lintertestualità

Lintertestualità is a term used in literary and critical theory to describe the relationship between texts. It suggests that no text exists in isolation, but rather is shaped by and in dialogue with other texts. This concept, popularized by Julia Kristeva in the 1960s, builds upon the work of Mikhail Bakhtin, particularly his ideas about dialogism.

Intertextuality can manifest in various ways, including allusion, quotation, parody, pastiche, and translation. An allusion is a subtle reference to another work, while a quotation is a direct reproduction of words from another text. Parody imitates a work for comedic effect, often by exaggerating its distinctive features, whereas pastiche blends elements from multiple sources without a satirical intent. Translation, of course, involves rendering a text from one language into another, inherently creating an intertextual link.

The recognition of intertextuality challenges the notion of authorial originality and highlights the interconnectedness of literary traditions. It implies that the meaning of a text is not solely determined by its author or its immediate context, but is also influenced by the reader's knowledge of other texts. Therefore, understanding a text often involves recognizing its connections to the broader literary landscape.