The play can be seen as a commentary on the dangers of imperialism and the destruction of a culture through brutal colonialism; it is also about a search for belonging and a sense of home. It can be seen to be concerned with the effect of political situations on the general population of a country, and the conflict between the personal and the political as personified through Owen and Yolland. It is an exploration of how language defines who we are and how we interact with the world and each other. It tries to represent an Ireland that is neither overly romantic, nor overly gritty, though elements of both are present. It is a play about love and friendship, duty and authority, and the past, present and future.

Manus
	Cares for people at the beginning of the play.
	Intelligent and educated.
	Runs away at the end.
	Lacks ambition and vision.

Owen
	Friendly with everyone.
	Takes Manus' place at the end in caring for Sarah and Hugh.
	Betrays Ireland with the English.
	Ran away for six years, like Manus does at the end.

Yolland
	Wants to learn Irish and understand the people.
	Doubts moral validity of what he is doing.
	Overly romantic about Ireland and its language.
	Cannot face up to authority.

Hugh
	Agrees to help Maire at the end.
	Uses Manus and blatantly prefers Owen.
	Sometimes pretentious.

Language and power...

Language and communication...

Language and identity (both cultural and individual)...

Progress...

Friendship and love...

The past and mythology...

Education...

1. Why do you think that Friel gave his play the title Translations?

2. The play is set in 1833. How does Friel make its themes relevant to a modern day audience?

3. Do you agree that Translations is more concerned with the fate of individuals than the fate of nations?

4. "The play is about the characters' search for their true identities." Do you agree?