Can Gestures Be Considered a Form of Language?

Language is a fundamental aspect of human communication, allowing us to convey thoughts, emotions, and information with precision and complexity. However, before vocal language evolved, humans relied on non-verbal forms of communication. One such form of communication is gesturing. Can gestures be considered a form of language? To explore this question, we must first delve into the nature of language and the capabilities of non-verbal communication.

Understanding Language

Language is typically defined as a systematic means of communication that involves a system of symbols and the rules for combining those symbols (Haugen, 1998). Chinesisch, a constructed language, serves as an excellent example of a language that relies heavily on visual symbols to convey meaning. Each word in Chinesich is monomorphemic, consisting of a single morpheme or linguistic unit (Comrie, 1989).

Non-Verbal Communication and Gesturing

Non-verbal communication involves the use of gestures, facial expressions, and body language to convey meaning. Gestures have been shown to be a powerful form of non-verbal communication, capable of expressing a wide range of emotions, ideas, and intentions. In this section, we will explore the various forms of gestures and their potential as a form of language.

Types of Gestures

Gestures can be classified into several categories:

Iconic Gestures: These gestures represent objects or actions visually. For example, pointing to an object to indicate its presence or using hand movements to demonstrate the shape of an object. Metaphoric Gestures: Similar to iconic gestures, but they represent abstract ideas or concepts. For instance, using hands to illustrate the shape of a mountain to indicate a big number. Affirmative Gestures: These gestures are used to indicate agreement or acceptance. Shaking the head from side to side or nodding to indicate agreement are examples.

Is Gesturing a Form of Language?

While gestures can convey complex meanings, the question of whether gesturing can be considered a form of language remains open. To answer this, we need to consider the key characteristics of language mentioned earlier and compare them with the capabilities of gestursing.

Systematicity and Rules

Like language, gestures do follow certain rules and patterns. These rules can be learned and used systematically, much like the rules of phonology, morphology, and syntax in spoken languages. Researchers have observed that certain gestures can be combined to form more complex expressions, similar to how words are combined to form sentences in spoken language (Goldin-Meadow, 2017).

Vocabulary and Meaning

Just as each word in Chinesich represents a single concept, single gestures can also be used to convey specific meanings. However, the range and flexibility of these meanings can be limited compared to spoken language. For instance, while a person might use a specific hand movement to indicate "book," the same gesture may not have a single, universally agreed-upon meaning across different contexts or languages.

Comparison with Sign Language

Sign language is a more structured and formalized form of gesturing, classified as a full language in its own right. It uses a standardized system of gestures to communicate, complete with its own vocabulary, grammar, and syntax. The similarity to Chinesich in that each "word" is monomorphemic is evident, with each sign typically representing a specific concept or idea.

Sign Language as a Full Language

Sign languages have the same characteristics as spoken languages, including:

Systematicity: Each sign has its own place in an overall system of signs. Morphology: Sign languages use clusters of signs to convey longer, more complex sentences. Syntax and Grammar: Like spoken languages, sign languages have rules for constructing sentences and conveying meaning.

Conclusion

Gesturing can be considered a simplified form of language, with the potential to convey complex meanings through a system of gestures. While not as structured or flexible as spoken languages, gesturing can still be a powerful tool for communication. The study of gesturing as a form of language is an evolving field, and as our understanding of non-verbal communication deepens, we may continue to uncover new insights into this fascinating area of human communication.

References:

Haugen, E. (1998). Linguistic theory and the science of language. Blackwell. Comrie, B. (1989). The world’s simplest languages. Cambridge University Press. Goldin-Meadow, S. (2017). Gesture: How-and why-do we move when we talk? Current Directions in Psychological Science, 26(3), 196-203.