Lexical Challenges of Islamic Concepts in Early Malay-English Dictionaries by Thomas Bowrey and William Marsden

Abstract

Islamic lexicon played an important role in shaping the early Malay-English dictionaries compiled by Western scholars such as Thomas Bowrey (1659–1713) and William Marsden (1754–1836). This paper explores how these early lexicographers integrated Islamic terminology into their bilingual dictionaries, revealing Islam’s profound cultural and intellectual influence on the Malay language from the 17th to 19th century. Through a comparative analysis, this study delves into Bowrey and Marsden’s choices when documenting the following Arabic-derived terms and Islamic concepts: Allah, haram, nabi, and neraka. This method allows for an in depth look at how these dictionaries balanced the accurate representation of native meanings with Western interpretations influenced by the colonial context. The study finds that while these dictionaries functioned as valuable linguistic bridges that facilitated communication and understanding between cultures, they also reflected the biases and limitations of their time. This research highlights the challenges of accurately documenting Islamic knowledge and its lasting impact on understanding and preserving the Malay language and its religious heritage.

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