Les instruments transitionnels : une proposition pour étudier la diachronie des activités narratives

This paper presents the narrative activity of two polar explorers. We have adopted a unit of diachronic analysis that encompasses the collection procedure during the journey, as well as the drafting of the story afterwards. With this in mind, we focus on two theoretical frameworks : the instrumental approach and the course of action. We suggest using the concept of "transitional instrument" to identify what is occurring within these discontinuous narrative activities. During the journey, the narrators work with various instruments (e.g. photographs, notes) as a way of distancing themselves from the experience. At this stage they create their own transitional instruments. After the journey, the narrators are once again immersed in the travel experience through a display of the items collected, such as sketches, notes and maps. They compose the story by assembling the transitional instruments. We will conclude with a discussion of how diachronicity contributes to a better understanding of creative activities and the related tools.