A Lexical Analysis of Karim Zamani’s Translation of the Holy Quran (based on Garces’ Semantic-lexical Level Theory)

The continuous evolutionary process and movement of Quran translation not only demonstrate the importance of translation but also represents an undeniable necessity. This growing trend—rightly referred to as “the springtime of Quran translation”—cannot advance without critical evaluations of previous translations, particularly through the frameworks and theories of modern linguistics. Among the most significant linguistic theories for assessing translation quality is the translation critique model introduced by Carmen Garcés in 1944, which was designed to evaluate the qualitative level of translations and to conduct a qualitative analysis of literary translated texts.
Considering the undeniable importance of Quran translation, the present study, drawing on Garcés’ model, seeks to critique and evaluate the lexical choices made by Karim Zamani in his translation of the Quran. Zamani’s translation was selected because of his particular emphasis on lexical selection throughout the translation process. Although some reviews of Zamani’s translation exist, no specialized and systematic study grounded in linguistics and based on Garcés’ model has previously been conducted.
Garcés’ model is organized into four levels—semantic-lexical, syntactic-morphological, discoursal-functional, and stylistic-pragmatic. Among these, the semantic-lexical level, which focuses specifically on the evaluation of translated vocabulary, is the focus of this study and is well suited to the nature of the selected translation. The key research question is: To what extent does Karim Zamani’s translation correspond to Garcés’ method at the semantic-lexical level? It should be noted that the application of the other three levels lies beyond the scope of this paper and requires separate studies due to their breadth.
Regarding Zamani’s translation and the application of Garcés’ model in critiquing it, no prior research has been carried out. The only related study is a non-linguistic critique by Nadali Ashuri Taluki, published in two parts in Tarjoman-e Vahy (Issues 19 and 20, 2015–2016). Thus, the present work constitutes the first independent study to evaluate the quality of Zamani’s translation based on Garcés’ model at the semantic-lexical level.
This research employs a descriptive-analytical and library-based method. Its main findings are as follows:

Carmen Garcés’ proposed model at the semantic-lexical level is well-suited for critiquing Karim Zamani’s translation of the Quran because the translator, during the translation process, employs strategies such as adaptation, explanation and interpretation of vocabulary, and selection of equivalents, while also engaging in lexical expansion and reduction and conveying ambiguity.
In terms of explaining and interpreting vocabulary, Zamani’s translation includes numerous instances of explanatory and detailed additions. These detailed explanations are generally observable in three forms: (a) explanations related to the reasons for choosing a particular word, (b) parenthetical or interpretive notes, and (c) supplementary clarifications within the translation text itself. Therefore, Zamani’s translation can be characterized as both an explanatory and interpretive translation.
The use of multiple cultural or common equivalents is one of the notable aspects of Zamani’s translation. The translator has both invented new words and employed archaic Persian terms, some of which are familiar while others are uncommon.
Lexical expansion and reduction in Zamani’s translation often involve the omission of sentence elements, nominalization, the transformation of passive constructions into active ones, and verb deletion. Changes in Arabic syntactic structures are also observable at the lexical level, with structures such as the absolute object (maf‘ul mutlaq) contributing to lexical expansion and reduction.
In dealing with lexical ambiguity in polysemous words, Zamani often chooses a literal translation, which preserves the source word in the target text.
Regarding the general versus the specific (or vice versa), specific Arabic terms in Zamani’s translation are sometimes rendered more generally. In terms of adaptation, Zamani clarifies the meaning of the verses by selecting the closest corresponding sense in the target language.
Zamani’s translation is a combination of translation and interpretation. It is a valuable and distinguished work, ranking among the top ten contemporary Persian translations of the Quran. Minor shortcomings exist, which is natural in a project of such magnitude.