among the three Persian-to-English translations by these translators. Nida’s (1964) model of equivalence served as the framework for the study, allowing a comparison of the three English translations of letters 40 to 60. This analysis focused on identifying the types of equivalence used based on Nida’s distinctions between dynamic and formal equivalence. The results indicated significant differences among the three translations: Sayed Ali Reza’s and Motahhari’s translations were notably more formal in tone, while Askari Jafari's translation was characterized as dynamic. These findings can be informative for readers interested in further research on the translation of religious texts, including Nahj al-Balagha.

Comparing Dynamic and Formal Equivalence in Three English Translations of Nahj al-Balagha: A Study of Selected Letters Keywords:

Dynamic equivalence , equivalence , Formal equivalence , Nahj AL-Balagha , Religious texts