How does Brian Friel establish the theme of language Essay Example for Free

How does Brian Friel establish the theme of expression EssayHow does Brian Friel establish the theme of row and its effects on communication, power and identity in Act one?In the play Translations, language and its effects is clearly one of the central themes. This is observable because the characters all provide what language means to them ranging from Hugh who uses his knowledge of languages as a form of power over the British to Owen who does not show any headache for his language and identity and allows the British to think him Roland. moreover the title of the play Translations is ironic because although one of the themes of the play is keeping your identity the book itself looses its identity. This is because although the play is compose by an Irish author and set in Ireland, it is written in slope. Thus the title foreshadows the outcome of the play.One of the ways Brain Friel establishes the theme of language is by using Sarah as a device to convey the bare minimu m of language. Her limited knowledge of language limits her communication. all the same this could also be a benefit to her as she is able to have secrets without being expected to share them. Sarah is first introduced in the play by the stage directions which say Sarah shakes her head vigorously and stubbornly this is because mitt wants her to speak so she has an identity in the world. This could foreshadow that the Irish, who do not want to speak English will be coerce too for there own good as it will support their country prosper.The character Sarah can be interpreted as the symbol of Ireland watchwordable to the play opening with her trying to claim her identity by saying My name is Sarah. This achievement of Sarah saying her name at the start of the play shows but how powerful language can be as just a few words can turn you from someone who is unknown to a individual who has status in the world. Manus agnises this and reacts by saying nothingll sojourn us now. This can any be interpreted as nothing will stop Sarah from knowledge Gaelic now or that the now in the quote refers to all of Ireland and that as long as people are still learning Gaelic the British will not stamp out their language.The character Manus is Hughs eldest son and is a teacher at Hedge School. The affinity that Manus has with his father is made very clear by Brain Freil when Hugh first enters the play as he treats Manus like a striver by handing him his hat and coat as, if to a footman. Brain Friel shows that due to Manuss lack of communication with his father and his willingness to do all the things his father asks of him, that he has become a servant. Out of all the characters in the play it is only Manus who really sees the British as an enemy in the First Act. This is possible to be because Manus clearly loves his country and his language and sees these two things as part of his identity.Also although the play is not overtly political, political issues do run under t he surface. For illustration when Dan Doalty moves the Britishs poles Manus says this is just a gesture to indicate a presence. However when analysing Doaltys character it can easily be seen that it is highly unlikely he was doing it for this think and was more likely just looking to make fun of the British. furthermore Manus is the only one who sees Owens job as traitorous to Ireland. All the early(a) characters do not even mention it. However although Manus feels this way about Owen, he himself is guilty of betrayal as he ignores Sarah when she tells him that she said her name. As Sarah symbolises Irelands identity ignoring her is like a betrayal to Ireland.The character Jimmy, although contributing to the comedy in act one when Doalty and Bridget are making fun of him. I conceptualize also that this represents just how different the British and Irish culture was in the nineteenth century as his character reveals that in Ireland even the most scurvy man can speak Greek and L atin. In England it is most likely only the richer upper class people would be able to speak these languages unveil that language doesnt represent status in Ireland. Furthermore Jimmys character is also the only character that stays true to his identity as he is ineffectual to speak English and shows know signs of wishing to learn English I have only Irish.However although Jimmy shows know signs of wanting to learn English his love of Latin and Greek have caused him to be unable to communicate properly with otherwise characters as they only speak Gaelic. Thus Jimmy portrays what could come on to Ireland if they do not learn English as they will be cut off from the world. Additionally Jimmys character also uses his knowledge of languages as a power over the British as he mocks captain Lancey for not being able to speak Latin Nonne Latine loquitur?.Brain Friel also shows that due to Jimmys breeding of Greek stories such as the Odyssey he has created an alternative reality for hims elf in which figures of myth are as real to him as the people he sees everyday. This is revealed as he imagines situations when he would have to choose between Athene, Artimis and Helen. Due to these fantasies Manus calls Jimmy a bloody dangerous man suggesting that living in the onetime(prenominal) is dangerous. Thus foreshadowing that Manus, who does not embrace the English language in his country, may be dangerous as he is still living in the pastThe characters captain Lancey and Yolland although both working for the British army have very different views on what they have been ordered to do in Ireland. This is plain by the way that they act when they first meet the Irish people. Captain Lancey who clearly symbolises England as his manner is polite and imperative, is very patronising when he talks, view that if he just talks slow and loud as if to a child the Irish will some how be able to understand him a picture- you understand picture?.However even though he uses this patro nising tone it is clearly unjustified because when jimmy asks him Nonne Latine loquitur? he mistakes it for Gaelic showing that he is not as intelligent as them. Furthermore the language used by Lancey although already in English is very political and imperialistic and it is likely some British people wouldnt understand what he was saying. In comparison Yolland although a soldier has few characteristics normally associated with the military as he is timid and awkward. This is shown when Yolland says I I Ive nothing to say really -. The quote reveals that he is not uncomfortable being in Hedge Schools as he stutters. Furthermore unlike Lancey, Yolland is uneasy about not being able to speak Gaelic as he says Sorry sorry when he cant understand Maire. Additionally Yolland shows very clearly that he values language and identity as he wishes to learn Gaelic.The strong-minded, strong bodied women Maire is a very hard-nosed character as she will do things to better herself. This is shown by her willing to embrace the future and learn English so that she can move to the States as it is the land of opportunities. This reveals that learning English to Maire is a form of power as it will allow her to escape her poor life in Ireland.However although she desires this, there is a clear uncertainty in what Maire wants as she speaks approvingly of modern progress but on other occasions finds comfort in the belief that things will never change. This is shown when she talks about Baile Beags potato crop never failing. The repetition of the word never suggests that her willingness to embrace the future is idealistic and selective showing that she wants some things to change while finding a misplaced assurance in the belief that somethings will never change. This could suggest that although she is willing to fuddle up part of her identity, she is comforted by the fact that it is unlikely to happen.The character Owen is Hughs youngest son an presents a striking contrast to Manus, as he is lively and charming. Furthermore although Owen is the son who left his father to pursue his own ambitions he is treated more warmly then Manus. This could be why Owen and Manuss relationship is uneasy. Owen can either be interpreted as a traitor or as a pragmatic character like Maire. This is because although Owen is helping the British standardise Irish place names, he could just be doing this as he believes embracing English is the only way Ireland will prosper.However due to Owen allowing the British to call him Roland, which is a common British name it is likely that the former is true. This is further apparent as when questioned by Manus about why the British call him Roland he replies with Its only a name. Its the same me isnt it?. This quote reveals that Owen places know value in his identity. Owens translation of what Lancey is saying on pages 31/32 also show how Owen uses his ability to communicate with the English as power over the Irish. This is because h is mistranslation of what Lancey is saying to the Irish allows Owen to make it seem that the British are in their country to help them, not remove their language.The character Hugh although conveyed as a figure of dignity in Baile Beag is ironically a heavy drinker and is shown little respect by characters such as Daolty as he mocks him behind his back by impersonating the way he acts. Hugh, who is fluent in English, Latin, Greek and Gaelic is very exact of the British language referring to it as a language for traders. Furthermore the distain with which he speaks of Lancey for not knowing any Gaelic, Latin and Irish shows how he uses his knowledge of languages as a weapon against the British as he is able to show his superior intelligence.In conclusion Brain Friels uses characters, dramatic setting and many other devices to show how language plays a key role in this play. Furthermore his use of characters in the play to convey the bare minimum of language (Sarah) and the pinnacle of language (Hugh) add to the effect of how he uses language.