Indicating Difficulty in Describing Something in Words: The Use of Koo in Word Searches in Japanese Talk-in-Interaction

ABSTRACT This study explores how the lexical hesitator koo is used to initiate or continue word searches in Japanese talk-in-interaction. The word koo (“like this,” “in this manner”) is canonically used as a proximal demonstrative adverb of manner, often accompanied by a depicting gesture. We argue that because of its continuity with the canonical use, the hesitator koo (a) projects a descriptive term as a possible search outcome, and (b) indicates difficulty in describing in words what the speaker wants to say. In addition to initiating or continuing a search, the hesitator koo provides information about the type and nature of the resolution of search, thereby enhancing the intersubjectivity of the search process. This study contributes to our understanding of the organization of self-initiated same-turn repair by identifying the function of a particular lingistic resource used for it. Data are in Japanese with English translation.