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From: saadat@tcgould.TN.CORNELL.EDU (Irfan Saadat)
Newsgroups: soc.religion.islam
Subject: Quran's translation on computer
Message-ID: <7809@wpi.wpi.edu>
Date: 7 Feb 90 02:26:46 GMT
Sender: shari@wpi.wpi.edu
Lines: 30
Approved: shari@wpi.edu


Locally in Cornell university the Muslim group decided to compare the different
translations of Quran during the regular weekly Quran study hour. The
comparison was done between Yousuf Ali and A.H. Shakir. The first unanimous
result was that Shakir's one is much easier to understand, it is written in
everyday English, in comparison to Yousuf Ali which uses old English.

Within the study group there are people who are fluent in Arabic, as well as
people whose 1st language is English and they have studied the bible 
extensively before converting to Islam. Here is a summary of their opinions:

1) One group among the converts say that Ali translation is better because
the English is like the Bible's English and a person feels the significance
of the Quran (due to their preIslamic bible influence).

2) A second group among the converts say that a lot of modern English speaking
people do not read the old bible, rather the simplified modern English Bible,
therefore it is better to use Shakir's trans.

3) The others whose language is not English prefer Shakir for its simple 
English.

Personally speaking I think Shakir's is easier to understand, BUT some places
it can not give the whole meaning the way the Arabic text gives or even Ali's
gives.

Finally we have 4-5 volunteers who are ready to type the translation, whichever
is picked. Most people locally prefer Shakir' version.

Irfan