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Translating Sacred Scriptures in Sundanese: A Comparative Analysis of the Bible and the Qur’an in West Java, Indonesia

Jurnal Studi Ilmu-ilmu Al-Qur'an dan Hadis · Vol. 26 No. 2 (2025) · pp. 522–544

DOI
10.14421/qh.v26i2.6187
ISSN
2548-4737, 1411-6855
Published
2025-07-31
Publisher
UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta
Language
en
License
creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0

Abstract

This study critically examines the various characteristics of the Sundanese translations of the Bible and the Qur’an. It focuses on two translations of each scripture—S. Coolsma’s 1891 and the LAI 1991 editions of the Bible, alongside Miwah Tarjamahna (2002) and MORA (2020) translations of the Qur’an. Using library research and employing Venuti’s theory of foreignization-domestication, as well as Vermeer’s Skopos theory, this study examines linguistic orientations in both target and source languages. The findings reveal significant distinctions in translation strategies. Bible translations into Sundanese predominantly adopt domestication strategies, emphasizing fluency and accessibility in the target language. In contrast, the Qur’anic translations preserve source language structures through foreignization, reflecting fidelity to original Arabic forms. These tendencies are shaped not only by textual and doctrinal considerations but also by historical and sociolinguistic contexts. Specifically, Bible translations are characterized by colloquial expression and dynamic shifts in Indonesian Bible translation movements, while Qur’anic translations maintain formal diction and syntactic patterns rooted in Arabic. The analysis further identifies lexical, semantic, and syntactic patterns that reveal each scripture’s translation ideology. These differences illustrate how theological authority, religious tradition, and institutional policy influence linguistic choices. The study highlights the importance of understanding translation as a cultural and ideological act, particularly in multilingual and multi-religious regions such as West Java.

Keywords

Collaboration network of the authors

40 authors · 101 co-authorship links · showing the 40 most connected

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  • Sunan Gunung Djati State Islamic University Bandung
  • IPB University
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Different organisations
  • Same organisation
  • Affiliation unknown
  • Thicker line = more joint articles · bigger circle = more articles
Show as table
Co-authorOrganisationJoint articles
Ruddy SuwandiAffiliation unknown4
Mala NurilmalaAffiliation unknown4
Tati NurhayatiAffiliation unknown3
Asadatun AbdullahAffiliation unknown3
Rizsa Mustika PertiwiAffiliation unknown3
Eni ZulaihaAffiliation unknown2
Agoes Mardiono JacoebAffiliation unknown2
Dono DarsonoSunan Gunung Djati State Islamic University Bandung1
Busro BusroSunan Gunung Djati State Islamic University Bandung1
Fahrul FirmansyahAffiliation unknown1
Muhammad Iqbal FaturahmanAffiliation unknown1
Abdurrohim AbdurrohimAffiliation unknown1
Bannan Naelin NajihahAffiliation unknown1
Siti AminahAffiliation unknown1
Dody S. TrunaAffiliation unknown1
Muhtar SolihinAffiliation unknown1
M. Dewangga WidhiaAffiliation unknown1
Dedi SupriadiAffiliation unknown1
Usman SupendiAffiliation unknown1
Ach HakikiAffiliation unknown1
Djoko PoernomoAffiliation unknown1
Uut Tri UtamiAffiliation unknown1
Kristian Edo ZulfamyAffiliation unknown1
Diana Ningdya LihuanaAffiliation unknown1
Aninditya Artina SetiaputriAffiliation unknown1
Firda Agnes MonicaAffiliation unknown1
Misla AlfitriAffiliation unknown1
Agus YuliantoAffiliation unknown1
Ismi Isti’anahAffiliation unknown1
Kustiariyah TarmanIPB University1
Sugeng Heri SusenoIPB University1
Irzal EffendiIPB University1
Novemi Gita SafitriAffiliation unknown1
Megana DuanassuryaAffiliation unknown1
NurjanahAffiliation unknown1
RamlanAffiliation unknown1
Tioko Arzeti SinambelaAffiliation unknown1

Affiliations come from OpenAlex; journal OAI-PMH metadata carries none. Authors without an OpenAlex ID are matched by name, which can merge or split people.

Metadata source: OAI-PMH (metadata jurnal) http://ejournal.uin-suka.ac.id/ushuluddin/alquran/oai, first harvested 9 Nov 2026, last seen 9 Nov 2026.
Original metadata (oai_dc) 
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	<dc:title xml:lang="en">Translating Sacred Scriptures in Sundanese: A Comparative Analysis of the Bible and the Qur’an in West Java, Indonesia</dc:title>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Nugraha, Roni</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Permanik, Intan</dc:creator>
	<dc:creator xml:lang="en">Rohmana, Jajang A</dc:creator>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Translation</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Source Language</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Target Language</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Sacred Scripture</dc:subject>
	<dc:subject xml:lang="en">Sundanese</dc:subject>
	<dc:description xml:lang="en">This study critically examines the various characteristics of the Sundanese translations of the Bible and the Qur’an. It focuses on two translations of each scripture—S. Coolsma’s 1891 and the LAI 1991 editions of the Bible, alongside Miwah Tarjamahna (2002) and MORA (2020) translations of the Qur’an. Using library research and employing Venuti’s theory of foreignization-domestication, as well as Vermeer’s Skopos theory, this study examines linguistic orientations in both target and source languages. The findings reveal significant distinctions in translation strategies. Bible translations into Sundanese predominantly adopt domestication strategies, emphasizing fluency and accessibility in the target language. In contrast, the Qur’anic translations preserve source language structures through foreignization, reflecting fidelity to original Arabic forms. These tendencies are shaped not only by textual and doctrinal considerations but also by historical and sociolinguistic contexts. Specifically, Bible translations are characterized by colloquial expression and dynamic shifts in Indonesian Bible translation movements, while Qur’anic translations maintain formal diction and syntactic patterns rooted in Arabic. The analysis further identifies lexical, semantic, and syntactic patterns that reveal each scripture’s translation ideology. These differences illustrate how theological authority, religious tradition, and institutional policy influence linguistic choices. The study highlights the importance of understanding translation as a cultural and ideological act, particularly in multilingual and multi-religious regions such as West Java.</dc:description>
	<dc:publisher xml:lang="en">UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta</dc:publisher>
	<dc:date>2025-07-31</dc:date>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/article</dc:type>
	<dc:type>info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion</dc:type>
	<dc:format>application/pdf</dc:format>
	<dc:identifier>https://ejournal.uin-suka.ac.id/ushuluddin/alquran/article/view/6187</dc:identifier>
	<dc:identifier>10.14421/qh.v26i2.6187</dc:identifier>
	<dc:source xml:lang="en">Jurnal Studi Ilmu-ilmu Al-Qur'an dan Hadis; Vol. 26 No. 2 (2025): Juli; 522-544</dc:source>
	<dc:source>2548-4737</dc:source>
	<dc:source>1411-6855</dc:source>
	<dc:language>en</dc:language>
	<dc:relation>https://ejournal.uin-suka.ac.id/ushuluddin/alquran/article/view/6187/2613</dc:relation>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">Copyright (c) 2025 Roni Nugraha, Intan Permanik, Jajang A Rohmana</dc:rights>
	<dc:rights xml:lang="en">http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0</dc:rights>
</oai_dc:dc>