Study of Pragmatic Losses in the English Translation of Surah Al Ikhlas: A Comparative Pragma-Linguistic Analysis

The comprehension of the message of the Holy Qur’ān is obligatory for the whole of humanity which is revealed in the Arabic language. Scholars all over the world, Muslims as well as non-Muslims have devoted their best efforts to translate the word of Allah Almighty in different languages of the world, although absolute translation is not possible. These translations from Arabic to other languages of the world result into pragmatic losses. Small wonder, these pragmatic losses cause problems in the process of understanding the actual message of the Holy Qur’ān enshrined in the source text. This study was conducted to analyze the pragmatic losses in the English translations of Sūrah Ikhlāṣ (chapter 112) through a comparative pragma-linguistic analysis. Three different translations have been selected for the study. A comparative and critical study of these translations has established the presence of certain pragmatic losses which are likely to bear upon the comprehension of the reader in more than one way. To the researchers, the presence of these losses calls for the greater sensitivity towards and understanding of the pragmatic aspects of interlingual translation, specifically for a text which in its primordial form was intended to be a Speech (Kalām). To retain the pragmatic value and meaning of the source text become all the more paramount when the text translated is sacred one with its own canonical conventions and discursive norms.

Epidemiological and Serum Lipid Analysis of Hepatitis B, C and Cirrhosis Patients in Hyderabad, Sindh, Pakistan

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) exerts an intense impact on patient’s lipid metabolism. Hence the aim of present study is to determine metabolic derangement that occurs in subjects suffering from hepatitis B, C and cirrhosis. The fasting blood samples were collected from hepatitis B (n=50), C (n=50) and cirrhosis patients (HBV-cirrhosis n=30 and HCV-cirrhosis n=50) along with age and gender matched controls. After separating serum, lipid profile was analyzed by micro-lab 300 and fatty acids (FAs) composition was examined by gas chromatography. Fatty acids were further confirmed by gas GC-MS technique. The epidemiological risk factors for transmission of HBV, HCV and cirrhosis were measured through standard questionnaire specially designed for that purpose. The demographic factors, mainly positive family history, dental treatment, blood transfusion and shaving from barber shop are significant contributing factors in spread of HBV, HCV, and cirrhosis infection. Hypolipidemia in HBV and HCV patients is possibly due to alter liver function. Lipogenesis is elevated in HCV and HBV patients as evident from reduced serum PUFA and elevated SFA as well as MUFA levels. Hence, it proposes the importance of PUFA supplementation and it may provide synergistic antiviral effects when given as a food supplement during the INF based anti - HCV therapy. The lower level of lipid profile (TAG, cholesterol, LDL–C, HDL–C, VLDL–C and total lipids) indicating hypolipidemia in HBV-cirrhosis and HCVcirrhosis patients specify the nonfunctioning of liver. The increased lipogenesis (increased level of SFA) and reduced PUFA levels may be due to altering desaturases activities, impaired PUFA metabolism and non-enzymatic oxidation is associated with progression of HBV-cirrhosis/ HCV-cirrhosis diseases in patients and promote the hepatic lipotoxicity. In conclusion, the hepatitis B and C viruses alter the total cholesterol and FA metabolic pathways. Therefore, the present study provides the information about the changes associated with lipid metabolism and significant upregulation, which might be used as a biomarker for hepatitis B, C and cirrhosis diseases.