Gesture as communication I: Its coordination with gaze and speech

TLDR

Gesture is one of the least charted terrains in human communication. The article aims to illuminate the forms, uses, meanings, and functions of hand gestures through microanalysis and naturalistic description. The study uses microanalysis and naturalistic description, embedding the analysis in a brief review of prior gesture theories and a discussion of gesture’s role in self‑awareness. The research shows that speakers make hand gestures relevant to symbolic communication, exposing gestures through indexical gaze and language, a coordination that becomes visible under microscopic video analysis.

Abstract

Gesture is one of the least charted terrains in human communication. This article presents one in a series of attempts to illuminate the forms, uses, meanings, and functions of hand gestures by using methods of microanalysis and naturalistic description. Reporting on findings from research on videotaped natural interaction in eight speech communities, the author describes speakers’ methods for making hand gestures relevant to the moment of symbolic communication. Gestures are “exposed” by means of indexical uses of gaze and language. This coordination becomes visible under “microscopic” viewing of videotapes. The analysis is embedded in a brief review of previous views of gesture and a discussion of the role of gesture for self‐awareness.