Literary Study of Quran for ESL Students

Literary Study`of Quran for ESL Students

by Lubna Almenoar, PhD

I have had experience in teaching English to students at the primary, secondary and undergraduate levels. I have taught English to students coming from various racial and cultural backgrounds, namely, Arab, Chinese, Malay, Bengali, Pakistani, Indian, Spanish, and Mexican. I have also established the ESL and Tutorial Programmes in a number of schools in both Malaysia and America. She has served as an ESL Coordinator and ESL Department Head while extending consultancy services, writing the ESL curriculum, selecting textbooks, training,`supervision, observation and evaluation of teachers and paraprofessionals, and implementing the infrastructure of my ESL Programme.

I have been trained to coordinate and administer a state-mandated placement test for schools-English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) at the Michigan Department of Education. I have also been trained to coordinate and implement the SIOP model (Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol) in ESL Programmes at Wayne Resa, Michigan, USA.

My research is in the field of using English language translations of the Quran as material for the teaching of English language and literature to non-native English speakers. I have done extensive work in this area since 1992, and I have accumulated many case studies and classroom observations. Starting from the experience of substituting sections from the Quran for the standard classroom text, I have employed various pedagogical approaches to teaching the Quran as literature -- questionnaires, stylistic analysis, comparative studies of different English language translations, linguistic analysis of verses, and so on. I have also organized a forum on this topic with experts in the field.

In doing all of this, my intention was not to look at the religious value of the verses, but at the literary value that is so abundant in both the English language translations and the original. I have been able to prepare 22 full text articles, based on the data from my classroom experiences.

I publish and share my research-based findings internationally here in a series or on a platform. The possible fields for collective publication are many: Education, ESL, Literature, English Language Teaching, Literary Texts, Linguistics, Pedagogy, Stylistics, Humanities-Education and Religious Studies, Comparative Studies, Intercultural Studies.

Below is the list of articles with a brief description of each article and a list of 5 keywords for each article:

1. Quranic Verses in English for Academic Purpose

Keywords: Literary Text; Quranic Imagery; Literature; Figurative Language; English language Translations of the Quran.

This paper is essentially a discussion of the language and literary aspects of the English language translations of the meaning of the Quran in relation to the original Arabic text. It also seeks to establish the suitability of the English language translations of the meaning of the Quran as literary texts in the teaching of imagery, especially at Islamic institutions

2.Beauty in the Wealth of Literary Quranic Eloquence

Keywords: Literary Text; Quranic Imagery; Literature; Figurative Language; English language Translations of the Quran.

This paper is essentially a discussion of the language and literary aspects of the English language translations of the meaning of the Quran in relation to the original Arabic text. A closer look at the presence of figurative language and literary devices embedded in the description of each Quranic image was done. The translators of the original Quran, in striving to capture every element of descriptive meaning of the Quranic images in English, have managed leave their readers in awe.

3.Groundwork and Preparation for Using Quranic Imagery

Keywords: Literary Text; Quranic Imagery; Literature; Figurative Language; English language Translations of the Quran.

This paper seeks to establish the suitability of the English language translations of the meaning of the Quran as literary texts in the teaching of imagery, especially at Islamic institutions.Extensive research work from books as well as consultations with experts in the field of Islamic Studies, has lent sufficient grounds for hope that it will be successful enough to open doors to incorporate the English translated versions of the Quran in the English language and Literature curriculum.

4.A Foundation on Teaching Imagery

Keywords: Literary Text; Quranic Imagery; Literature; Figurative Language; English language Translations of the Quran.

This paper is essentially an illustration to teachers of the English language and Literature or a useful foundation lesson on Imagery. Five groups of various levels were taught the foundation lesson or introductory lesson on imagery. Assignments were given to derive data for the evaluation of the level of understanding of the lessons on imagery. An analysis of the data from the assignments shows a high level of understanding of the lessons on imagery by the five groups of students.

5.*Quranic Imagery in English and the Senses (published in CDELT Journal, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, Volume 47 October, 2008.)

Keywords: Literary Text; Quranic Imagery; Literature; Figurative Language; English language Translations of the Quran.

The technique-The Senses for teaching imagery has been selected to accommodate the text (Quranic images). The group of students was taught imagery using one technique covering 2 class sessions. Assignments were given to derive data for the evaluation of the lessons on imagery shows a high level of understanding of the lessons taught.

6.*Illustrating and Designing Quranic Imagery (Published in JAASEP,USA-Fall 2009)

Keywords: Literary Text; Quranic Imagery; Literature; Figurative Language; English language Translations of the Quran.

The technique-Illustrating and Designing for teaching imagery has been selected to accommodate the text (Quranic images).The group of students was taught imagery using one technique covering 2 class sessions. Assignments were given to derive data for an evaluation An analysis of the data from the assignments shows a high level of understanding of the lessons on imagery.

7.Building Up Quranic Imagery From Memory

Keywords: Literary Text; Quranic Imagery Literature; Figurative Language; English language Translations of the Quran.

The technique-Building up from Memory for teaching imagery has been selected to accommodate the text (Quranic images).The group of students was taught imagery using one technique covering 2 class sessions. Assignments were given to derive data for an evaluation An analysis of the data from the assignments shows a high level of understanding of the lessons on imagery.

8.Pictures of Quranic Imagery in the Mind

Keywords: Literary Text; Quranic Imagery; Literature; Figurative Language; English language Translations of the Quran.

The technique-Pictures in the Mind for teaching imagery has been selected to accommodate the text (Quranic images).The group of students was taught imagery using one technique covering 2 class sessions. Assignments were given to derive data for an evaluation An analysis of the data from the assignments shows a high level of understanding of the lessons on imagery.

9.Visualization of Quranic Imagery

Keywords: Literary Text; Quranic Imagery; Literature; Figurative Language; English language Translations of the Quran.

The technique-Visualization for teaching imagery has been selected to accommodate the text (Quranic images).The group of students was taught imagery using one technique covering 2 class sessions. Assignments were given to derive data for an evaluation An analysis of the data from the assignments shows a high level of understanding of the lessons on imagery.

10.The Acceptance of an Alternative Literary Text

Keywords: Literary Text; Quranic Imagery; Literature; Figurative Language; English language Translations of the Quran; Questionnaire Analysis

Selected verses from Abdullah Yusuf Ali’s English language translation of the meaning of the Quran have been used as literary texts to teach both descriptive and figurative imagery (including similes, metaphors and symbols) to undergraduate students at an Islamic institution. Questionnaires were distributed to evaluate the acceptance of the text and understanding of imagery through the use of the text. An analysis of the data shows a significant level of acceptance of the text.

11.*An Introduction to Literary Quranic Stylistics (accepted for publication in JAASEP, USA-Winter 2010)

Keywords: Literary Text; Linguistics; Literature; Stylistics; English language Translations of the Quran.

This paper is an attempt to create an awareness of the linguistic features present in the English language translations of the meaning of the Quran. The Surah (chapters of the Quran) in the English translated versions of the Quran prove to contain a rich variety of linguistic features. The use of literary texts has been limited to mostly Western sources. Using the English language translations of the Quran as literary texts in the Literature classroom is a creative pedagogical contribution.

12.Quranic Linguistics and Ethics

Keywords: Literary Text; Linguistics; Literature; Stylistics; English language Translations of the Quran.

The English language translations of the Quran can definitely be envisioned from a different angle - as a text having literary value apart from its religious value. This paper discusses how one can come to exploit its literary value and how one can possibly accommodate it into the academic curriculum, especially as a literary text in the Literature classroom. To begin this quest, the works of two translators of the Quran were looked at closer- those by Muhammad Asad and Abdullah Yusuf Ali.

13.A Stylistics Analysis of One Quranic Surah

Keywords: Literary Text; Linguistics; Literature; Stylistics; English language Translations of the Quran.

This paper is an attempt to create an awareness of the linguistic features present in the English language translation of the meaning of the Quran by Muhammad Asad. A Medinan (sixty-first) surah, As-Saff, was selected from The Message of the Quran-the English translated version of the Quran by Muhammad Asad for a stylistic analysis.

14.Functions of Quranic Stylistics

Keywords: Literary Text; Linguistics; Literature; Stylistics; English language Translations of the Quran.

This paper is an attempt to create an awareness of the linguistic features present in the English language translation of the meaning of the Quran by Abdullah Yusuf Ali. A Meccan (seventy-seventh) surah , Al-Mursalat, was selected from The Holy Quran-the English translated version of the Quran by Abdullah Yusuf Ali for a stylistic analysis.

15.Teaching Literature: Reading and Analyzing One Quranic Surah

Coauthor: Dr Soha Raafat, Associate Professor, English Department, British University in Egypt. Dr Soha is specialized in the field of Literature and she has kindly given her professional advice in the preparation of the contents of this paper.

Keywords: Literary Text; Linguistics; Literature; Stylistics; English language Translations of the Quran.

This paper is an attempt to create an awareness of the linguistic features present in the English language translation of the meaning of the Quran by Abdullah Yusuf Ali. A Medinan (sixty-first) surah, As-Saff, was selected from The Holy Quran-the English translated version of the Quran by Abdullah Yusuf Ali for a stylistic analysis.

16.A Quranic Stylistics Essay

CoAuthor: Dr Heba Ragaai Zaytoon, Lecturer, English Department, British University in Egypt. Dr Heba is specialized in the field of Linguistics and she has kindly given her professional advice in the preparation of the contents of this paper,

Keywords: Literary Text; Linguistics; Literature; Stylistics; English language Translations of the Quran.

This paper is an attempt to create an awareness of the linguistic features present in the English language translation of the meaning of the Quran by Muhammad Asad. A Meccan seventy-seventh) surah , Al-Mursalat, was selected from The Message of the Quran-the English translated version of the Quran by Muhammad Asad for a stylistic analysis.

17.Comparative Quranic Stylistics

Keywords: Literary Text; Linguistics; Literature; Stylistics; English language Translations of the Quran; Comparative Analysis

This paper is an attempt to create an awareness of the linguistic features present in the English language translations of the meaning of the Quran. A comparative stylistics analysis was done to two of the same Medinan (sixty-first)surah, As-Saff, from two versions of the English translated versions of the Quran : The Message of the Quran- by Muhammad Asad and The Holy Quran- by Abdullah Yusuf Ali.

18.A Comparison of Elements of Style-Quranic Stylistics Part 1

Keywords: Literary Text; Linguistics; Literature; Stylistics; English language Translations of the Quran; Comparative Analysis

|span>This Part 1 analysis is an attempt to create an awareness of the linguistic features present in the English language translations of the meaning of the Quran. A comparative stylistics analysis of verses 1-22 was done to two of the same`Meccan (seventy-seventh) surah , Al-Mursalat, from two versions of the English translated versions of the Quran : The`Message of the Quran- by Muhammad Asad and The Holy Quran- by Abdullah Yusuf Ali.

19.A Comparison of Elements of Style-Quranic Stylistics Part 2

Keywords: Literary Text; Linguistics; Literature; Stylistics; English language Translations of the Quran; Comparative Analysis

This Part 2 analysis is an attempt to create an awareness of the linguistic features present in the English language translations of the meaning of the Quran. A comparative stylistics analysis of verses 23-50 was done to two of the same Meccan (seventy-seventh)surah , Al-Mursalat, from two versions of the English translated versions of the Quran : The Message of the Quran- by Muhammad Asad and The Holy Quran- by Abdullah Yusuf Ali.

20.Quranic Material Development

Keywords: Literary Text; Linguistics; Literature; Stylistics; English language Translations of the Quran; Comparative Analysis; Material Production and Development.

Two sets of Medinan and Meccan surah from two versions of the English translated versions of the Quran,after a comparative stylistics analysis,prove to contain a rich variety of linguistic features which indicate that they can be an alternative source besides Western sources to be used as literary texts in the literature and language classroom. Extracts from these surah were accommodated into exercises for literary understanding for the teaching of literature.

21.A Matter of Style Variations in Quranic Linguistics

Keywords: Literary Text; Linguistics; Literature; Stylistics; English language Translations of the Quran; Comparative Analysis.

This paper is an attempt to create an awareness of the style variations present in the language used in English language translations of the Quran. . A closer look at the style variations in the language used by the two translators through surah As-Saff and surah Al-Mursalat of the two translated versions using the stylistics approach. The two sets contain substantial evidence to highlight the linguistic differences and similarities in attempting to translate the same original work.

22.Test of Acceptance, Understanding and Appeal

Keywords: Literary Text; Linguistics; Literature; Stylistics; English language Translations of the Quran; Comparative Analysis; Questionnaire Analysis.

Questionnaires were distributed to one hundred undergraduates at an Islamic institution. An analysis of the data from the questionnaires shows a significant level of acceptance of extracts from Quranic surah to be used as literary texts for the teaching of literature, a high level of understanding of the language used in the extracts of the Quranic surah, and a high percentage who prefer Muhammad Asad’s version over Abdullah Yusuf Ali’s version in terms of appeal.

Guide to Essays

Author Background and Proposal

Index

1. Quranic Verses in English for Academic Purpose

2. Beauty in the Wealth of Literary Quranic Eloquence

3. Groundwork and Preparation for Using Quranic Imagery

4. A Foundation on Teaching Imagery

5.*Quranic Imagery in English and the Senses (published in CDELT Journal, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt, Volume 47 October, 2008.)

6. *Illustrating and Designing Quranic Imagery (Published in JAASEP,USA-Fall 2009)

7. Building Up Quranic Imagery From Memory

8. Pictures of Quranic Imagery in the Mind

9. Visualization of Quranic Imagery

10. The Acceptance of an Alternative Literary Text

11. *An Introduction to Literary Quranic Stylistics (accepted for publication in JAASEP, USA-Winter 2010)

12. Quranic Linguistics and Ethics

13. A Stylistics Analysis of One Quranic Surah

14. Functions of Quranic Stylistics

15. Teaching Literature: Reading and Analyzing One Quranic Surah

16. A Quranic Stylistics Essay

17. Comparative Quranic Stylistics

18. A Comparison of Elements of Style-Quranic Stylistics Part 1

19. A Comparison of Elements of Style-Quranic Stylistics Part 2

20. Quranic Material Development

21. A Matter of Style Variations in Quranic Linguistics

22. Test of Acceptance, Understanding and Appeal