1. Gestural
Communication
and its
Importance

2. WHAT DO WE MEAN BY
GESTURE?
 A gesture is a form of non-verbal communication or non-
vocal communication in which visible bodily actions communicate
particular messages, either in place of, or in conjunction with, speech.
Gestures include movement of the hands, face, or other parts of the body.
Gestures differ from physical non-verbal communication that does not
communicate specific messages, such as
purely expressive displays, proxemics, or displays of joint
attention.[1] Gestures allow individuals to communicate a variety of feelings
and thoughts, from contempt and hostility to approval and affection, often
together with body language in addition to words when they speak.
Gesticulation and speech work independently of each other, but join to
provide emphasis and meaning.

3. HISTORY OF GESTURAL
COMMUNICATION
The theory that language evolved from manual
gestures, termed Gestural Theory, dates back to
the work of 18th-century philosopher and
priest Abbé de Condillac, and has been revived by
contemporary anthropologist Gordon W. Hewes, in
1973, as part of a discussion on the origin of
language.[4]

4. The word ‘Gesture’ is derived from a Medieval Latin word
‘gesture’ which means ‘way of carrying’ or ‘mode of action’
and in its earliest uses in English, it referred to the manner
of carrying the body, bodily or deportment.
Gestures differ from physical non-verbal communication
that does not communicate specific messages, such as
purely expressive displays, proxemics, or displays of joint
attention.

5. Importance of Gestures
 Gestures come in handy, especially to portray you as a confident person, in
control of his/ her self. The right gestures used at the right time can
enhance the meaning of the spoken words and even add another layer to
them. They, in fact, become the second line of communication, in addition
to the spoken word.
 A firm handshake, for instance, reveals a person’s confidence level and
self- belief and tells the other person that you mean business. A nod of the
head during a conversation conveys acknowledgement and shows that you
are focussed on the conversation.
 Conversely, inappropriate gestures can reduce the import of the spoken
word and create an unfavourable impression. For instance, people who bite
their nails, stare at the ground, sweat due to anxiety, reveal their lack of
confidence as well as nervousness, which works against them and leaves
a poor impression.

9. Military air
marshallers use
hand and body
gestures to direct
flight operations
aboard aircraft
carriers.

10. Gestures as Powerful
Communicators
 The fundamental idea behind communication is to convey your thoughts and
have a meaningful discourse. Gestures have the power to act as effective
tools of communication too. Not only can they be used to complement and
support what is being spoken, sometimes, they can act as the primary tool of
communicating what you think, and do that more effectively than even words.
 For instance, who doesn’t remember the cold stare of our parents in our
childhood when we committed some mistake? The stare was enough to send
shiver down our spines and prevent us from committing the same mistake
again. While growing up, we remember our teachers putting a finger on their
lips, a signal for the students to keep quiet.
 Such is the power of gestures.

11. Gestural Communication in the
Business World
Gestures in the workplace convey a significant
amount of information without an individual ever
opening her mouth. Workers react to others'
gestures as read in the workplace. Eye contact,
facial expressions and touch affect work interactions.
Some call it body language. Others call it kinesics.
Hundreds of thousands of body gestures
communicate meaning to others at work.
LET US LOOK AT SOME DIFFERENT
TYPES OF GESTURES:

12. Negative Gestures
Adjusting your clothes, biting your nails, fidgeting, touching your face and
toying with something in your hands can all be interpreted negatively.
Others think you are nervous, tense, disinterested or maybe even
dishonest. Resting your chin on your hand conveys boredom. Crossed
arms indicate a level of defensiveness. Lean back in your chair, and it
conveys disinterest. Lean forward, and it indicates you are interested in
what the speaker says.
Illustrative Gestures
Gestures, used along with words, help illustrate the meaning of your
words. While doing an interview, the interviewer may say, "We offer this
product in three price points -- high, medium and low." For emphasis, he
may use his hand to mark the air in three spots -- high, medium and low --
reinforcing his point with illustrative gestures.

13. Affective Gestures
If a person uses eye contact, facial expression, posture or tone of voice to
suggest a nonverbal, emotional message, you might call those affective
gestures. An open or receptive gesture is a person whose palms face the
listener. An embarrassed or angry communication can be read by the shade of
the person's red face or by his grimace. A slouchy, frowning employee may
appear distracted or uninterested. Arch your eyebrows, sit up straight and
smile. You appear happy.
Misinterpreted Gestures
While most gestures are readily interpreted with accuracy, there can be
misunderstandings. If a co-worker with a migraine, grimaces in pain, lowers her
head and squints her eyes while talking to you, you may think the migraine
sufferer disagrees with you. If perplexed, probe for further information before
jumping to conclusions. Multicultural workplaces, however, have different
interpretations of some gestures across cultural lines. For instance, the
traditional "OK" sign Americans make by putting the thumb and index finger
together with the other three fingers pointed is an ugly gesture in other
cultures.

14. Silent Gestures
Because no words have to be spoken or written, gestures
can be an quick, easy, efficient form of business
communication. A wave of the hand means hello or
goodbye, depending on the situation. Nod your head and
you are saying either yes or no, depending on the direction.
The smile is pretty much a universal happy face. But, there
are rare moments when even the smile would be an
inappropriate gesture, given the circumstances.