Language is an integral part of every distinctive culture. It represents a way of life and a way of communication among those that share similar traditions, values, and heritage. The Irish people have consistently been faced with foreign cultures encroaching on their land and threatening not only their culture but also the Gaelic language itself. In Brian Friel’s Translations, the language barrier between the Irish and the English people is explored. The characters are faced with the difficult decision to either give in to the new, foreign language or remain true to the language of the land and resist these changes. Through his treatment of language and its subsequent conflicts among the characters, Friel depicts the identity crisis that occurs
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Sarah is first introduced as a girl who “grunts and makes unintelligible nasal sounds” (Friel 256). This immediately describes her identity in terms of her ability to communicate and alludes to the importance of language throughout the play. Language and identity are so intimately intertwined that when English is enforced upon the Irish people, it strips them of a large part of their identity. Kitishat further explains this and describes how “language is a major marker of one's identity; it reveals how far the people are aware of their history and culture” (Kitishat). Language is an integral part of one’s culture and identity, and the imposition of the English language ultimately silenced the Irish people and reduced them to the helpless identity embodied in Sarah. Prior to the arrival of the English, Sarah is able to recite her name with the help of Manus, as he exclaims, “Now we’re really started! Nothing will stop us now! Nothing in the wide world!” (Friel 257). This feeling of pride embodies the strong sense of identity and enthusiasm that Sarah and Manus felt in her ability to communicate. However, this feeling of excitement and confidence quickly fled in the presence of the English soldiers and the departure of Manus. Manus leaving Sarah’s life symbolizes the loss of both her Irish identity and her confidence, making it increasingly difficult to stand up to the Englishmen. When the English Captain Lancey insists she speak her name, Sarah is now unable to say it and her “mouth opens and shuts, opens and shuts. Her face becomes contorted” as she tries frantically to say her name (Friel 303). Sarah is no longer able to say her name in the presence of the overbearing and intimidating Englishman. Sarah’s confusion and fear of speaking her name in English represent the
Sarah is first introduced as a girl who “grunts and makes unintelligible nasal sounds” (Friel 256). This immediately describes her identity in terms of her ability to communicate and alludes to the importance of language throughout the play. Language and identity are so intimately intertwined that when English is enforced upon the Irish people, it strips them of a large part of their identity. Kitishat further explains this and describes how “language is a major marker of one's identity; it reveals how far the people are aware of their history and culture” (Kitishat). Language is an integral part of one’s culture and identity, and the imposition of the English language ultimately silenced the Irish people and reduced them to the helpless identity embodied in Sarah. Prior to the arrival of the English, Sarah is able to recite her name with the help of Manus, as he exclaims, “Now we’re really started! Nothing will stop us now! Nothing in the wide world!” (Friel 257). This feeling of pride embodies the strong sense of identity and enthusiasm that Sarah and Manus felt in her ability to communicate. However, this feeling of excitement and confidence quickly fled in the presence of the English soldiers and the departure of Manus. Manus leaving Sarah’s life symbolizes the loss of both her Irish identity and her confidence, making it increasingly difficult to stand up to the Englishmen. When the English Captain Lancey insists she speak her name, Sarah is now unable to say it and her “mouth opens and shuts, opens and shuts. Her face becomes contorted” as she tries frantically to say her name (Friel 303). Sarah is no longer able to say her name in the presence of the overbearing and intimidating Englishman. Sarah’s confusion and fear of speaking her name in English represent the