Journal of Language, Literature, and Educational Research

an Open Access Journal

Arabic Grammatical Errors in Translating Islamic Texts Among Tarjamah Students

Yupi Desfina
Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University
Indonesia
yupiyup@gmail.com
Konul Babayeva
Azerbaijan
Maryam Nawaf Al Dhahab
Oman
Share

  • Purpose of the study: This study aims to identify common Arabic grammatical errors made by eighth-semester Tarjamah students in translating Islamic texts and to analyze the factors influencing these errors in Arabic-to-Indonesian translation practices.

    Methodology: This study employed a qualitative field research design combined with library research. Data were collected through questionnaires, interviews, translation tests, documentation, and literature review involving eighth-semester Tarjamah students of State Islamic University Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta. Data analysis techniques included editing, tabulating, classification, and grammatical error analysis focusing on nahwu and sharaf aspects in Islamic text translation.

    Main Findings: The findings revealed that many students still experienced difficulties in applying Arabic grammar rules, particularly nahwu and sharaf, during the translation process. Frequent errors were found in identifying fi’il-fa’il structures, jumlah ismiyyah and fi’liyyah, mudhaf-mudhaf ilaih, and grammatical sentence positions. These weaknesses affected translation accuracy, coherence, and naturalness. Internal learning motivation, limited practice, instructional methods, and insufficient mastery of qawa’id were identified as major contributing factors.

    Novelty/Originality of this study: This study specifically examines Arabic grammatical errors in translating Islamic manuscripts among Tarjamah students using authentic translation tasks from Jâmi’ al-Fiqih texts. The research contributes new insights into the relationship between Arabic grammar mastery and translation quality while highlighting pedagogical weaknesses in Arabic grammar instruction within higher education translation programs.

  • How to cite

    Arabic Grammatical Errors in Translating Islamic Texts Among Tarjamah Students. (2026). Journal of Language, Literature, and Educational Research, 3(1), 130-138. https://doi.org/10.37251/jolle.v3i1.3254

    More Citation Formats

  • 70
    Abstract views
    26
    Downloads

    Metrics — Badges

    1. [1] S. Saqmi and M. N. Majid, “Analysis on the interference of Indonesian morphology in the translation of classical Arabic texts,” J. Bahasa, Pembelajaran dan Sastra Arab, vol. 12, no. 2, pp. 143–160, 2025, doi: 10.21111/lisanudhad.v12i2.43. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21111/lisanudhad.v12i2.15404
    2. [2] B. B. Purnama, A. Setiyawan, A. Holilulloh, and A. A. B. Sapar, “Analysis of difficulties in translating Arabic texts for 9th grade students,” J. Arab. Stud., vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 66–79, 2024, doi: 10.24865/ajas.v9i1.721 Analysis.
    3. [3] M. Y. Anis and S. Nurulakla, “A comparative analysis of cultural terms in Arabic-Javanese religious texts through the lens of al-hikam aphorisms translation,” J. Jur. Pendidik. Bhs. Arab, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 472–490, 2023, doi: 10.24042/albayan.v15i2.18689. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24042/albayan.v15i2.18689
    4. [4] W. Almurashi, “Exploring the lexical influence of Arabic on bahasa Indonesia: Phonetically transcribed,” Int. Peer Rev. J., vol. 8, no. 4, pp. 20–30, 2024, doi: 10.24093/awejtls/vol8no4.3. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24093/awejtls/vol8no4.3
    5. [5] F. Mubarak, A. A. Rahman, M. Awaliyah, I. S. Wekke, and S. A. Hussein, “Phrases in Arabic and Indonesian language,” J. Jur. Pendidik. Bhs. Arab, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 37–57, 2020, doi: 10.24042/albayan.v. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24042/albayan.v12i1.4691
    6. [6] D. Asmilia, W. Yul, and R. Andrian, “Lexical and cultural nuances in Arabic–Indonesian translation: Strategies for novice translators,” J. Arab. Lang. Lit. Educ., vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 426–444, 2025, doi: 10.37680/aphorisme.v6i1.7596. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37680/aphorisme.v6i1.7596
    7. [7] E. Abdeldaim, M. Ahmed, and W. Rusli, “A model for teaching arabic grammar in light of the common european framework of reference for languages,” J. Arab. Learn., vol. 7, no. 3, pp. 1030–1050, 2024, doi: 10.18860 /ijazarabi. V7i3.27825. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18860/ijazarabi.v7i3.27825
    8. [8] M. Y. Anis and A. Arifuddin, “Comparative analysis of Arabic-Indonesian and Arabic- English translation techniques in the Al-Hikam aphorism,” J. Arbitrer, vol. 10, no. 1, 2023, doi: 10.25077/ar.10.1.51-65.2023. DOI: https://doi.org/10.25077/ar.10.1.51-65.2023
    9. [9] I. Afriati, Z. Ratmansyah, A. Fadhil, and Y. I. Lesmana, “Grammar and translation methods in Arabic language learning: Theory and practice,” J. Islam. Stud., vol. 2, no. June, pp. 1–8, 2025, doi: 10.62945/madina.v2i1.741. DOI: https://doi.org/10.62945/madina.v2i1.741
    10. [10] A. Salim, A. S. Robikhah, E. Zulianah, and F. R. Barik, “Implementation of the translation grammatical method in Arabic learning,” J. Agama Sosisal dan Budaya, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 546–554, 2022, doi: 10.31538/almada.v5i4.2820. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31538/almada.v5i4.2820
    11. [11] E. Pangestika, T. Mushofa, and N. Nasiruddin, “Differences in Arabic-Indonesian vocabulary absorption in religious terms: Phonological studies,” J. Arab. Lit. Islam. Stud., vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 190–207, 2023, doi: 10.58223/alirfan.v6i1.6797. DOI: https://doi.org/10.58223/alirfan.v6i1.6797
    12. [12] A. T. Al-tarawneh, “Translational trajectories in Arabic-English translation of the holy Qur’ón,” Hamdard Islam., vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 9–26, 2022, doi: 10.57144/hi.v45i2.136.
    13. [13] M. Z. Al Farizi, “Acceptability of the Quran translation,” J. Islam. Stud., vol. 61, no. 2, pp. 329–363, 2023, doi: 10.14421/ajis.2023.612.329-363. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14421/ajis.2023.612.329-363
    14. [14] N. Hidayah, M. Mukmin, and S. Marfuah, “The correlation between Arabic learning motivation and Arabic language competence of education study program students in post- COVID-19 pandemic,” J. Jur. Pendidik. Bhs. Arab, vol. 15, no. 2, pp. 380–398, 2023, doi: 10.24042/albayan.v15i2.17453. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24042/albayan.v15i2.17453
    15. [15] S. Sauri and A. Sanusi, “Assessing of pedagogical competency of prospective teachers in teaching Arabic in schools: Suitable or not suitable?,” J. Ecohumanism, vol. 3, no. 7, pp. 2509–2518, 2024, doi: 10.62754/joe.v3i7.4653. DOI: https://doi.org/10.62754/joe.v3i7.4653
    16. [16] A. Alshehri and A. M. Al-Shabeb, “Exploring attitudes, identity, and linguistic variation among Arabic speakers: Insights from acoustic landscapes,” Int. J. Arab. Stud., vol. 24, no. 2, 2024, doi: 10.33806/ijaes.v24i2.587. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33806/ijaes.v24i2.587
    17. [17] K. Azizah, F. Mukarromah, and N. Ainiy, “The influence of pesantren educational background on arabic language competence of students in Islamic higher education,” J. Arab. Lang. Learn. Teach., vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 75–84, 2023, doi: 10.23971/jallt.v1i2.143. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23971/jallt.v1i2.143
    18. [18] T. Nurdianto, Y. Hidayat, and V. Adetia, “CEFR-based Arabic language learning competency,” J. Arab. Lang. Teaching, Linguist. Lit., vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 229–248, 2020, doi: 10.22219/jiz.v3i3.14123. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22219/jiz.v3i3.14123
    19. [19] N. Hidayah, A. S. Haya, and N. J. Ali, “Determining Arabic language proficiency: An examination of grammar mastery, active usage, and discipline of linguistic,” J. Jur. Pendidik. Bhs. Arab, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 178–194, 2025, doi: 10.24042/5tevdz36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24042/5tevdz36
    20. [20] K. Mizan, I. Hajar, A. A. Atiq, and W. Wargadinata, “The role of modern linguistics in the learning of Arabic language skills,” J. Lang. Teach. Learn. Linguist. Lit., vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 1178–1190, 2023, doi: 10.24256/ideas.v11i2.3979. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24256/ideas.v11i2.3979
    21. [21] D. Kuswandi, A. Rohman, and G. Abdullah, “The quran manuscripts in nusantara : A historical review,” Int. J. Islam. Stud., vol. 36, no. 2, pp. 227–235, 2024, doi: 10.23917/suhuf.v36i2.6513. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23917/suhuf.v36i2.6513
    22. [22] N. Ibrahim, F. A. Shah, and N. Ibrahim, “The Islamic influences in malay manuscripts writing: An overview of some selected manuscripts,” J. Sains Insa., vol. 5, no. 1, 2020, doi: 10.33102/sainsinsani.vol5no1.141. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33102/sainsinsani.vol5no1.141
    23. [23] M. A. Ghofur and M. Musa, “Analysis of twelfth grade students’ difficulties in understanding nahwu and sharaf: A case study at madrasah Aliyah Miftahul Ulum Al-Azizah,” Int. J. Islam. Thought Humanit., vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 268–276, 2024, doi: 10.54298/ijith.v3i2.387. DOI: https://doi.org/10.54298/ijith.v3i2.387
    24. [24] M. Al-kaosari, “Analisis kesalahan berbahasa dalam pembelajaran bahasa Arab (Kajian Literature),” J. Islam. Stud., vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 2090–2102, 2025, doi: 10.31943/afkarjournal.v8i2.2246.Analysis.
    25. [25] N. Nurdin and M. Anshari, “Effective strategies in learning nahwu and sharaf: A literature review perspective,” Interdiscip. Explor. Res. J., vol. 2, pp. 1578–1590, 2024, doi: 10.62976/ierj.v2i3.750. DOI: https://doi.org/10.62976/ierj.v2i3.750
    26. [26] Z. Saleh, N. Murtadlo, A. W. Rosyidi, and E. Z. Hidayah, “The analysis of Arabic learning error in students of madrasah tsanawiyah,” J. Pendidik., vol. 16, no. 3, pp. 4096–4107, 2024, doi: 10.35445/alishlah.v16i3.5776. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35445/alishlah.v16i3.5776
    27. [27] M. Y. Salam, “A case study on linguistic errors in Arabic language learning at state islamic senior high school (MAN) Insan Cendekia Batam City,” J. Pendidik. Bhs. dan Sastra Arab, vol. 10, no. 2, 2024, doi: 10.30821/ihya.v10i2.25273. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30821/ihya.v10i2.25273
    28. [28] S. Hayati and A. Rizki, “Linguistic errors in Arabic writing (insya’) among students at SMAIT Al- Arabiyah Aceh besar,” J. Pendidikan, Bhs. Arab dan Kaji. Linguist. Arab, vol. 8, no. 1, 2025, doi: 10.32764/lahjah.v8i1.5946.
    29. [29] I. Nujaima and H. Kurniawan, “The role of nahwu and shaf sciences in Arabic language learning,” J. Ilmu Bhs. Arab dan Pembelajarannya, vol. 1, no. 1, 2024, doi: 10.59548/js.v1i1.AL-HIBRU. DOI: https://doi.org/10.59548/hbr.v1i1.104
    30. [30] M. Hawkins, C. Cheng, G. R. Elsworth, and R. H. Osborne, “Translation method is validity evidence for construct equivalence: Analysis of secondary data routinely collected during translations of the health literacy questionnaire (HLQ),” Med. Res. Methodol., vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 1–13, 2020, doi: 10.1186/s12874-020-00962-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12874-020-00962-8
    31. [31] H. L. Arndt, “Construction and validation of a questionnaire to study engagement in informal second language learning,” Stud. Second Lang. Acquis., vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 1456–1480, 2023, doi: 10.1017/S0272263122000572. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0272263122000572
    32. [32] H. Sharma, “How short or long should be a questionnaire for any research ? Researchers dilemma in deciding the appropriate questionnaire length,” Saudi J. Anesth., vol. 5, no. 5, pp. 65–68, 2022, doi: 10.4103/sja.sja. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/sja.sja_163_21
    33. [33] O. C. Robinson, “Probing in qualitative research interviews: Theory and practice,” Qual. Res. Psychol., vol. 20, no. 3, pp. 382–397, 2023, doi: 10.1080/14780887.2023.2238625. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2023.2238625
    34. [34] S. Karahan and S. Uca, “Nitel araştirmalarda görüşme türleri ve görüşme tekniklerinin uygulanma süreci,” Nitel Sos. Bilim. Soc. Sci., vol. 4, no. 1, 2022, doi: 10.47105/nsb.1118399. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47105/nsb.1118399
    35. [35] B. Dursun, “A qualitative research technique : Interview,” J. Interdiscip. Educ. Res., vol. 7, no. 14, pp. 100–113, 2023, doi: 10.57135/jier. DOI: https://doi.org/10.57135/jier.1245193
    36. [36] H. R. Patel and J. M. Joseph, “Questionnaire designing process : A review,” J. Clin. Trials, vol. 6, no. 2, 2016, doi: 10.4172/2167-0870.1000255. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4172/2167-0870.1000255
    37. [37] F. Akan, R. Karim, A. Mohammad, and K. Chowdhury, “An analysis of Arabic-English translation: Problems and prospects,” Adv. Lang. Lit. Stud., vol. 4, no. 3, pp. 58–65, 2019, doi: 10.7575/aiac.alls.v.10n.1p.58. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7575/aiac.alls.v.10n.1p.58
    38. [38] M. Ali and E. Ibrahim, “Efl learners’ syntactic problems in translation at Al-Baha university from Arabic into English,” Arab World English J., vol. 13, no. June, pp. 239–252, 2022, doi: 10.24093/awej/vol13no2.16. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24093/awej/vol13no2.16
    39. [39] B. Mahmoud, “Grammar competence and writing performance: A correlational study in higher education,” TESOL Technol. Stud., vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 37–44, 2023, doi: 10.48185/tts.v4i1.594 Grammar. DOI: https://doi.org/10.48185/tts.v4i1.594
    40. [40] M. S. Rosyad, F. I. Rosyadi, N. Huda, and N. Pradnya, “From grammar-centered to communicative materials: Rethinking Arabic language teaching resources in higher education,” J. Bhs. Arab, vol. 10, no. 1, 2026, doi: 10.29240/jba.v10i1.16227. DOI: https://doi.org/10.29240/jba.v10i1.16227
    41. [41] N. Selim, “Arabic, grammar and teaching: An Islamic historical perspective,” Int. J. Islam. Thought, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 80–89, 2018, doi: 10.24035/ijit.13.2018.008. DOI: https://doi.org/10.24035/ijit.06.2018.008
    42. [42] S. Mohamed, “The development of an Arabic curriculum framework based on a compilation of salient features from CEFR level descriptors,” Lang. Learn. J., vol. 51, no. 1, pp. 33–47, 2023, doi: 10.1080/09571736.2021.1923781. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/09571736.2021.1923781
    43. [43] R. D. Nira and Y. Fauziyah, “Development of Arabic curriculum in improving pedagogic competence of lecturer Ma’had Umar bin Al-Khattab,” 10.31538/nzh.v4i2.1480, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 294–309, 2021. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31538/nzh.v4i2.1480
    44. [44] A. A. Rekan, H. R. Howell, M. Nasir, and M. Salleh, “Arabic language curriculum as a foundation for strengthening religious education in public higher education,” J. Pendidik. Agama Islam, vol. 22, no. 1, 2025, doi: 10.14421/jpai.v22i1.11340. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14421/jpai.v22i1.11340
    45. [45] I. Amin, “Integrated curriculum model between language development center and Ma’had Al-Jami’ah for Arabic language environment Irsal,” Int. J. Arab. Lang. Teachinf, vol. 41, 2022, doi: 10.32332/ijalt.v4i01.4645. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32332/ijalt.v4i01.4645