Complex predicates and Inceptive verbs in Arabic syntax: A functional-semantic study regarding ten English translations of Quran,7:22

Abstract

This paper examines complex predicates in Arabic as well as their translation strategies into English.  However, the scope of this study is on the Arabic inceptive verbs that characterize the initiation of action. The theoretical frameworks used to analyze the data include a triangulation of Al-Samarra’i, Krzeszowski, and Halliday. The analysis concerns one token,  ṭafiqa (طَفِقَ). It functions as a discourse-structuring element that reflects immediacy and continuity accompanied by imperfect verbs. The data include a case study involving ten English translations of the Qur’anic verse {وَطَفِقَا يَخْصِفَانِ عَلَيْهِمَا مِنْ وَرَقِ الْجَنَّةِ} (Al-A‘rāf 7:22). The analysis reveals that the rendering of these inceptive verbs has different representations in English. The discrepancies resulting from their renditions reflect the linguistic and cognitive complexity of such constructions. Lexical economy and expressive precision are consolidated through the use of these inceptive verbs. Furthermore, the inceptive verbs conceptualize the metaphors of emergence and intentionality, representing a challenge to translators.