Gestures are used by all of us most of the time we talk. But what is so fascinating about them is that they are usually seen as unnecessary by-products, whereas all the necessary information is already encoded in speech. So why do we even bother gesturing? Is it just a reflex that does not serve any function at all or only social functions? Do gestures convey additional information that may be helpful but is not essential? Or are gestures crucial to conversation after all and if so, how?
After introducing some basic knowledge about gestures I would like to focus on these questions that are concerned with the communicative functions. However, communication purposes which are mostly associated with gestures are only one part of the picture. There is also a lot of relevant research about the role of gestures in speech production as well and also on their impact on memorising and learning. Hence, I will cover all three approaches which are subdivided into different theories and weigh them up against each other.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- 01 Introduction
- 2 General characteristics of gestures
- 2.1 Gesture types
- 2.1.1 Iconics and metaphorics
- 2.1.2 Beats
- 2.1.3 Cohesives
- 2.1.4 Deictics
- 2.2 Gesture and speech as a single system
- 2.3 Attention to speech-accompanying gestures
- 2.1 Gesture types
- 3 Communicative functions of gestures
- 3.1 Structuring speech and helping interaction
- 3.2 Structuring discourse in narrative situations
- 3.3 Distinguishing layers of discourse
- 3.4 Voice
- 3.5 Emphasis
- 3.6 Completion
- 3.7 Commenting on an utterance
- 3.8 Adding "realness"
- 3.9 Information about the speaker
- 4 Gestures and the speech production process
- 4.1 Research concerned with gesture's role in speech production
- 4.2 Models of speech production including gestures
- 4.2.1 Krauss&Hadar's model
- 4.2.2 De Ruiter's model
- 4.2.3 McNeill's growth point theory
- 4.2.4 Competition hypotheses
- 5 Gestures and mental processing
- 6 Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This paper examines the role of gestures in speech production and communication, exploring their communicative functions, their impact on the speech production process, and their influence on mental processing. The author aims to challenge the perception of gestures as mere byproducts of speech, investigating their potential contributions to communication and cognitive processes.
- Types and characteristics of speech-accompanying gestures
- Communicative functions of gestures in discourse and interaction
- Impact of gestures on speech production
- Relationship between gestures and mental processes
- Theoretical perspectives on the role of gestures in communication and cognition
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
- Chapter 1: Introduction
The introductory chapter sets the stage for the research by outlining the central questions regarding the function and significance of speech-accompanying gestures. The author challenges the view of gestures as unnecessary byproducts and explores their potential roles in communication and cognitive processes.
- Chapter 2: General characteristics of gestures
This chapter delves into the classification of gestures, introducing five distinct types: iconics, metaphorics, beats, cohesives, and deictics. The author discusses the relationship between gesture and speech, emphasizing their interconnectedness and potential for conveying meaning. The chapter also discusses the importance of paying attention to gestures in communication.
- Chapter 3: Communicative functions of gestures
This chapter explores the diverse ways in which gestures contribute to communication. The author examines how gestures can structure speech, facilitate interaction, distinguish layers of discourse, and convey information about the speaker. Specific functions such as voice, emphasis, completion, and commenting on utterances are discussed.
- Chapter 4: Gestures and the speech production process
This chapter investigates the role of gestures in speech production, examining research that explores their influence on this process. Different models of speech production, including Krauss&Hadar's, De Ruiter's, and McNeill's growth point theory, are presented and compared. The chapter also discusses competition hypotheses related to gesture and speech production.
- Chapter 5: Gestures and mental processing
This chapter explores the connection between gestures and mental processes, examining the potential influence of gestures on memorizing and learning. The author presents theoretical frameworks and research findings related to the cognitive impact of gestures.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
Key themes and concepts explored in this work include: speech-accompanying gestures, communicative functions, gesture types (iconics, metaphorics, beats, cohesives, deictics), speech production models, gesture and mental processing, cognition, interaction, and discourse.
- Quote paper
- Sonja Kaupp (Author), 2011, Speech-accompanying gestures and their impact on speech production and communication, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/180007