Intertekstuelle

Intertekstuelle refers to the quality or phenomenon of intertextuality, the network of relationships that link a text to other texts through explicit quotation, allusion, stylistic imitation, parody, pastiche, or adaptation. The concept emphasizes that texts do not exist in isolation but participate in ongoing cultural and literary dialogues, drawing meaning from prior works and contributing new interpretations.

The theoretical groundwork for intertextuality emerged in the mid-20th century, notably in the writings of Julia Kristeva, who built on Mikhail Bakhtin’s ideas of dialogism. Scholars use the term to describe both the formal techniques authors employ and the interpretive processes readers undertake to recognize and decode references. Common forms include direct quotation, genre borrowing, narrative framing, and reworking of motifs or themes.

Intertekstuelle relations serve multiple functions: they situate a work within a tradition, create irony or commentary, enable layered meanings, and invite comparative reading. The concept is applied across literature, film, music, visual arts, and digital media, where remixing and sampling intensify intertextual dynamics. Debates around intertextuality address authorial intent versus reader interpretation, cultural appropriation, and legal boundaries between homage and plagiarism. Analytical approaches range from close reading and comparative analysis to computational methods mapping textual connections.