Fighting the ‘One Land, One Nation, One Language’ Policy in Irish and Scottish Drama: Difference in/Differences

Résumé En

Difference means distinction, dissimilarity, non-identity and can thus be opposed to sameness and identity. The substantive signifies disagreement in opinion, quarrel and dispute; it can thus be associated to debate, the very basis of theatre. To be different is to be unlike, of other nature, form or quality. All these definitions relate ‘the self and the other’ in their dissimilar identities, in their dominant/dominated conditions, and in their opposition(s) in the social situations of life, including human communications and politics.What is dealt with in this study, is first the linguistic choice, or constraint, which exists in a nation and in its cultural components, drama being one among many others. How it is related to national and individual identity, to the construction or keeping of nationhood and the construction of the self, is a second topic which is developed. Third and last point is why one or several tongues are used in a country and in a play, and what for. In other words, since ‘One Land, one nation, one language policies’ try to erase differences, whereas polyglossy endeavours to keep them alive, this paper questions how polyglossy makes a nation different from its monoglossic other(s), and consequently, how polyglossic dramatic writing fosters or engenders difference(s).