Translations: historical context

Historical Context of ‘Translations’

Colonisation and the Great Famine

‘Translations’ is set in 1833, during the time when Ireland was being colonised by Britain, which was a period characterised by social, economic, and political turmoil.
The policies of the British government directly led to the Great Famine (1845-1849), which devastated the Irish population and economy. Although this horrible event occurs after the timeframe of the play, its looming threat is an unspoken backdrop to the entire narrative.

Dominance of English language

During this period, English language gained dominance over Irish Gaelic. The British government implemented legislation and policies, such as The National School system, that aimed to eradicate the use of Irish Gaelic and replace it with English.
Friel uses language as a metaphor for And the process of renaming by the Ordnance Survey team illustrates the imposition of English culture.

Religious Context

The majority of the Irish population, including characters in ‘Translations’, follow the Roman Catholic faith, which was oppressed by the Protestant Anglo-Irish ruling class during the period.
The play also alludes to the conflict between Catholicism and Anglicanism of the time, voiced through Hugh’s attitude towards the new Anglican church in Baile Beag.

Education and Literacy

The play is set in a hedge school, a form of primary schooling for Catholics that had developed in response to the British laws restricting Catholic education.
The hedge school represents a bastion of Irish culture and language. It also contrasts with the new English-centric National School system that was introduced during this era.

Anglo-Irish Protestants and the Ascendancy Class

The Anglo-Irish are a socially and politically dominant group of Protestant landed gentry in Ireland, who traced their roots back to the English settlers who arrived with the Norman invasion.
The character of Captain Lancey is representative of this Ascendancy class, which is in stark contrast with the Irish Catholic community shown in the play.

Political Protest and Cultural Nationalism

The period saw amplified calls for self-governance and expressions of cultural autonomy, collectively known as the Irish Nationalist Movement.
‘Translations’ traces the nascent stages of this movement, encapsulating the Irish community’s resistance and struggle against British colonisers.