A survey of the 'new' discipline of adaptation studies : between translation and interculturalism

Literary scholars and historians have long noted a strong tendency in all human societies to rewrite original texts, ending in the production of adaptations that are only loosely connected to their sources. In our age, however, attention has also been drawn to the way these adaptations serve as carriers of cultural subjects and formations that are transmitted through various media, verbal (literary) as well as visual (filmic). Reviewing the research of the past several decades, one might say the study of adaptation as a means whereby cultures cross national and linguistic boundaries has flourished through the work done by scholars of film adaptations, intercultural theatre and children's literature. However, for some time translation theorists have actually been exploring the theoretical underpinnings of adaptations while providing the methodological tools for close textual investigation. On the other hand, adaptations are also a key area of inquiry for researchers in intercultural studies, which focuses on the interactive relationship between elements belonging to two cultures. Adaptation is, in effect, a translational as well as intercultural mode. Adapted from the source document