The Social-Engineer Podcast Ep. 320 - Human Element Series - Using Gestures To Enhanced Communications with Lauren Gawne
Sep 8, 2025
Lauren Gawne, a Senior Lecturer in linguistics at La Trobe University, shares her fascinating insights into the world of gestures and communication. She discusses how cultural variations can lead to misinterpretations, highlighted by amusing anecdotes of cross-cultural misunderstandings. Gawne emphasizes the innate human tendency to gesture, even among blind individuals, and explores the interplay between gestures and emojis in conveying emotions. Her research reveals how awareness of these nuances can transform our understanding in various communication contexts.
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Gesture Is Inseparable From Speech
- Gesture and speech form an inseparable two-for-one system present in all spoken languages.
- Cultural, linguistic, and individual variation shape how gestures are produced and understood.
Head Wobble Misread During Negotiation
- Chris recounted mistaking an Indian "yes" head wobble for a "no" and nearly missing a meal.
- The exchange highlighted how opposite meanings across cultures can cause harmless but confusing mistakes.
Design Emojis Without Cultural Bias
- Design neutral emoji for culturally variable gestures to avoid imposing one culture's norms.
- Avoid adding expressive faces to head-nod/shake emojis because those meanings differ cross-culturally.
