Baile Beag Analytical Essay

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Translations is set in an Irish-speaking town of Baile Beag in the early 19th century. Except for names of places located in Donegal, the play is entirely in English. Language serves as the power that olds over a people and their culture. The entire personality of a society is intertwined in the language that they use. This language depicts their beliefs, traditions and individuality. By the English simply coming in to change the literal language of their lives, it changes the meaning of their soul. Language in this play takes on a strong literal form as well a metaphorical. The citizens of Baile Beag interact with the colonizing soldiers, who come to town to take a survey that will standardize the names. This meant to Anglicize them. The soilders either by changed the sounds to be similar to those of the English language. Cnoc Ban turned to “Knockban,” In other cases they translated them directly. …show more content…

Owen represents those who have already begun to adapt. “ My job is to translate the quaint,archaic tongue youpeo0pel persist in speaking into the King good English.” (30) Jimmy John represents those who are stuck within their own mind and who are not truly concerned with what is happening around them. Yolland represents the outsiders who loved Ireland for what is was and did not wish to change it. Hugh represents the hedge school and how the English mocks Ireland because of their language and lifestyle. Manus and his limp represents how handicapped the English sees old Ireland. Maire represents those in Ireland who want a change. “We should all be learning to speak English” (24.) They want to learn English and possibly even move away. (i.e. Brooklyn) “I want to be able to speak English because I’m moving to America as soon as the harvest’s all saved” (25) Sarah with her almost vacant communication skills, represents those in Ireland who have no voice or say so in what is

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