Translations Brain Friel Analysis
The Power of Language in “Translations” by Brain Friel
In “Translations”, Brian Friel highlights the powerful way language can impact people’s identity and culture, as demonstrated in the small rural town of Baile Beag, Ireland. Friel connects language to political issues regarding the invasion of Ireland by the British, exposing the unbridgeable gap between two different cultures; also he uses symbolism with cultural identity. The narration of the play is in English and Gaelic, providing the reader with an understanding of the language barrier with the two different dialects, which imposes division between the two nations. Translations allows for communication between the two nations, though meaning can also be lost in translation. One of the main themes of this play is the impact of language and the division it can create between nations. During the opening of the play Maire is the first to voice her opinion regarding the English language: “The old language is a barrier to modern progress.” insisting with great desire and …show more content…
Sarah is incapable of communicating through words, allowing us to see her lack of identity and connection to the Gaelic language. It is Manus who encourages Sarah to connect to her identity: “come on, Sarah. This is your secret” (2). Sarah pronounces her name, and with Manus excitement shouts “Nothing will stop us now! Nothing in the wide world!” (3). Sarah is finally able to connect to her identity and culture, announcing her name gives her a presence in the world. Nonetheless, at the end of the play when Captain Lancey is ordering and pointing at Sarah demanding her name: “Who are you? Name!”(81). Sarah is incapable of speaking and lowers her head. Illustrating how the Gaelic language and the Irish identity are being infringed upon by the intrusion of the British, the longer the British are in Ireland the more the Irish language and identity is being
In “Translations”, Brian Friel highlights the powerful way language can impact people’s identity and culture, as demonstrated in the small rural town of Baile Beag, Ireland. Friel connects language to political issues regarding the invasion of Ireland by the British, exposing the unbridgeable gap between two different cultures; also he uses symbolism with cultural identity. The narration of the play is in English and Gaelic, providing the reader with an understanding of the language barrier with the two different dialects, which imposes division between the two nations. Translations allows for communication between the two nations, though meaning can also be lost in translation. One of the main themes of this play is the impact of language and the division it can create between nations. During the opening of the play Maire is the first to voice her opinion regarding the English language: “The old language is a barrier to modern progress.” insisting with great desire and …show more content…
Sarah is incapable of communicating through words, allowing us to see her lack of identity and connection to the Gaelic language. It is Manus who encourages Sarah to connect to her identity: “come on, Sarah. This is your secret” (2). Sarah pronounces her name, and with Manus excitement shouts “Nothing will stop us now! Nothing in the wide world!” (3). Sarah is finally able to connect to her identity and culture, announcing her name gives her a presence in the world. Nonetheless, at the end of the play when Captain Lancey is ordering and pointing at Sarah demanding her name: “Who are you? Name!”(81). Sarah is incapable of speaking and lowers her head. Illustrating how the Gaelic language and the Irish identity are being infringed upon by the intrusion of the British, the longer the British are in Ireland the more the Irish language and identity is being