I am a PhD candidate at Leiden University and an academic translator specializing in the translation of primary Islamic sources, particularly the Quran. Working at the intersection of religion and society, I translate sacred texts primarily from Arabic, and occasionally from Turkish, into Dutch. My methodology prioritizes literal translation whenever possible, terminological consistency, and scholarly annotation. I am dedicated to the empirically grounded interpretation of the Islamic tradition within the Dutch societal context. By combining analytical rigor with linguistic expertise, I aim to make complex historical and religious texts both highly accurate and transparent for a broad modern audience.

More information about Ahmed Bulut

Fields of interest

• Religion and society
• Islamic hermeneutics
• Quran translation methodology
• Sacred-text translation
• Terminological consistency
• Scholarly annotation
• Intellectual debates

Research

My project analyses translation theories and methodologies applied in contemporary Dutch Quran translations. Combining major Western frameworks with Islamic hermeneutical debates, the study operationalises notions such as equivalence, semantic loss, domestication versus foreignization, and (un)translatability into codeable indicators. A qualitative, corpus based comparison of concept dense passages across selected authoritative translations is used to identify recurring strategy patterns and to develop a methodological typology. Paratexts (prefaces, notes, glossaries) are consulted as supplementary evidence linking stated aims to textual practice. The project tests how methodologies align with translation theory and, where justified, proposes an empirically grounded framework.

Curriculum vitae

PhD candidate, Leiden University. Academic translator of primary Islamic sources (Arabic, Turkish → Dutch), under academic mentorship, with a primary focus on Quran translation. Research interests include translation methodology, terminological consistency, hermeneutics, scholarly annotation, the reception of translated sacred texts in contemporary society, and related intellectual debates. I hold a multidisciplinary professional background with training in Social Sciences, Business & Economics, Islamic Studies, and Arabic.