The first act of "Translations" presents several different instances of translating. Jimmy translates Homer from Greek to Gaelic; Owen translates from English to Gaelic and back; Hugh has his students translate Greek and Latin while he is speaking. In particular, Owen holds a certain power over the people he is translating for. Because neither side understands what the other is saying, Owen can translate however he likes. When he is confronted by Manus for not translating exactly what Lancey was saying he replies "‘uncertainty in meaning is incipient poetry'…" (342). He translates Lancey's comments, but where Lancey uses often complex words and formal phrases, Owen translates it into more basic sentences and words. His intention is to help the Irish understand what is being said. His basic interpretation of what translating entails is illustrated with his disregard of the English soldiers' calling him by the wrong name. He says "Owen—Roland—what the hell. It's only a name. It's......

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Title: "Translations" Reading Response
Approximate Word Count: 339
Approximate Pages: 2 (250 words per double-spaced page)

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