Adoption vs Adaptation
Irrespective of the huge difference between Adoption and Adaptation in their meanings the two words are often confused due to the appearing similarity in their spellings and sounds. In fact, the word adoption comes from the verb adopt while the word adaptation comes from the verb adapt. In other words, one can say that adoption and adaptation are the noun forms of the verbs adopt and adapt. It is actually not difficult to understand the difference between adoption and adaptation because despite of the similarity in spelling these two words have nothing in common with regard to their meanings.
What does Adoption mean?
The word adoption refers to ‘fostering a child or a village’, and it is important to know that there are several rules governing the process of adoption. In other words, the word adoption gives the meaning of ‘decision to bring up’ or ‘to foster’, as in the sentences given below:
The adoption of the child by the parents was applauded by all.
There are a number of rules to be followed in adoption.
In both the sentences mentioned above, you can see that the word adoption is used in the sense of ‘decision to bring up’ or ‘to foster’ and hence, the first sentence would mean ‘the decision to bring up the child by the parents was applauded by all’, and the second sentence would mean ‘there are a number of rules to be followed when fostering a child. A child that has lost parents is usually adopted, although there is no strict rule about wanting to adopt a child. However, once you go through the procedure of adoption there are rules to be paid attention to as those rules are made to ensure the child’s safety.
What does Adaptation mean?
The word adaptation, on the other hand, refers to the usage ‘to adjust to’. This is primarily the difference between the two words, namely, adoption and adaptation. Observe the two sentences given below:
The adaptation made by the villagers is praise-worthy.
The adopted child did not adapt to the new life as expected.
In both the sentences given above, the word adaptation’ and ‘adapted’ give the sense of ‘to adjust to’, and hence, the meaning of the first sentence would be ‘the villagers adjusted nicely and hence their behavior is praise-worthy’, and the meaning of the second sentence would be ‘the adopted child did not nicely adjust to the new life as expected’.
In the field of literature or films, adaptation means ‘the act of altering (a text) to make it suitable for filming, broadcasting, or the stage.’ You must have seen the expression, ‘an adaptation of’ when watching movies.
What is the difference between Adoption and Adaptation?
• The word adoption refers to ‘fostering a child or a village.’
• The word adaptation, on the other hand, refers to the usage ‘to adjust to’. This is primarily the difference between the two words, namely, adoption and adaptation.
• In other words, it can be said that the word adoption gives the meaning of ‘decision to bring up’ or ‘to foster.’
• When talking about adoption, one should remember that there are some strict rules regarding child adoption.
• Adaption is also a term used when a written work is adapted into another form such as film, drama, and play. These are the differences between the two words, namely, adoption and adaptation.