French
Louis Massignon, Muhammad Hamidullah and his French translation of the Koran
First lines of the introduction
“In 1959, in the luxurious collection of the French Book Club, appeared the first translation of the Koran into French made by a Muslim, Mr. Muhammad Hamidullah, “professor at the University of Istanbul”, with the collaboration of Michel Léturmy. A Preface by Louis Massignon, Honorary Professor at the Collège de France and Member of the Institute, intended to underline the importance of the event and the quality of the publication. Who was the translator, what were his relations with his «prefsteel» and how does this translation, which is in its 15th edition, look like?”
Premières lignes de l’introduction
“En 1959, dans la collection luxueuse du Club français du Livre, paraissait la première traduction du Coran en français faite par un musulman, M. Muhammad Hamidullah, “professeur à l’Université d’Istanbul”, avec la collaboration de Michel Léturmy. Une Préface de Louis Massignon, Professeur honoraire au Collège de France et Membre de l’Institut, entendait souligner l’importance de l’événement et la qualité de la publication. Qui était donc le traducteur, quelles étaient ses relations avec son « préfacier » et comment se présente cette traduction qui en est à sa 15ème édition ?”
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