TEACHING SCREENWRITING AS TRANSLATION AND ADAPTATION:CRITICAL
REFLECTIONS ON DEFINITIONS AND ROMANTICISM 2
Abstract
This chapter discusses teaching screenwriting in terms of translation
and adaptation. Realigning terminology with everyday language,
translation is redefined as an invariance-based phenomenon while
adaptation is reconceived as a variance-based phenomenon, which entails
better fit. More specific working definitions follow specifying what one
could be teaching or learning in more precise terms.
The acceptance of these proposals remains a matter of contention. One
major obstacle involves the current Western Romantic view on art and
culture. Having driven a rift between art and craft, Romanticism 2.0
opposes the aforesaid working definitions, and disparages screenwriting,
translation, and adaptation, lest they comply with the Romantic rule.
Suggestions follow to re-open the Romantic view to its pre-Romantic
stance, and to revalue both art and craft values in screenwriting,
translation and adaptation.
Finally, conclusions highlight some caveats foreshadowing resistance
also against nudging back Romanticism 2.0 to its pre-Romantic views.