As part of our latest assignment related to gestures, I did some research about it and I have gathered some interesting information. According to the oxford online dictionary, the word gesture means a manner of carrying the body; bearing, carriage, deportment. Word gesture derives from the Latin word gerere, which means “to do”, and Latin word gestra that means “action”. Gesture can be a natural form of expression or may be shaped by cultural codes.
Nonverbal communication is the process of communicating through sending and receiving
wordless messages. These massages can be communicated through gesture or touch, by body
language or posture, by facial expression or eye contact. Nonverbal communication can also be
conveyed through object communication such as clothing, hairstyle, grooming and confidence
or lack thereof. Very few gestures are universally understood and interpreted the same way. What is perfectly acceptable in the United States may be rude or even obscene in other cultures. It is important to analyze how the gestures we use unconsciously will be understood.
Understanding different cultural gestures always has been one of my interests, especially since I have been living in a different country. It’s very important to me, as a person and as a teacher, to familiarize myself with the different cultural non-verbal cues and be more proficient in classroom settings. Learning about different cultures’ nonverbal cues would help me to gain a
better insight on how to reach out to the students. It is important for a teacher to understand how
one’s behavior relates to his culture.
Sometimes actions speak louder than words. Our facial expressions, gestures, postures are all
nonverbal cues that send messages about how we feel and relate to others. That’s why it is
important to interpret gestures correctly and “read” underlying thoughts or emotions.
Communication without any movement or posture would be dull and would minimize...