Translation Analysis of the Novel Api Tauhid by Habiburrahman El Shirazy: An Examination of Semantic and Cultural Fidelity

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the extent to which the English translation of Habiburrahman El Shirazy’s novel Api Tauhid preserves the integrity of its religious and Islamic cultural meanings. The research focuses on the translation strategies employed and their impact on non-Muslim readers' understanding of Islamic values. Utilizing a descriptive-qualitative approach and the translation theories of Eugene Nida and Peter Newmark, the study finds that dynamic equivalence is the dominant strategy used in the novel. Although most religious messages are effectively conveyed, certain aspects of local culture are not fully captured. Consequently, the study recommends the application of contextual and culturally sensitive strategies to enhance the effectiveness of cross-cultural translation.