DEFINITION 1 Sign language is a part of a communicative system in which the expression of thoughts occurs not with the help of acoustics (sounds), but thanks to kinetics (gestures and facial expressions). For most people, sign language is a non-verbal addition to spoken language.
Features of gestures in non-verbal communication
A gesture is any sign that a person makes with his head, hand, body. He is able to express a certain emotion or communicate relevant information. Sign language is a system of signs that are carried out with the help of conditional gestures. They are used for linguistic communication along with or instead of audio speech.
Sign language was used by the peoples of primitive culture, as well as advanced culture in a multilingual system. It was taken as the basis of ancient household rituals. Also, this language is widely used by dumb people to organize communication. Thus, a gesture is an action by which a visual signal is sent to the observing person.
Non-verbal language is able to express (hide) even more information and in a more emotional way than speech. This is done both involuntarily (for example, gestures of jubilation, despair, hopelessness, unexpected surprise), and quite meaningfully (for example, focusing on one or another voiced thought or, on the contrary, in order not to give out real feelings).
The study of various means of non-verbal communication (poses, gestures, facial expressions, temporal-spatial organization of communication) helps people understand not only those around them, but also themselves. People get the opportunity to exchange various information at the appropriate levels of understanding. It is known that communication may not be limited to oral or written messages. Emotions, mannerisms and gestures are also important here.
The peculiarity of non-verbal sign language is that its manifestation is characterized by the impulses of the human subconscious, while the lack of the ability to fake such impulses allows people to trust this language more than ordinary (verbal) communication channels.
Knowing the language of gestures and body movements makes it possible not only to better understand the interlocutor, but also the ability to foresee the impression that was made on him by what he heard even before he spoke about it. "Wordless" language is able to warn about whether to change behavior or do something else to achieve the desired result.
The meaning of gestures in different cultures
The same gestures of different nations and peoples can have different meanings and be interpreted in different ways. Going on a trip, each person, as a rule, strives to learn as much as possible about the point of arrival. Many look at weather reports, news about the political situation, take phrasebooks with them. However, even when prepared, travelers are bewildered when their gestures are misinterpreted by foreigners.
The same gesture in different countries often has different meanings. For example, shaking the head from side to side in our country, as in most European countries, means denial. In Bulgaria, Greece and India, on the contrary, he speaks of approval, while nodding his head of disagreement.
A negative gesture from the Neapolitans will also be unusual for a Russian person. It is interpreted as an upturned head and a disapproving protruding lower lip. The meaning of a gesture in the form of a ring (when the thumb and forefinger are connected) or the letter “O” means, in our understanding, “okay”. In English-speaking countries, people perceive this sign as approval, while the French will perceive it as an expression of negative emotions. In Brazil, seeing such a gesture, a person will be considered vulgar.
Another common gesture is the thumb up. Different nations use it in different ways. For example, it helps hitchhikers around the world to stop passing vehicles. If a person raises his hand in front of him, then this, as a rule, means "Everything is fine." Saying hello and goodbye with gestures in different countries is also customary in different ways.
The difference in gestures among different peoples
In many countries, including China and Japan, when meeting people, it is customary to give the last name first. In Japan, the first name is practically not used, even in the case of informal meetings. The formal bow here is a necessary ritual when meeting.
In Lapland, when greeting each other, people rub their noses. When parting, Europeans wave their palm, raising it up and moving their fingers. Americans will perceive such a gesture as a call to "come here." When saying goodbye, they hold their palm horizontally, raising it slightly, as if patting someone on the head or shoulder.
Russian people, saying goodbye, wave their hands not back and forth, but from side to side. Latin Americans would take such a gesture as an invitation. Inhabitants of the Andaman Islands, when saying goodbye, bring the palm of a friend to their lips and gently blow on it.
There are also various extravagant gestures. For example, in Tibet, a passer-by may show you his tongue. In this case, do not be upset, because the gesture means - “I am not plotting anything against you. Stay calm!". However, it is no longer worth following such an example in Europe, since it may not be safe for the wallet, given the cost of a lawyer.
In India, the image of a snake's tongue with a finger suggests decoding - "You are a liar!". To express a gesture of admiration, the inhabitants of Spain and Mexico put 3 fingers together, pressing them to their lips and reproducing the sound of a kiss.
The only universal means of location in any country is a smile. It is used and correctly perceived in any country and any culture. Smiling is the most effective gesture or form of communication, and ultimately the best compliment a person can give to their interlocutor. In any culture, a sincere display of interest in a person's personality will be appreciated on merit.
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