Mother Tongues and Other Tongues: Behan, Doyle and Rooney in Translation

About this episode

The episode discusses the complexities of translating Irish literature, focusing on Brendan Behan's work and the nuances of language in different cultural contexts.

We're back! Well, sort of. In March 2024 Darach, Gearóidín and Peadar were reunited for a live Seachtain na Gaeilge event in Clondalkin Library (a home advantage for Peadar!) On the occasion of the anniversary of Brendan Behan's death, the gang discussed the controversy surrounding the English translation of his Irish language play An Giall: did Behan approve of this version, and the significant differences in the text? This leads to a discussion of translating Hiberno English and Irish locals contexts in general. Is a Trinity Marxist in a Rooney novel comparable to the understanding of a Marxist that Chinese readers would approach her work with? How about the use of swearing in Roddy Doyle - do Germans swear the same way? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Darach

Topics covered

• translation
• Brendan Behan
• Hiberno English
• Roddy Doyle
• literature

Keywords

• Seachtain na Gaeilge
• Clondalkin Library
• Marxism
• swearing

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: An Giall

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