علی نمازی

  Intermodal translation introduces novel challenges in translation studies, requiring researchers and practitioners to fundamentally rethink the meaning-making potential and interaction of each mode. This study narrowed this wide area to focus specifically on videogame adaptation. Existing literature on videogame adaptation is largely conceptual and introductory, with few data-driven, methodological studies that analyze how different semiotic modes reshape literature. The present research tried to fill this gap by providing a multimodal analysis of three children’s picture books that are adapted to survival horror videogames. The study asked six questions about (۱) setting features, (۲) setting type, (۳) verbal–visual symmetry, (۴) characters’ presence, (۵) character features, and (۶) character type in this particular intermodal translation. Space, thing, and time elements were analyzed to investigate setting features. Setting type and verbal–visual symmetry were analyzed using Nikolajeva and Scott’s (۲۰۰۶) framework. Character presence was analyzed by comparing names and coding them as preserved, changed, added, or omitted. Character features were explored using Rimmon-Kenan’s (۲۰۰۵) and Egri’s (۱۹۴۶) frameworks. Characterization type and character nature were also analyzed via Nikolajeva and Scott’s framework. Results showed clear patterns. Videogames employed much more setting features than the books (۲۵۶% increase). Setting type changed in ۶۵.۲۲% of the correspondences. In ۶۹.۰۵% of the correspondences, the symmetry between verbal and visual modes changed. Regarding characters’ presence, most characters (۷۴.۹۵%) appear only in the books or only in the videogames. Character features declined sharply: total coded character features fell from ۲۵۰۰۱ in the books to ۸۸۷۱ in the games. In contrast, characterization type and character nature changed less dramatically. This may suggest that books tend to convey their narratives mainly through characterization, while videogames more often rely on setting to communicate their stories. All in all, increasing communicative channels in intermodal translation greatly increases setting features, yet it does not necessarily enhance character development.