A look at the play Translations compared to Saussres theory.

To objectively look at language as more than a means of communication would be an impossible task. Metaphorically speaking, it would be like getting dropped into the middle of a civilization that you knew nothing about but had to communicate with. It would be like trying to explicate the holy book of an ancient culture; needless to say it would be difficult. This doesn’t contradict the fact that parallels do exist between cultures, just that your specific cultural make-up would affect the way in which you would perceive things. Your disposition would be naturally biased against any conflicting ideals; the diversity that mediates ethnicity would be evident. To clarify, in the play Translations, when Yolland and Lancey attempt to communicate with the villagers they cannot be understood not only because of the language barrier, but because of reasons directly pertaining to culture and background as well. They’re differences might begin at the base of they’re ethnicity but then...