intertext

Intertext refers to a text that participates in a network of relations with other texts through quotation, allusion, parody, pastiche, or transformation. The concept is closely associated with Julia Kristeva, who developed the theory of intertextuality in the 1960s, arguing that any text is a mosaic of references to other works. Meaning, in this view, arises not from a single voice but from the dialogue among texts across genres, media, and cultures.

Intertext and intertextuality are related but distinct. An intertext is the actual text that is cited, echoed, or transformed within another work. Intertextuality is the broader phenomenon or theoretical framework describing how texts relate to one another and how those relations shape interpretation.

Texts achieve intertextual effects through various mechanisms, including direct quotation, allusion, parody, pastiche, translation, and adaptation. Examples include literary works that echo or rework classical or canonical texts, films that imitate or reference earlier cinema, or songs that borrow phrases from other songs. Readers or viewers, by recognizing these references, bring additional layers of meaning that depend on cultural context and prior knowledge.

The concept has been influential across literature, film, and media studies, highlighting how authors position themselves within a tradition or conversation. Critics note that intertextual analysis can challenge notions of authorship and originality, emphasizing the collaborative and historical nature of meaning. At the same time, it can be accused of overemphasizing textual dependence at the expense of other factors such as ideology, material production, and audience reception.