Shift of Tenses in Some Translated Verses of the Qur’an Into English and Hebrew – A Functional Study

This study explores shift of tenses in some Qur’anic verses. A discussion of the rhetorical functions of tense-shifts is conducted. It, also, discusses the translations of these shifts into English and Hebrew. The study uses the applied approach, and the discussion follows interpretations and commentaries of the Glorious Qur’an. A contrast between the Arabic text and its translations is conducted. A contrast between English and Hebrew translations is conducted too. Data are categorized according to the type of shift following the Arabic text. Then, analysis and discussion follow. Findings show that Tense-shifts occur in the Qur’anic text frequently and have prominent functional purposes that require further research. The use of tense-shift and the interpreting of the related functions are determined by the context. Changes -to the present tense instead of the past tense, to the present tense instead of the future tense, to the past tense instead of the present tense, and to the imperative tense instead of the present tense- are used in rendering the verses under this study into Hebrew more than into English. A major cause for this is the similarity of Arabic and Hebrew. Another reason is the incompetence on the part of the translator himself; incomplete understanding of the context, and purposes, and incomprehensive knowledge of interpretation lead to fail in translating the right tense that achieves the required function. Khattab’s and Al-Adawy’s translations, in general, maintain tense-shift. Yet, there are some shortcomings, especially Khattab’s translation.