PREVIEW

This chapter considers how speakers accompany their speech with gestures, and the functions that these gestures have. By the end of the chapter you should understand:

• that gestures have at least two different types of function – to contribute content to what the speaker is saying, and to help manage the conversation;

• that there are different types of gesture – some have symbolic meaning, some direct the listener’s attention, and some depict some aspect of what is being talked about;

• that gestures help the speaker as well as the listener;

• that gestures vary cross-linguistically not only because of cultural differences but also because gestures are linked to language output and the vocabulary and structure of languages differ from one another.

Introduction

This chapter gives a brief overview of the relationship between our spoken output and the gestures that accompany our speech. It considers the different roles that gestures can have. It also looks at how gestures can both contribute to the content of the message and play an organisational role in helping speakers and listeners to manage conversation. Finally, it considers the relationship between gestures, language production and cognition.