Talk with hands word

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Have you ever noticed that when people are passionate about what they’re saying, their gestures automatically become more animated? Their hands and arms move about, emphasizing points and conveying enthusiasm.

You may not have been aware of this connection before, but you instinctively felt it. Research shows that audiences tend to view people who use a greater variety of gestures in a more favorable light. Studies have found that people who communicate through active gesturing tend to be evaluated as warm, agreeable, and energetic, while those who remain still (or whose gestures seem mechanical or “wooden”) are seen as logical, cold, and analytic.

That’s one of the reasons why gestures are so critical to a leader and why getting them right in a presentation connects so powerfully with an audience.

I’ve seen senior executives make rookie mistakes. When leaders don’t use gestures correctly (if they let their hands hang limply to the side, hide them in pockets or clasp their hands in front of their bodies in the classic “fig leaf” position), it suggests they don’t recognize the crucial issues, they have no emotional investment in the issues, or they don’t realize the impact of their nonverbal behaviour on the audience.

We all form impressions about a speaker that help determine how we interpret what the speaker is saying – and the impression we get about someone’s trustworthiness is a critically important factor in effective communication. If an audience does not trust the presenter, or at least think that the speaker believes what he is saying, then it will be almost impossible for that speaker to get his message across.

Trust is established through congruence – that perfect alignment between what is being said and the body language that accompanies it. If a speaker’s gestures are not in full agreement with the spoken words, the audience consciously or subconsciously perceives duplicity, uncertainty or (at the very least) internal conflict.

Although people may not be aware they are doing so, audience members are also evaluating a leader’s sincerity by the timing of his or her gestures: Authentic gestures begin split seconds before the words that accompany them. They will either precede the word or will be coincident with the word, but will never come after the word.

To use gestures effectively, leaders need to be aware of how those movements will most likely be perceived. Here are some common hand gestures and the messages behind them:

Emblematic gestures – Some gestures have an agreed-upon meaning to a group and are consciously used instead of words. These are referred to as emblematic gestures, and, like the words they represent, they’re processed in the left hemisphere of the brain. We learn emblematic gestures at home, in school, and in other social environments, so they generally differ from culture to culture. So remember that what may be effective communication in one culture can become ineffective or even offensive in another.

Emblematic gestures used in the U.S. and Canada include the thumbs-up sign that is commonly understood to mean “good job,” “OK” or “everything’s fine,” and hand rocking – where the palm faces down and the fingers spread out and the hand rocks left and right – means “so-so” or “maybe.”

Pacifying gestures – When nervous or stressed, people pacify themselves with a variety of self-touching gestures. They rub their legs, pull at their collars, and cross their arms to hold their upper arms in a kind of “self-hug.” In a presentation, any pacifying gesture (including hand wringing, rubbing the forehead, playing with jewelry or hair, etc.) makes a leader look tentative, unprepared or insecure.

Illustrative gestures – Everyone produces gestures spontaneously and unwittingly as they speak. We may seldom think of our gestures consciously, but in practice we use them with great efficiency and sophistication to cover a surprisingly wide range of communicating.

Sometimes gestures are used to physically illustrate a point, as when pointing to a particular paragraph in a contract or moving your hand to the right when telling someone to turn in that direction. Other gestures are unconscious signals that give the viewer a glimpse into the speaker’s emotions, motivations or attitude. These include . . .

Open palms at an angle – Gestures with palms showing (tilted to a 45 degree angle) signal candor and openness. When being truthful or forthcoming, people tend to use open gestures, showing their palms and wrists and spreading hands and arms away from their bodies, as if saying, “See, I have nothing to hide.”

Palms up – When palms are rotated straight up and fingers are spread, in a prototypical pleading position, it communicates the lack of something that the speaker needs or is requesting.

Palms down – Speakers pronate their palms (the palm faces down or back) to signal power and certainty. This is also a controlling signal – as when trying to quiet an audience.

Vertical palms – Vertical palm gestures with a rigid hand are often used to demonstrate the need for precise measurement – or to beat out a rhythm that gives emphasis to certain words.

Clenched hands – When a speaker clutches an object tightly, grips his hands behind his back, or curls his hands into fists, it signals anger, frustration or a nonverbal way of saying, “I’m holding on to something and I’m not going to open up to you.” Depending on the context, the clenched fist gesture can also communicate a warning that unwavering fortitude may be necessary to achieve an objective. I’ve often seen leaders use a fist to add the nonverbal equivalent of “with power”, “firm commitment,” or “by force” to their message.

Finger pointing – Finger pointing and wagging are parental gestures of scolding, and I’ve often seen politicians and executives, in particular, use this gesture in meetings, negotiations, or interviews for emphasis or to show dominance. The problem is that, rather than being a sign of authority, aggressive finger pointing suggests that the leader is losing control of the situation – and the gesture smacks of playground bullying.

Hands on hips – Whether in a stubborn toddler or an aggressive CEO, hands on hips is one of the most common gestures used to communicate a defiant, super-confident, or independent attitude.

Hidden hands – Hidden hands make you look less trustworthy. This is one of the nonverbal signals that is deeply ingrained in our subconscious. Our ancestors made survival decisions based solely on bits of visual information they picked up from one another. In our prehistory, when someone approached with hands out of view, it was a clear signal of potential danger. Although today the threat of hidden hands is more symbolic than real, our psychological discomfort remains.

Steepling gestures – It is common to see a speaker using a steepling gesture (palms separated slightly, fingers of both hands spread and finger tips touching) when feeling confident or comfortable about a subject she knows well. Politicians, executives, professors, and attorneys are very fond of using these gestures when they speak.

Hand gestures of enthusiasm – There is an interesting equation of hand and arm movement with energy. If a leader wanted to project more enthusiasm and drive, she could do so by increased gesturing. On the other hand, over-gesturing (especially when hands are raised above the shoulders) can make her appear erratic, less believable and less powerful.

Hand gestures of composure – Arms held at waist height, and gestures within that horizontal plane, help you – and the audience – feel centered and composed. Arms at waist and bent to a 45 degree angle (accompanied by a stance about shoulder-width wide) is also the posture I advise leaders to assume between gestures. It helps keep them grounded, energized, and focused.

Carol Kinsey Goman, PhD, is an executive coach, consultant, and international keynote speaker at corporate, government, and association events. She is also the author of STAND OUT: How to Build Your Leadership Presence.

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The views, opinions and positions expressed by columnists and contributors are the author’s alone. They do not inherently or expressly reflect the views, opinions and/or positions of our publication.

  Body language, Leadership, Career information

Natural Gestures (like pointing and waving hello/goodbye) and Key Word Sign (the use of basic sign language alongside spoken language) are a great visual you can add to communication with your child. And the best part is the tools are always with you.

But wait! Won’t signing stop my child from talking?

Short answer: No

Let’s think about how child communication typically develops. Before words children use gestures (like pointing) to let you know what they want. These gestures usually prompt parents to ask the child questions (like “what do you want”) which they, the parents, then answer (e.g. “oh you want a cookie). These exchanges naturally get adults to model language for children to learn from.

Key Word Sign and Natural Gestures can be used in the same way.

The GOOD NEWS is we can use them to both help children understand what we are saying to them, as well as, giving them an extra way of expressing themselves.

Who is it for?

Answer: Everyone!

That’s right your child doesn’t have to have additional communication needs to be supported by Key Word Sign and Natural Gestures. But if your child does have these needs (e.g. late talker, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Apraxia or unclear speech, or an AAC user) they will definitely appreciate the boost it gives them.

Benefits:

• Reduce the frustration of not being understood (when using verbal communication only)
• Provides a visual to verbal instructions/questions to assist comprehension
• Is a form of Alternative and Augmentative Communication (AAC) that is always with you

But where do I start?

Answer: With 1 sign. (Yep you read that right, just one).

But which one?

Answer: That’s a bit more complicated…

Choosing  your starting sign really depends on your family’s needs. A good starting point are core vocabulary words. These are the words that make up roughly 80% of what we say (making them perfect key words!). Choose a sign that is motivating for your child! Making sure you follow their interests when teaching new words and signs is essential. For example, your little one loves snack time.  You could choose “more” “yummy” or “eat” as your first sign.

Here is a core word sign grid from Scope and Key Word Sign Australia to give you some more ideas.

And some food and animals signs for some more personalised options.

How to

So you’ve picked your starting sign. Let’s say you picked “more.”

You could use this sign any time you are offering something desirable to your child. Give them a small amount of the desirable item. Wait. Ask them “More?” while modelling the sign. Wait. Ask again “do you want more?” while modelling the sign. Wait. Give them the item (too many repetitions of this without the reward will likely lead to a frustration or disinterest).

Some examples of desirable items are:

1. Snack
2. Drinks
3. Toys with pieces (e.g. blocks and puzzles)
4. Sensory games (e.g. tickles, bubbles, swinging)

Tips and Tricks:

• Be seen: Make sure your child can see you while you are signing
• Repeat, repeat, repeat
• Use the sign in context (e.g. don’t sign “dog” if there’s no dog around, keep it in the here and now)
• Be patient: Remember your child will need to build their understanding first, so don’t expect them to start signing back right away

Where to from here

Your speech pathologist can help you to learn and embed Key Word Sign and Natural Gesture into your child’s therapy plan.

Below are some handy resources you can use at home:

The Scope website also has more information on formal workshops with Key Word Sign Australia available for parent and professionals alike.

The Key Word Sign (KWS) app is also available from the apple store. This is a paid resource, but allows you to create a sign dictionary for your child (important if you need to adjust from standard signs due to motor difficulties).

Signbank is also a great free resource. It is the online Auslan (Australian sing language) dictionary and gives video examples to learn signs from.

Remember you only need 1 sign to get started. Choose a sign, use it often, be patient.

If you liked this blog you might like some of our other early language blogs (linked below)

How to accelerate your child’s language development (0-5 years of age): Our guide to Early Language Stimulation

When will my child talk?

My toddler isn’t talking yet… how do I teach him some words?

Building Language through Book Reading

Finding opportunities for language learning in every day: A busy family’s guide

Here’s what it means. Hand gestures are a critical aspect of human communication, according to psychologists.Other research has found that people who “talk” with their hands tend to be viewed as warm, agreeable and energetic, while those who are less animated are seen as logical, cold and analytical.

Is talking with your hands a bad thing?

You are always talking with your hands. Unfortunately, your hands might be saying the wrong things. According to a study published in the Leadership & Organization Development Journal: If you don’t use your hands when presenting, or if you use awkward hand movements, your audience will label you as cold and aloof.

What is it called when someone talks with their hands?

gesticulate Add to list Share. When you gesticulate, you make sweeping and excited movements with your hands when speaking.People who gesticulate could be said to talk with their hands!

Is talking with your hands genetic?

Good news for those of you who are so self-conscious about gesturing when speaking you issue that “I use my hands when I talk” line: You can stop apologizing.

Why do some people move hands when they talk?

People who are lecturing or giving a formal speech will often move their hands in time with what they are saying. These hand gestures play a role in coordinating the timing and pacing of what is being said. One interesting role of gestures is that they can help people to find a word.

What cultures talk with their hands?

It has long been known that Italians and Jews talk with their hands. Many other cultures are known for their propensity to include a fair amount of hand-gesturing. It is one of the most recognizable cultural features many groups share, and these particular two are best known for, among other features.

Why do people talk with gestures?

We find that the gestures speakers produce when they talk are integral to communication and can be harnessed in a number of ways. (1) Gesture reflects speakers’ thoughts, often their unspoken thoughts, and thus can serve as a window onto cognition.

Is it OK to talk with your hands during an interview?

During an interview, Drexler advises that you use your hands to express yourself because it makes you appear more at ease, which then puts the interviewer at ease. “If you watch someone talk, they’re moving their arms,” he explains.If you’re talking about the job or the company, you can gesture to the office.

Are hand gestures good in an interview?

Hand gestures play an important role in communication, helping you emphasise or reinforce key points and words. Using right hand movements while you talk signifies that you are giving out information, while left hand gestures indicate your readiness to receive information. Open palms show openness and honesty.

Is talking with your hands Attractive?

Other research has found that people who “talk” with their hands tend to be viewed as warm, agreeable and energetic, while those who are less animated are seen as logical, cold and analytical. That being said, of course, it is possible for your gesturing to get a little out of hand (pun intended).

Why do New Yorkers talk with their hands?

New Yorkers are hand talkers. We often use gestures to add emphasis to our conversations; from pointing to direct tourists, or waving to demonstrate our exasperation with traffic, drivers, or pedestrians, or trying to interject—because New Yorkers don’t interrupt! —we gesticulate.

What do hand gestures show?

Hand gestures can help you point to people and things in your surroundings (e.g. pointing at an object while you say “look at that”) Hand gestures can help you add emphasis and structure when you talk (e.g. showing numbers when you count, “1, 2, 3…”) Hand gestures give clues about your emotional state.

What is gestural communication?

nonverbal transmission and reception of messages (ideas, feelings, signals) by means of body movements. Sign language is an example.

What is bad body language in an interview?

Defensive or Aggressive Body Posture
Crossing your arms across your chest. Leaning forward a bit too assertively. Invading the interviewer’s personal space (aside from a handshake, no touching during an in-person interview!).

What are three things you should not say at an interview?

30 Things You Should Never Say in a Job Interview

• “So, Tell Me What You Do Around Here” Rule #1 of interviewing: Do your research.
• “Ugh, My Last Company…”
• “I Didn’t Get Along With My Boss”
• 4. “
• “I’ll Do Whatever”
• “I Know I Don’t Have Much Experience, But…”
• “It’s on My Resume”
• “Yes!

The habit of talking with one’s hands in Italy has been reported to address and reinforce the meaning of expressions. An iconic symbol of Italian gesture is the movement of the hand with an up-down activity. Under normal conversation, gesturing helps in delivering the meaning and receiving information.

Why do we need to hire you?

YOU can do the work and deliver exceptional results to the company. YOU will fit in beautifully and be a great addition to the team. YOU possess a combination of skills and experience that make you stand out. Hiring YOU will make him look smart and make his life easier.

What type of hands are attractive?

If you want to know how attractive a guy is, look down … at his hands, that is. The ratio between the length of his right index and ring fingers is linked to facial attractiveness, a new study finds. “What we found was that 2D:4D ratio can predict face attractiveness.

Are male hands attractive?

Your Hands
In a study from the University of Geneva, over 80 women evaluated men’s attractiveness based on various traits. Men with bigger finger length discrepancies were found to be more facially attractive but they were not considered especially masculine.