Product Description

August 1833 - the first Royal Ordnance Survey is translating the local Gaelic place names of the townland of Baile Beag in County Donegal into English, with far reaching personal and cultural effects for the small group involved.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5704 in Books
• Published on: 1981-04-27
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 72 pages

Customer Reviews

Translations review by Leenie
Translations now firmly holds a place on A-level and University reading lists everywhere and rightly so. It's a beautiful play which focuses on the potential erosion of Irish Culture along with the eradication of the Gaelic Language and Irish place names, by British troops. However, you don't need to be clued-up on Irish politics to enjoy translations. The moving union between an Irish Speaking Country Girl and a British Solider proves that love only knows one language.

What about an audio-book for it?
Brian Friel's play "Translations"is most certainly a great read but why isn't there a published recording of it? All students of English, native or foreign, who are interested in languages must read it. However, I'm stunned that in this day and age when most published works have their audio versions, this play of all books, apparently hasn't one accompanying it. I understand that in this play the voices and accents with their intermingling of Latin, Greek, English and Gaelic play an important role. As a French national, I would certainly appreciate listening to it, simply because of all the Gaelic place names whose pronounciation must be known for the play to be enjoyed thoroughly; it'd certainly make sense.

An Engligh Text WIth an Irish Takeover
Brian Friel is no doubt amoungst the best of all Irish writers. This play 'Translations,' is a fine accomplishment. The action is simple, but highly effective. The British Army have just arrived in an Irish speaking land with the purpose of mapping the area. The dramtic action unfolds in a quick and queit way but to great effect. What seems like a simple stage play is wraught with significance and undertone. It is simply a must read for everyone.