What lessons can we learn from Babe, a sheep-pig, about inter-cultural adaptation?

Abstract

This paper examines the movie Babe to discuss inter-cultural adaptation strategies and the role that affection and trust plays in inter-cultural relations. Specifically this paper discusses these inter-cultural themes in the context of who Babe becomes (a sheep-pig) and what his transformation into this hybrid may teach us about the inter-cultural adaptation journey. The paper provides a description of the major themes and characters in the movie, and shows how Babe and other animal characters approach the process of intercultural adaptation with varied degrees of success. We suggest that Babe is a useful resource for educators, and suggest ways that the movie can be used to promote dialogue in the classroom about inter-cultural adaptation strategies.