"Each twitch of the brow, each stroke of the chin, each flaunt of the hand now becomes a kind of quiet haiku for us to contemplate - our fist closed, our thumb raised, complete with a wink of approval."
– Professor Christian Bok, describing "Dictionary of Gestures"
Dictionary of Gestures: Expressive Comportments and Movements In Use Around the World
As a public speaking school, we have deep appreciation for (and occasional distress about) the nonverbal messages our students send.
So imagine our delight when we discovered Dictionary of Gestures at the Boulder Bookstore, displayed as if it were meant just for us near the entrance to this book lovers emporium.
Compiled by French author François Caradec and translated by Chris Clarke, the dictionary treats all areas of nonverbal expression - gestures made with the hands, yes - but also nose scrunches, shrugs, tips of the head, and more.
We expect you'll be amused and enlightened by the breadth of possibility and what you may have been "saying" without even realizing it.
Caradec documents 68 gestures for the index finger, 84 for both hands, and a remarkable three for the armpits.(Who knew? Yes, armpits, we shrug our shoulders as we ask.)
There is a practical side to this amusing accounting. As Caradec writes:
The eloquence of preachers, lawyers, and politicians has, from time immemorial, made as much use of gesture as it has of speech. Demosthenes stated that each of them had the same importance. As for some of the judges at the Areopagus, they were so wary of the orators' gestures, or so it is said, that they preferred to listen to them in the dark so as not to be influenced by them.
We also like the way Caradec describes the different cultural interpretations of the same gesture, helpful knowledge if you're speaking outside of your usual circle.
If you'd like your own copy, you can find it here.
Learn more about gestures
Indeed, we have had plenty to say on the subject. For starters:
Here's our how-to guide for incorporating hand gestures in a presentation.
The size and style of your gestures needs to fit the room. Find some tips on how to think about that.
Not every speaker is comfortable with using hands and body language. Our suggestions for gestures to help the reluctant start moving.
"Study drivers in Rome, Athens, Paris, or Madrid during rush hour," our founder advised. Find Reid Buckley's guide to gestures here.
