The Limits of Translation: Reconsidering Teyfur Erdogdu's Concept on Faith-Based Epistemology

Abstract

This paper explores the limits of translation through the philosophical perspective of Teyfur Erdogdu, whose reflections on esanlamligin imkansizligi (the impossibility of synonymy), yonlendirilemezlik (untranslatability), and kavramsal dakiklik (conceptual precision) present a profound challenge to modern epistemology. Erdogdu argues that every concept is embedded within its own linguistic, cultural, and metaphysical context, making absolute translation, both linguistic and conceptual, impossible. This study reconsiders his position through a faith-based epistemological lens, particularly within the framework of Islamic thought, where knowledge (ilm) is understood as both divinely revealed and humanly constructed. The paper contends that the limits of translation are not merely linguistic barriers but epistemic boundaries that reveal the diversity of human understanding shaped by revelation, reason, and culture. By examining the semantic shifts between kimlik (identity) and huviyet within Turkish intellectual history, the discussion highlights how translation across languages and worldviews can lead to subtle distortions of meaning. Comparing this with the Indonesian academic and religious context, the study underscores how faith-based values can restore conceptual integrity and humility in cross-cultural scholarship. Consequently, this paper argues that recognizing the limits of translation is essential for building a more reflective and ethically grounded social science. Rather than striving for perfect equivalence, scholars should embrace interpretive awareness that respects the spiritual and cultural origins of meaning, an approach that enriches dialogue between faith, knowledge, and the human sciences.