New Books Network
Gestures and Emblems: A Discussion with Lauren Gawne
Apr 13, 2025
Lauren Gawne, a Senior lecturer at La Trobe University and co-host of Lingthusiasm, dives into the fascinating world of gestures and emblems. She discusses her research on how cross-cultural variations shape non-verbal communication and the impact of emojis on modern language. Lauren explores the evolution of gestures through digital communication, highlighting their importance in bridging generational gaps. She also touches on the intricate relationship between language and physical gestures, revealing how emblems can vary in meaning across different contexts.
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Quick takeaways
- Emblems, unlike gestures, carry specific meanings that can stand alone without speech and vary significantly across different cultures.
- The rise of emojis mirrors the evolution of emblems in communication, reflecting cultural influences and changing expression styles in digital interactions.
Deep dives
The Role of Gesture and Emblems in Communication
Gestures are integral to spoken communication, enhancing and illustrating the spoken content. Unlike gestures, emblems have specific meanings that can stand alone without accompanying speech, making them more akin to words. An example of an emblem is the thumbs-up gesture, which conveys approval or agreement but varies in meaning across cultures. Understanding the distinctions between gestures and emblems helps clarify their roles in conveying nuanced messages during conversations.
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