'Translations' is set in 1833, in County Donegal, which was soon after the time when Britain had claimed Ireland as part of its empire. The British and the Irish therefore had differing languages, so the British decided to go through the process of naming or renaming Ireland's geographical features. In 'Translations' language and identity are used more as a plot device and plot feature rather than as part of stylistic technique, which is their most common role.

When the play was first performed by Friel's own theatre company it was performed in the Irish language, and at the start of the play, all the characters speak Irish as their first language, the English language comes into the script a lot later, which reflects the course of events in Ireland over the past two centuries. All these characters have been brought up speaking the language and it is a fundamental part of their life, culture and identity.

English is the second main language in the play. It represents the future to Maire and Owen, and 'a mistake' to Hugh and Manus. The two English speakers come as part of the same assignment, to make a map of the country and to 'see that the p

For something to have an identity, then it is specified to have a unique quality, so identities can counter each other. This is shown as there is a difference between the English identity and the Irish identity. Differing identities can create boundaries, as

English Literature, by saying "Wordsworth?.... No I'm afraid we're not familiar with your literature, Lieutenant. .... We tend to overlook your island". However it wasn't long after 1831 when Chief Secretary Stanley introduced a system of National Education in Ireland, where English was to be the sole language to be taught and the language in which all subjects would be taught, so Wordsworth's poetry was to be read and recited by the majority of children in Ireland.

of translator , a pivot between English and Irish. At one point in the script he shows more interest in anglicizing the Irish town names than Yolland, the Englishman who is responsible for this. He dismisses the history behind the town name of Tobair Vree as a "trivial little story nobody in the parish remembers" even though he remembers it in full himself. Another aspect of his divided nature is his name. His real name and identity, Owen, is compromised when the English characters refer to him as Roland. At first he is happy to be called Roland, but eventually the importance of his real name

The play is set at a time when colonization is occurring through education and thus language in Ireland, rather than through brute force. It is a time of division in Ireland between those who claim to be looking forward to progress in Ireland with the

could represent a loss of Irish heritage to English dominance or a progression towards a new way of life in Ireland. Names aren't the only measure of identity, but they do symbolize identity, and the act of naming or renaming is certainly a step to create or

The most pivotal character who shows conflicting attitudes to language and identity is Owen. He was obviously brought up in a very Irish environment (with Hugh as a father), but his transition to the English outlook seems to occur when he receives further education. His conflicting interests are highlighted as he has the role

One of the main functions of language in the play, is to create or reflect identity. When the place names are anglicized, like when Baile Beag is turned into Ballybeg, we have to assess how much identity a name represents. The renaming of the town

Some common words found in the essay are:
Maire Yolland, English Irish, British Irish, Irish English, Roland Ballybeg, Nellie Ruadh's, Ireland Hugh, Tobair Vree, Maire English, England Ireland, english language, english irish, language identity, lack communication, irish english, maire yolland, english language hugh, languages create, break boundaries, hugh seen, friel language, communication english irish, lack communication english,
Approximate Word count = 1718
Approximate Pages = 7 (250 words per page double spaced)