Multilingualism, Translation, and Religion in the Premodern Islamic World(s): Texts, Contexts, and Crossroads
A special issue of Religions (ISSN 2077-1444).
Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 December 2025 | Viewed by 90
Special Issue Editors
Interests: comparative literature; history of rhetoric; translation and reception studies; postcolonial studies; philosophies of language; visual poetics; word and image; Islamic literature
Special Issue Information
Dear Colleagues,
The relationship between multilingualism, translation, and religion in premodern Islamic cultures remains an understudied topic. While premodern Islamic scholarship thrived in a multilingual environment, with scholars engaging in Arabic, Persian, Greek, Syriac, Hebrew, and other languages, the role of multilingualism in shaping religious thoughts and practices is often overlooked. Multilingual translators not only facilitated the transmission of sacred texts, but also adapted theological, philosophical, and legal concepts across linguistic and cultural boundaries. This process influenced interpretations of sacred texts, the development of religious discourse, and even the articulation of premodern Islamic identity in diverse regions. A deeper exploration of these dynamics can reveal how multilingual interactions shaped religious scholarship and the lived experiences of Muslim communities. This Special Issue investigates the overlooked role of premodern Islamic multilingualism and aims to develop new theoretical and methodological approaches drawn from the social sciences and the humanities. These methodologies should reflect the diverse and multifaceted nature of the languages of the Islamic empires and their significance in cultural and religious contexts. By fostering discussions at the intersection of religion, language, and textual transmission, Religions offers an opportunity to highlight the ways in which linguistic diversity shaped religious identities and intellectual traditions in premodern Islamic cultures.
We request that, prior to submitting a manuscript, interested authors initially submit a proposed title and an abstract of 200–300 words summarizing their intended contribution. Please send it to the Guest Editor, or to the Assistant Editor of Religions, Loretta Chen <loretta.chen@mdpi.com>. Abstracts will be reviewed by the Guest Editors for the purposes of ensuring proper fit within the scope of the Special Issue. Full manuscripts will undergo double-blind peer review.
We look forward to receiving your contributions.
Dr. Hany Rashwan
Prof. Dr. Ross Brann
Guest Editors
Manuscript Submission Information
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Keywords
- premodern Islamic multilingualism
- multiculturism
- translation
- Islamic lingua franca
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