How is cultural identity crucial in understanding Translations?I have snippits of points, but I'm having problems working out a strong, concise...

I think that you are on the right track with your
thoughts.  My guess is if you continue thinking about them, you will no doubt come
across a good thesis statement.  In looking at the issue of cultural identity in Friel's
work, I cannot help but feel that the dynamic between the national English speaking
school and the small, countryside hedge- school of Gaelic speaking instruction is where
cultural identity discussions can go.  The fact that Gaelic is still being taught in a
setting where English is encroaching is a powerful element.  It might help to reaffirm
what cultural identity means in a setting that is becoming devoid of it.  As English
spreads and homogenizes its speakers, the patterns of recognition become more global and
more wide ranging, causing the individual nuance of verbal cultural identity to
disappear in favor of something that is more universally accepted.  The fact that
language is a critical metaphor for cultural identity helps to enhance this idea.  When
progress is linked with universality that reduces the power of individual nuance, what
happens to cultural patterns of recognition?  This work is a great prophecy for the
globalization that was to grip the 21st Century, and the same discussions seem to be
emerging in the drama as is happening now.  The reality is that cultural identity
becomes a critical point in understanding what both happens in the play and its overall
theme.