'Translations' by Brian Friel

by John Brannigan

Genres: Plays, Irish Literature, Historical Fiction, Ireland, Read For School, School, Drama

Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Jennifer]

Read for topics in migration and decolonization 2. Really enjoyed reading this despite how confusing it was

[Elizabeth Valadez · Rating 5 out of 5]

read for class. very good. genius, even

[evie *s-ia* · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so sad <\3

i think more people should read this its really good

[emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

molt interessant, ara entenc molt millor irlanda, estic aprenent molt! llegiu-lo

[Olivia Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3✨
I read the majority of this in an awful Irish accent, it had to be done.
I was a bit confused at first but it wasn't a bad play.
some of it was actually quite emotional - Sarah is literally ireland.
☝🏼 that part only makes sense because I went to the lecture.
this might actually be a good play to study.
❤️

[Lage Saldage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uuf

[asia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved, loved, loved this play. I really hope I will someday be able to see it live. Friel is an amazing storyteller - throughout the play you get so engrossed in the little community’s life that the ending is a painful sort of a goodbye, not only because of what happens in the play, but also because you get so attached to these “foreign” characters and Irish village (just as Yolland did).
I especially admire how Friel interwoven the discussion about the importance of language, remembering and state independence into the play - these are heavy subjects to discuss when you think about how many people died because of fighting for their national identity to be acknowledged and respected, and yet the playwright did not spoil the play by making it too heavy. The balance between the happy and the sad, the funny and the heartbreaking is just perfect - the play is bittersweet after all but I think that is also just how life is and Friel expressed it very well.

[Jillian Tully · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting to see the varying reading levels between male and female. Irish men were bilingual knowing Irish (Gaelic), Greek, Latin, and some English. Women weren't as educated, but neither were the British soldiers as well. It was confusing since this whole play is in English yet the audience has to assume that the main characters are speaking primarily Gaelic and hard to determine when the characters are actually speaking English. Was a very different read and eye-opening to see how people saw English at the time, and how it was a transition period from what language to study with also some drama added in as well.

[Ciara Maguire · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE. Brian Friel managed to create complicated and likeable characters whilst still maintaining their “morally grey” status. The messages surrounding the importance of the Irish language and its’ inter connectivity to the culture in Ireland , both North and South, is conveyed masterfully by Friel. Even though this was a play assigned to me for school, I thoroughly enjoyed my reading experience.

[Madeleine Rose Healey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading again for the first time since A-level English (2016), refreshing my brain before seeing this at the Abbey Theatre, Dublin in three weeks!

What a poignant, striking and unforgettable piece of drama.

[Thomas Raleigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a nice easy read. Gives some context to what was going on in Ireland in the 1800s. Also good work showcasing differences in languages and translations and how that shapes communication. Had myself picturing people acting out the play.

[Nadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever play that explores the British incursion in Ireland, and the role of language.

[Candace Ethelston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sad to see the irreversible damage we can do. Well written

[AFMasten · Rating 4 out of 5]

First read in Ireland as I drove about with Bríd Ní Heslin. Reread while Vince was at the Irish Rep in NYC seeing the play. Wonderful, language rich, devastating.

[Tali Lebowitsch · Rating 5 out of 5]

probably the best play i’ve ever read !!!

[Stick · Rating 5 out of 5]

so good wtf. def my fav thing ive read for english

[Virginia Moreno · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how Brian explains what happened in Ireland in such a subtle way. I read it for class, very appealling.

[Syl · Rating 5 out of 5]

La nostálgica sabiduría de Brian Friel es inigualable.

[Charlotte · Rating 5 out of 5]

yeah this is phenomenal i love Ireland

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy that was incredible

[dina iosad · Rating 5 out of 5]

sighs and opens speakgaelic.scot

[Liam Swinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I partially rescind the statement included in my review of White Teeth. Being British may not be inherently embarrassing, but being English certainly is.

[Cecelia Beyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at place names and their importance, whether true or created. Also shows the cultural imperialism of colonial britain and its obsession with obliterating the old "outdated" local culture in every place it colonized in favor of its "progressive" and more elegant (cough cough) culture. Sigh. There is so much in Friel's play to explore beyond the obvious map and place-naming endeavor. I would love to see it, for as a play ultimately about language and what it communicates. it is meant to be enjoyed live, rather than on the page.