Projection and grammar: Notes on the 'action-projecting' use of the distal demonstrative are in Japanese

Projection refers to the feature of human conduct that prefigures possible trajectories of how an action (or a sequence of actions) might develop in the next moment, and which thereby allows interactants to negotiate and accomplish coordinated action in the subsequent course of interaction. The present study explores the mechanism of projection with a focus on the relationship between projection and grammar. To that end, this study examines a particular turn-constructional practice involving the 'action-projecting' use of the distal demonstrative pronoun are ('that one; that thing') in Japanese. The point of departure for the study is the observation made by previous research that, due to some typological features of Japanese grammar, the projection of unfolding turn-shape and action-type is achieved relatively late in the course of a turn in Japanese. Through a detailed examination of relevant data from naturally-occurring Japanese conversations among peers as well as from TV talk shows, this study shows that Japanese speakers can nonetheless achieve early projection of forthcoming action through the use of the turn-constructional practice involving 'action-projecting' are and thereby compensate for delayed projectability. Issues arising from the analytic section of this study include the question of whether and how various projection techniques are grammaticized into grammatical constructions in different languages.