Mariko Kotani

小谷　真理子

Mariko Kotani (Ph.D. in Communication, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA) studies how participants in talk-in-interaction deal with potentially problematic situations across cultures, using ethnography of communication and conversation analysis as theoretical and methodological frameworks. She currently teaches at Aoyama Gakuin University in Tokyo, Japan.

RESEARCH INTERESTS
	■ Ethnography of Communication - speech codes about remedying problematic situations; - use of codes in intercultural interaction; - boundaries of speech communities; - ethnographic research methods.
	■ Conversation Analysis - repair, compliment responses, assessments, and epistemology in conversation; - understanding and misunderstanding in talk; - multiple identities in interaction; - accounts, apologies, remedial and aligning actions in conversation. - analysis of conversation between first and second language users of English;
	■ Communication and Culture - intercultural communication; - frameworks for studying communication and culture; - ethnography and conversation analysis for studying intercultural communication.

PUBLICATIONS Journal Articles
2017		Dynamic nature of boundaries of speech communities: Learning and negotiating codes in intercultural communication. Journal of Intercultural Communication Research, 46, (5): 463-477. Oxford, England: Routledge. http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/NrMisdfnf774erWdAiHY/full
2017		Initiating side-sequenced vocabulary lessons: Asymmetry of linguistic knowledge and opportunities for learning in conversation. Pragmatics and Society, 8, (2): 254-280. Amsterdam: John Benjamins. https://benjamins.com/catalog/ps.8.2.05kot https://drive.google.com/file/d/158kQ_h2crM0Zb3R1GHKiaReQZRK5dK_q/view?usp=sharing
2016		Two codes for remedying problematic situations: Japanese and English speakers’ views of explanations and apologies in the United States. Journal of Intercultural Communication Research, 45, (1-2): 126-144. Oxford, UK: Routledge. http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/dnHxaQFDJaESQEYzhAyi/full
2009		“Bunka no chigai” saikou: Ibunka komyunikeishon kenkyu ni okeru mittsu no shiten [Reconsidering “cultural differences”: Three views in intercultural communication research] (in Japanese). Speech Communication Education, 22, 67-76. Tokyo: Communication Association of Japan (CAJ).
2008		Reinforced codes and boundaries: Japanese speakers’ remedial episode avoidance in problematic situations with “Americans.” Research on Language and Social Interaction, 41, (4): 339-363. New York/London: Routledge. http://www.tandfonline.com/eprint/zjX799YbKFTkp8mCQRUe/full
2008		Bunka to komyunikeishon kenkyu ni okeru rironteki wakugumi no gaikan: Ibunka komyunikeishon kyouiku e no ouyou no kanousei [Frameworks for studying communication and culture: Implications for intercultural communication education] (in Japanese). Speech Communication Education, 21, 43-54. Tokyo: Communication Association of Japan (CAJ).
2002		Expressing gratitude and indebtedness: Japanese speakers' use of “I'm sorry” in English conversation. Research on Language and Social Interaction, 35, (1): 39-72, Mahwah, NJ/ London: Lawrence Erlbaum. http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1207/S15327973RLSI35-1_2
1994		Ways of arguing in two cultures: A case analysis of a negotiation between Japanese and American business professionals. Intercultural Communication Studies, 4, (1): 59-82. San Antonio, TX: International Association for Intercultural Communication Studies (IAICS).
Book Chapters
2011		Kaiwa bunseki [Conversation analysis]. In Kiyoko Sueda, Hisako Kakai, Katsuya Tasaki, & Junko Saruhashi (Eds.), Komyunikeishon kenkyu hou [Research methods in communication studies] (Chapter 14, pp. 170-183) (in Japanese). Kyoto, Japan: Nakanishiya Publishing.
2008		Apologies and remedial episodes. In Wolfgang Donsbach (Ed.), The international encyclopedia of communication (Vol. 1, pp. 187-189). Oxford, England: Wiley-Blackwell.
1999		A discourse analytic approach to the study of Japanese apology: The “feel-good” apology as a cultural category. In Naomi Sugimoto (Ed.), Japanese apology across disciplines (pp. 125-154). Commack, NY: Nova Science.
Online Bibliographies
2023	Apologies and Accounts. In P. Moy (Ed.), Oxford Bibliographies in Communication. New York: Oxford University Press. www.oxfordbibliographies.com
PRESENTATIONS Conference Presentations
2020		“Use of codes in naturally occurring interaction: Instances of marking boundaries of speech communities.” Paper presented at the 70th Annual Conference of International Communication Association (ICA), May 20-27, Gold Coast, Australia (converted to virtual due to COVID-19).
2013		“Participants’ methods to initiate vocabulary-learning side sequences in conversation.” Paper presented at the conference, “Thinking, doing, learning: Usage based perspectives on second language learning,” organized by The Second Language Research Center, the University of Southern Denmark, April, Odense, Denmark.
2004		“Co-constructing extensive accounts: Japanese speakers’ practice with English speakers.” Paper presented at the 54th Annual Conference of International Communication Association (ICA), May, New Orleans, U.S.A.
2003		“Accounting episodes as communicative practice affecting cultural knowledge.” Paper presented at the 53rd Annual Conference of International Communication Association (ICA), May, San Diego, U.S.A.
2001		“English and Japanese speakers’ views of giving accounts.” Paper presented at the 87th Annual Conference of National Communication Association (NCA), November, Atlanta, U.S.A.
2000		“When ‘I’m sorry’ does not mean admitting responsibility: Japanese speakers’ use of apology.” Paper presented at the 86th Annual Conference of National Communication Association (NCA), November, Seattle, U.S.A.
1997		“Accounting practices of the Japanese students in the United States: Explorations of their meanings of apology.” Paper presented at the 47th Annual Conference of International Communication Association (ICA), May, Montreal, Canada.
1997		“Reconsidering ‘cultural’ differences: Implications for studying communication and culture. Paper presented at the 6th International Conference on Cross-Cultural Communication, March, Tempe, Arizona, U.S.A.
1995		“Getting over interactional obstacles: A conversation analysis of talk involving non-native speakers of English.” Paper presented at the 5th International Conference on Cross-Cultural Communication, August, Harbin, China.
1993		“Cultural ways of arguing: A case analysis of American-Japanese business negotiation.” Paper presented at the 4th International Conference on Cross-Cultural Communication, March, San Antonio, U.S.A.
Respondent and Discussant at Conferences
2003		Invited respondent, “Komyunikeishon riron [Communication theories]” (in Japanese). Communication Association of Japan (CAJ) Kanto Chapter annual meeting, Tokai University, February, Tokyo, Japan.
1994		Invited discussant, “Rethinking stereotypes: Japanese language and culture.” Graduate Student Conference on East Asia at Columbia University, February, New York, U.S.A.
Invited Lecture and Departmental Presentations
2019		“Kanyo to dokuritsu no jilenma to kansetsu hyogen [Involvement and independence dilemma and indirect expressions]” (in Japanese). Public lecture presented in the course, “Learning Japanese Expressions,” at Sainokuni Ikigai Daigaku Wako Gakuen (Saitama Prefecture open university for seniors), February 5, 2019, Saitama, Japan.
2019 & 2018		“Kaiwa bunseki kenkyu no ichirei: Side-sequenced vocabulary lesson [A case in conversation analytic research: Side-sequenced vocabulary lesson]” (in Japanese). Invited guest lecture presented in the undergraduate class, “Language Variation,” in the Media, Communication and Culture major in the Department of Society, Culture and Media at International Christian University (ICU), November 12, 2019 & November 6, 2018, Tokyo, Japan.
2018 & 2017		“Kotoba no yaritori kara shojiru gokai [Misunderstanding caused in the exchanges of words] (in Japanese). Public lecture presented in the intercultural communication course at Sainokuni Ikigai Daigaku Kawagoe Gakuen (Saitama Prefecture open university for seniors), May 2018 & July 2017 Saitama, Japan.
2005		“Kotonaru ruuru ga shoutotsu suru toki: Amerika no nihonjin ryuugakusei kara miru bunka no kyoukai [Conflicting rules in boundaries of cultures: Views of Japanese students in the United States]” (in Japanese). Public lecture presented at the Annual Meetings of English Literary Society, Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, December, Tokyo, Japan.
2005		“Esunomesodorojii to kaiwa bunseki [Ethnomethodology and conversation analysis]” (in Japanese). Invited guest lecture presented in the graduate seminar, “Research Methods,” in the Graduate Program of International Communication at Aoyama Gakuin University, July, Tokyo, Japan.
2004		“Kaiwa bunseki no kiso to jissen [Basics and practices of conversation analysis]” (in Japanese). Invited guest lecture presented in the graduate seminar, “Research Methods,” in the Graduate Program of International Communication at Aoyama Gakuin University, July, Tokyo, Japan.
2002		“Shazai no imi wo megutte: Nichibei hikaku to komyunikeishon [Meanings of apology: American-Japanese comparisons and communication]” (in Japanese). Invited public lecture given in the Public Lecture Series, “Komyunikeishon to ibunka e no manazashi [Communication with Eyes Toward Other Cultures]” at Aoyama Gakuin University (co-sponsored by Shibuya City Education Committee), December, Tokyo, Japan.
1993		“Argument forms and cultural assumptions: A Japanese and American business negotiation.” Paper presented at the Colloquium, Department of Rhetoric and Communication, Temple University, November, Philadelphia, U.S.A.

EDUCATION

Graduate Degrees
1999	Ph.D. in Communication. Temple University, Philadelphia, U.S.A. Dissertation: Accounting actions of Japanese in the United States: An exploration of views and practices in communicating with Americans. Chair, Joseph P. Folger; committee members, Anita Pomerantz, Tricia Jones, Aquiles Iglesias.
1992	M.A. in Communication. Temple University, Philadelphia, U.S.A. Thesis: American-Japanese business negotiation: A discourse-centered approach. Advisor, Joseph P. Folger.
Other
	B.A. in English Literature and Linguistics. Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
	Joshigakuin High School, Tokyo, Japan.
ACADEMIC POSITIONS AND TEACHING EXPERIENCES (IN JAPAN)
2020 –2022 2019 –2023	Lecturer in Communication, Department of English, Tsuda University, Tokyo, Japan Lecturer in Communication, Graduate School of and College of Intercultural Communication, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan
2014– 2018	Associate Professor (Special Appointment), Graduate School of Intercultural Communication, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan
2006 –	Lecturer in Communication, Graduate School of International Politics, Economics and Communication, and Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
2003– 2006	Associate Professor of Communication, Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
1999– 2003	Assistant Professor of Communication, Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan. Tenured on appointment in 1999.
Graduate Courses Taught
2019 –2023	■ Communication theories (taught online in 2020),
2016 –2018	■ Ethnography of communication,
2014 –2018	■ Conversation analysis,
2014– 2015	■ Intercultural communication: Studies in language and social interaction,
2006 –	■ Ethnomethodology and conversation analysis,
2005	■ Language and social interaction,
2005	■ Analyzing everyday conversation.
Undergraduate Seminar Courses Taught
2020 –2023	■ Analyzing everyday interaction (Seminar in English)
2019	■ Interpersonal communication (Special topics in intercultural communication, taught in English)
2005, 2003	■ Analysis of conversation between native and nonnative speakers,
2004	■ Communication and culture: Analyzing everyday talk,
2003	■ Communication, identities, and culture,
2002	■ Analyzing conversation and culture,
2001	■ Communication and culture: From members’ perspectives,
2000	■ Communication between cultures: Ethnographic interview method,
1999	■ Intercultural communication research,
1999, 2000	■ Interpersonal communication (Integrated English seminar, taught in English).
Undergraduate Lecture Courses Taught
2020–2022	■ Language and communication (taught online in English)
2000– 2006	■ Introduction to intercultural communication,
2006	■ Understanding self: From perspectives of language, meanings, and communication (Aoyama Standard lecture, team-taught)
ACADEMIC POSITION AND TEACHING EXPERIENCES (IN THE UNITED STATES)
1990– 1995	Lecturer in Communication, Temple University, Philadelphia, Instructor Appointment in 1994-1995, Graduate Assistant Teaching Appointment in 1990-1994, taught: ■ Interpersonal communication (autonomously in 1992–1995) ; ■ Communication and cultural differences (with Barbie Zelizer in 1994); ■ Communication and popular culture (with Barbie Zelizer in 1994); ■ Interpersonal communication (with Joseph P. Folger; Tricia Jones in 1990-1992), Department of Rhetoric and Communication, U.S.A.
ACADEMIC LECTURES ORGANIZED AND CHAIRED
2011	Co-Organized Communication Lecture by, and Presented Introduction of, Wendy Leeds-Hurwitz, Invited Speaker, (Director of Center for Intercultural Dialogue, and Professor Emerita of Communication at University of Wisconsin-Parkside, U.S.A.), at Aoyama Gakuin University, Graduate Program of International Communication, May, Tokyo, Japan.
2004	Organizer and Chair of Communication Lecture by Herbert W. Simons, Invited Speaker, (Professor of Communication at Temple University, U.S.A.), at Aoyama Gakuin University, Department of English, January, Tokyo, Japan.
2002 – 2003	Organizer of Communication Distinguished Lecture Series “Communication Research: The State of the Art” at Aoyama Gakuin University, Department of English, Tokyo, Japan.
2002	Organizer and Chair of Communication Lectures by Robert T. Craig and Karen Tracy, Invited Speakers, (Professors of Communication at University of Colorado, Boulder, U.S.A.), in the Communication Distinguished Lecture Series “Communication Research: The State of the Art,” at Aoyama Gakuin University, Department of English, July, Tokyo, Japan.
ACADEMIC SERVICE
Academic Journal Editorial Board
2016	Multicultural Relations / Tabunkakankeigaku. Japan: Japan Society for Multicultural Relations.
Academic Journal Manuscript Reviewing
2021, 2023	Annals of the International Communication Association. International Communication Association (ICA), Routledge.
2020	Language and Communication. Elsevier.
2019	The Japanese Journal of Language in Society / Shakaigengokagaku. Tokyo: The Japanese Association of Sociolinguistic Sciences.
2018	Journal of International and Intercultural Communication. National Communication Association (NCA), Routledge.
2018	Journal of Intercultural Communication Research. Routledge.
2017	Pedagogies: An International Journal. Routledge.
2017	The Japanese Journal of Language in Society / Shakaigengokagaku. Tokyo: The Japanese Association of Sociolinguistic Sciences.
2015	Multicultural Relations / Tabunkakankeigaku. Japan: Japan Society for Multicultural Relations.
2014, 2015	Intercultural Communication Review / Ibunka Komyunikeishon Ronshu. Tokyo: Graduate School of Intercultural Communication at Rikkyo University.
2011	Intercultural Communication Studies / Ibunka Komyunikeishon Kenkyu. Chiba, Japan: International Communication Institute at Kanda University of International Studies.
2010	Research on Language and Social Interaction. Routledge.
Academic Conference Submission Reviewing
2023	National Communication Association (NCA), Language and Social Interaction Division (LSI), The 109th Annual Convention in National Harbor, MD, 2023.
2019 2017	International Communication Association (ICA), Language and Social Interaction Division (LSI), The 70th Conference in Gold Coast, Australia (converted to virtual due to COVID-19), 2020. International Communication Association (ICA), Language and Social Interaction Division (LSI), The 68rd Conference in Prague, Czech Republic, 2018.
2002	International Communication Association (ICA), Language and Social Interaction Division (LSI), The 53rd Conference in San Diego, 2003.
Book Endorsement
2002	Everyday Talk: Building and Reflecting Identities, Karen Tracy, New York: Guilford.
Promotion and Tenure Reviews
2003	External reviewer for faculty promotion (Full Professor), State University of New York at Albany, U.S.A.
1991	Reviewer for faculty tenure (Associate Professor), Temple University, U.S.A.

GRADUATE STUDENT M.A. THESIS SUPERVISION (IN JAPANESE)

2018

Hearers’ methods of participation in Japanese and Korean conversation: A case of explanation tasks of a silent animated film. Mari Matsumoto. Graduate School of Intercultural Communication, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan.

––

Representations of female villains in Disney films. Kaori Hatakeyama. Graduate School of Intercultural Communication, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan.

2017

Disliking China to disliking Chinese: A sense of discrimination in the Hong Kong new generation’s Chinese exclusion. Wu Jie. Graduate School of Intercultural Communication, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan.

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University students’ experiences of difficulties in intercultural adaptation in short-term study abroad programs. Eri Oba. Graduate School of Intercultural Communication, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan.

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Social networks of Chinese cooks and their families in Japan. Kana Nishio. Graduate School of Intercultural Communication, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan.

2016

How international students from the central regions of China see themselves and their hometowns: Through their cross-cultural experiences in Japan. Bai Bing. Graduate School of Intercultural Communication, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan.

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Newcomer children’s crises and ways to overcome them: Japanese South Americans’ experiences in completing high school. Kaori Harada. Graduate School of Intercultural Communication, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan.

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Japanese language school teachers’ views of international students: Cross-cultural understanding and problems in their treatment of Vietnamese students. Yasuko Nakamoto. Graduate School of Intercultural Communication, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan.

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Japanese and Chinese students’ use of considerate expressions in small group discussion. Zhang Ying. Graduate School of Intercultural Communication, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan.

2015

Intercultural friendships in a student dormitory: From the viewpoints of Taiwanese and Japanese students in Japan. Liu Yunchieh. Graduate School of Intercultural Communication, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan.

––

Influence of living overseas on family values of Japanese expatriate wives. Yuko Miura. Graduate School of Intercultural Communication, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan.

––	Misunderstanding and its remedies: Japanese and Chinese speakers’ experiences of rejection. Zhang Fan. Graduate School of Intercultural Communication, Rikkyo University, Tokyo, Japan.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT GRADUATION THESIS SUPERVISION (IN ENGLISH/JAPANESE)

2006	How native speakers correct nonnative speakers while keeping good relationships in English conversations. Ayako Yamada. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
––	Identity work of a couple speaking in English as native language: Analysis of their conversations with a nonnative speaker. (thesis in Japanese). Makie Saito. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
––	Communication between Japanese and international employees at Japanese Corporations: Problems from the perspective of native English speakers. (thesis in Japanese). Tomoko Inaba. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
––	Communication strategies for constructing harmonious interaction: Analysis of English conversations between native and nonnative speakers. (thesis in Japanese). Mai Tomiyama. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
2005	Native speakers’ conversational strategies to achieve understanding with nonnative speakers. Koyomi Suzuki. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
––	How native and nonnative speakers accomplish smooth exchanges of turns in conversations. Mai Otake. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
––	How native and nonnative speakers as married couples maintain closeness in conversations. Miho Shirotori. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
––	Identity work in harmonious interaction: English conversations between Indians and Japanese. (thesis in Japanese). Tomohiko Sato. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
2004	How native speakers and nonnative speakers help each other’s understanding in conversation. Aya Miyasaka. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
––	Japanese use of backchannels in conversations with Americans in English. Mari Tamagawa. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
––	Characteristics of conversations between Japanese- and English-speakers: Analysis of their communication in English. (thesis in Japanese). Satoko Asai. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
2003	Dilemmas in business meetings among native and nonnative speakers. Haruka Baba. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
2002	Japanese education at school and at home from the viewpoint of different cultures. Akiko Tsukada. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
––	Americans’ view toward expressing opinions: A comparison with Japanese. Noriko Kawamura. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
––	Caucasians’ and Asians’ experiences of communicating with Japanese. Yayoi Nishikawa. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
––	Language culture of multi-ethnic country Singapore. (thesis in Japanese). Natsuko Grace Kirihara. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
––	Intercultural communication at service encounters: Views of African- Americans working in Japan. (thesis in Japanese). Reika Hirano. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
––	Views of apologies in Japan and the United States: A case of Ehimemaru incident. (thesis in Japanese). Chikako Haigaki. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
––	Images of ideal women held by international residents in Japan. (thesis in Japanese). Yoko Nihei. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
2001	Cultural differences in greeting behavior between Japanese and Americans. Saori Yamato. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
––	Americans’ views of gender: An exploration of their communication with Japanese. (thesis in Japanese). Mayumi Ono. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
––	Interpersonal relationships and communication in Japan from the perspective of other cultures. (thesis in Japanese). Satomi Murakami. Department of English, Aoyama Gakuin University, Tokyo, Japan.
MEMBERSHIP OF PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
	■ International Communication Association (ICA) (1990-) ■ National Communication Association (NCA) (1990-) ■ Japanese Association of Sociolinguistic Sciences (JASS) (1999-) ■ Communication Association of Japan (CAJ) (2000-) ■ Japan Society for Multicultural Relations (JSMR) (2002-)
	■ International Association for Intercultural Communication Studies (IAICS) (1992 – 1999) ■ The Society for Intercultural Education, Training, And Research (SIETAR), Japan (2002 - 2006)
GRANTS, AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS, AND SCHOLARSHIPS
2012	Best Book Award by Communication Association of Japan (CAJ) for Komyunikeishon kenkyu hou [Research methods in communication studies], edited by K. Sueda, H. Kakai, K. Tasaki, & J. Saruhashi, in which Kotani, M. (2011), Kaiwa bunseki [Conversation analysis] appears (Chapter 14, pp. 170-183).
1997	Dissertation Write-Up Grant, Graduate School, Temple University, Philadelphia, January to December, U.S.A.
1995	Travel Award for Conference Presentation, Graduate School, Temple University, Philadelphia, Summer 1995, U.S.A.
1994, 1993	Ecroyd Travel Awards for Conference Presentations, Department of Rhetoric and Communication, Temple University, Philadelphia, Spring 1994 and Spring 1993, U.S.A.
1990 - 1994	Teaching Assistant Fellowships with Full Tuition Remission, Department of Rhetoric and Communication, Temple University, Philadelphia, Fall 1990 to Spring 1994, U.S.A.
1989	Partial Tuition Scholarship, Department of Rhetoric and Communication, Temple University, Philadelphia, Fall 1989 to Spring 1990, U.S.A.
LANGUAGES
	Japanese (native), English
CONTACT INFORMATION
	E-mail: mkotani@rikkyo.ac.jp mkotani@cc.aoyama.ac.jp

Updated: December 19, 2023