The significance of the relationship between language and identity in ‘Translations’ and ‘The Han...

1. Introduction/Argument

1.1. The relationship between language and identity is constantly presented as a driving factor in both texts, demonstrating how both writers weigh the link heavily in terms of importance.

2. Para 1 - Naming

2.1. Significance and power of renaming - the meanings of names.

2.1.1. Gilead - old names, personal identity means nothing but class names do, social identity determines how much power, value one has.

2.1.2. Baile Beag - 'Owen/Roland' personal identity does not matter much but the changing of place names means everything to the irish people.

2.2. "We name a thing and - bang! it leaps into existence"

2.2.1. Friel presents language as volatile, spontaneous , contrasts Atwood - Gilead's very restrictive language.

2.2.2. Ronald Rollins article: ‘Translations: The Ritual of Renaming’

2.3. Gilead's biblical class names

2.3.1. Used as a tool by Gilead to help maintain the theocratic dictatorship.

3. Para 2 - Context

3.1. Friel's Interview: Friel speaks about how he would love to see the play in other places

3.1.1. It is about more than a country that the whole world knows is constantly at war with itself.

3.2. The 1980s - significant time for each writer.

3.2.1. Friel - Irish, troubles

3.2.2. Atwood - second wave feminism