Why do so many people move their hands and arms so much when they speak?
My impression is that in recent years there has been a marked increase in the use of hand and arm gestures when addressing someone or a crowd. These gestures almost invariably add nothing to the conversation or speech, but it is clear that the speaker feels they are giving emphasis to their words. In fact, i often find myself watching their hands rather than listening to what they have to say.
My hunch is that it is another example of how corporate culture is damaging our use of words and that many of the people making such gestures learned about them in a book they picked up in an airport bookstore.
But any historical information on this would be much appreciated - Sam Smith
1 comment:
Chironomia, the use of gestures in oratory and rhetorical delivery, was actually codified by the Greeks and Romans. Start out with the entry on Wikipedia, then check the entry about Gilbert Austin, who wrote a treatise about it early in the 19th century. Modern politicians, with their lectern-pounding and pointing and hand waving are like illiterates using big words they've memorized but don't understand.
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