Moral Dilemmas Faced by characters in Friels 'Translations'
In ‘Translations’, Brian Friel explores the nature and the use of language, its immense value as well as its limitations. One large theme he develops is the relationship between language, culture and identity, and the dilemma that is caused as a result.The play charts the tragic relations between Maire and Yolland, the local Irish girl and the well-meaning English soldier. He is misunderstood by the community, which feels threatened by his invasive presence. Indeed, the English language is wiping out any trace of Irish culture, changing the Ireland as a nation, and Yolland's job, anglicising each and every place-name, is contributing to this process. Thus the relationship between these two lovers is destined to fail, in a manner reminiscent of Romeo the Montague and Juliet the Capulet. If only Irish and English could get along, if only language were immaterial, we are made to think, these two clearly compatible beings could flourish together. Their closeness and love is shown to be so powerful as to often not even require a language to express them: MAIRE [in Irish]: 'the grass must be wet. My feet are soaking'. YOLLAND [in English]: 'your feet must be wet. The grass is soaking.' In the same scene, Yolland tells Maire how he y
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Some common words found in the essay are:
English Roland, Latin Greek, Yolland Maire, Owen' Manus, Irish English, Manus Sarah, Ireland Maire, Indeed English, Maire Yolland, Brian Friel, english language, language culture identity, culture identity, cultural borders, language culture, irish english, mixing english, yolland maire, interpret privacies, maire yolland, value limitations,
Approximate Word count = 1441
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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