Naming / Constructing "Ourselves": Analyzing a Deictic Word Used by Gay/Bisexual Men in Contemporary Japan

One of the important points in the discussions on minority groups pertains to the category words associated with that particular group. However, the significance of category words for the members of a minority group itself has been overlooked. The aim of this paper is to consider this point by analyzing one category word that is used by gay/bisexual men in contemporary Japan. In the context of gay/bisexual men's group, this point is associated with how they can address themselves and construct "We" without hurting someone by the category words they use. The word kocchi (here/this side) is frequently used by gay/bisexual men in Japan and can be considered to be an answer to the above question. This word implies peer consciousness among them, and by using it, gay/bisexual men construct themselves as a peer group without foreclosing anyone. This function derives from the tautological characteristic of the word kocchi. Of course, in some cases, this word leads to dysfunctional consequences. However, kocchi, a vague and tautological expression, plays a very important role in constructing gay/bisexual men as "We". This analysis can throw fresh light on the discussions about category words, because this case shows that the significance of a category word can be its "unsubstantial" feature.