15 August 2002
From the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Regarding the translation of the Books and Tablets of the
Blessed Beauty, ere long will translations be made into every tongue, with
power, clarity and grace. At such time as they are translated, conformably to
the originals, and with power and grace of style, the splendours of their inner
meanings will be shed abroad, and will illumine the eyes of all mankind. Do thy
very best to ensure that the translation is in conformity with the original.
("Selections from the Writings of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá")
From the writings of Shoghi Effendi and letters written on his behalf
This is one more attempt to introduce to the West, in language however inadequate, this book of unsurpassed pre-eminence among the writings of the Author of the Baha'i Revelation. The hope is that it may assist others in their efforts to approach what must always be regarded as the unattainable goal—a befitting rendering of Bahá’u’lláh’s matchless utterance. (Shoghi Effendi. Foreword to "The Kitáb-i-Iqán" (Wilmette: Baha'i Publishing Trust, 1985)
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It must have been very distasteful to you to read some of the off-hand and ungrammatical translations that more out of necessity than choice won circulation and were even published. Furthermore, it was always the expressed wish and desire of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá to have proper and adequate translations that would not only convey the true spirit of the original but also possess some literary ment. And for this he emphasized the necessity of a board of translators. Such a board it has unfortunately been impossible to form as yet. (28 March 1926 to an individual believer)