Gestures

We ALL use gestures

Gestures---------- closely related to cognitive processing

*They have an impact on your working memory and help you recall both visuo-spatial and verbal items.

      Blind people-------- they also use gestures

Right handed people: more gestures by the right hand

Left handed people: Gestures with both hands

*Gestures----- use to supplement words

*Children: Use gestures at around 10 months

Types of gestures

*Deictic gesture= pointing out

*Iconic gesture= resembles a concrete object or event

*Metaphonic gesture= to represent an abstract gesture

*Emblems= gesture typically known by the community

Gestures and Beats

*It has to do with using your hands to emphasise what you say

Gestures in classroom

*Students: More likely to retain what they have learned when using gestures

Math: more frequent

Vocal expression

The way we use our voice gives away the true meaning

Voice: more likely to reveal the feelings

Voice intonation

Advices:

*ensure there is a proper quality of projection

*monitor the rate at what you speak

*Vary the kinds of intonation you use

V factor and Gender

*men= louder and lower pitched voices

*women=Higher pitched sound

       Voice intonation------------ more frequently in women

The faster the rate of speech,the lower the estimation of dominance

Pauses:

*Silent ones

*Filled ones

Summary

When it comes to speaking, there is no doubt that gestures are something really important which is linked to our speech.

Gestures are essentials because they help us give a better meaning of what we are saying not to mention that when using them, there will be a better impact on the listeners.Gestures are such important that even blind people use gestures when speaking. Speaking on the phone is another good example that reflects that even though we might be not seeing our listener, we will still make use of gestures when communicating.

On the other hand, it is really curious that depending on whether we are left handed or right handed, there will be a little difference in the use of gestures.Thus, people who are right handed tend to use more the right hand when making gestures whereas people who are left handed tend to use both hands equally.

Besides, it is important to take into account that there are four types of gesture.The first one is named deictic gestures which  has to do with specially with children since it is about pointing out things or objects.The second one is named iconic gestures and this one is more related to use our hands and fingers to create or simulate a concrete object.The next one, has to do when we use our hands but this time to present an abstract object and it is named metaphonic gesture.Finally, there is another type of gesture that is named emblems which is when we use gesture that are well known such as the thumbs up.

In terms of vocal expression, it is important to emphasise that the tone of voice is not easy to control and as a result, it is more likely to reveal our feelings.Besides, when it comes to voice intonation,men usually have a louder and lower pitched voice whereas women have a high pitched voice.

Finally,when we talk, we always tend to use pauses, the silent ones and the filled ones but we need to try to use more the silent ones since they  make us appear more confident

*Here's a video about a guy making full use of gestures!! look how important it is when communicating especially for this guy who is a storyteller

Video