2. A gesture is a form of non verbal communication made with
Part of the body, used instead of or in combination with verbal
communication. The language of gesture allows individuals to
express a variety of feelings and thoughts, from contempt and
hostility to approval and affection.
In speech, gestures are purposive movements of some
parts of the body. They are made principally by movements of
Head, shoulders, arms, and occasionally, feet.
Gestures
3. Gestures are used to describe things,
greet and farewell, draw attention,
show agreement or disagreement,
give directions, give expression to thoughts and
ideas,
4. Types of gestures
David McNeill distinguishes gestures into imagistic and
non-imagistic.
Imagistic gestures or iconic gestures are those in which movements
are made that are interpreted as depicting the shape and size of an
object, displaying an action of some kind, or representing some
pattern of movement.
When we trace a square in thee air with a finger while saying I’m
looking for a small box.
5. Pointing gestures
Deictic or Pointing: this type is used to point to places, things, or
people while talking. Pointing with an open hand contrasts with
pointing with the index finger. Eye-gaze and head movement are
also used in pointing. The speech and the sign combine to
accomplish successful reference to things or people around us
Pointing to a cake on a table and asking someone would you
Like some cake? The same gesture can be used to point to
the same table even after the cake is gone.
6. Emblems
Emblems are gestures that can stand alone and do not need
accompanied speech. Depending on culture, emblems
change, while gestures that are used alongside speech
Seem to be similar across cultures.
In North America the thumbs-up gesture is usually
interpreted as "good" or "ready". In many cultures, though,
such as Africa and Middle East, it is considered an obscene
gesture.
7. GESTURES ARE CLASSIFIED IN VARIOUS WAY
Descriptive gestures: They are gestures which aid words
in describing anything.
Suggestive gestures: Are representative or figurative
rather than literal. These Gestures are used suggestively to
show your mood.
Locative gestures it points to place, position, or direction
Emphatic gestures are used when words or ideas need to
be stressed or reinforced.
Dramatic or imitative gestures convey impersonation of
another person’s action or “acting out” part of a narrative.
8. Manual signs
Manual signs are put into four components
1. Hand shape
2. Location
3. Movement
4. Orientation