Hand Gestures
We see three different types of hand gestures:
- Illustrators
- Emblems
- Manipulators
Illustrators assist the meaning of words. People will often paint a tangible object with their hands to assist in a description. Sometimes a person will use their hands to emphasis the emotion(s) associated with the words spoken.
Emblems represent a specific meaning, consciously or unconsciously, and depending upon culture. For instance, if a person is standing in front of the President of the United States, it is likely they will not have their hands on their hips. If you and a coworker are having a heated debate, and the person "steeples" their body by putting their hands behind their head, opening their legs, and leaning back, they are displaying to you (likely unconsciously) that they are not intimidated by your argument and likely feel as if they are quite right in the debate, even if they yield verbally.
Manipulators cause another person to do something. The military uses them in the form of "hand and arm signals." It may be in the woods on a combat patrol or in the belly of a loud aircraft full of paratroopers. A stranger may use a manipulator when holding a door and directing another through. Manipulators could be considered universal sign language.
We see three different types of hand gestures:
- Illustrators
- Emblems
- Manipulators
Illustrators assist the meaning of words. People will often paint a tangible object with their hands to assist in a description. Sometimes a person will use their hands to emphasis the emotion(s) associated with the words spoken.
Emblems represent a specific meaning, consciously or unconsciously, and depending upon culture. For instance, if a person is standing in front of the President of the United States, it is likely they will not have their hands on their hips. If you and a coworker are having a heated debate, and the person "steeples" their body by putting their hands behind their head, opening their legs, and leaning back, they are displaying to you (likely unconsciously) that they are not intimidated by your argument and likely feel as if they are quite right in the debate, even if they yield verbally.
Manipulators cause another person to do something. The military uses them in the form of "hand and arm signals." It may be in the woods on a combat patrol or in the belly of a loud aircraft full of paratroopers. A stranger may use a manipulator when holding a door and directing another through. Manipulators could be considered universal sign language.
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