Pourquoi la transmédialité ?

This paper examines the concept of transmediality and the reasons, both theoretical and ideological, that legitimize its use in the context of contemporary cultural practices. A preliminary enquiry into the terminological composition of this concept observes the prevalence of media on art and language, while the prefix trans is distinguished from inter. The success of transmediality is based on three main reasons: the advent of the digital in social life, the patrimonialization of the popular arts and the resurgence of teleological discourses. It follows that transmediality allows us to explain, maybe in a too enthusiastic way, contemporary forms of adaptation and narrative extension linked to fictional cycles, genres and narrative themes.