Have you ever seen this picture? It's a famous image of Winston Churchill showing the "V for Victory" sign during World War II. The 1960's and 70's, transformed the same gesture into a symbol meaning "peace," a related but slightly different meaning in the context of the Vietnam War. If you take the same two fingers in the form of a peace sign, and place them behind someone's head, the meaning changes entirely; they become bunny ears and a sure fire way to annoy the photographer of the occasion.
The list of ways we use our hands to communicate is endless. We wave hello, crook and wiggle our index finger to beckon someone closer, or pinch our noses to indicate an unpleasant odor. Pilots use gestures to signal their ground crews. Sky diving instructors use gestures to coach plummeting students. Link Even hip hop artists give meaning to their art by adding hand movements to their performances. Link Gestures can communicate instructions, demonstrate emotions, and offer healing comfort.
We often assume that gestures are a universal language. A smile is universally understood but some common gestures can have shockingly different meanings in different parts of the world. Teachers who are expert in teaching English as a second language (ESL or ESOL, English to Speakers of Other Languages) know that they have to familiarize everyone with these differences in interpreting hand movements. The "okay" sign made by forming a circle with your fingers is seen as an obscene gesture in other parts of the world. Link A person who doesn't understand the differences runs the risk of destroying communication rather than enhancing it.
A different type of communication occurs when one uses the hands to express language. Wireless operators on the Titanic used their hands to frantically signal both "SOS" and "CQD," the distress signals of the day, using Morse code. Link People who are unable to hear or speak, rely on sign language to convey their thoughts. Link
I suggest you give some thought to the ways in which you use your hands to communicate each day. Be cautious when communicating with folks who might mistakenly take offense at your gestures. When you have a moment, take some time to explore some new ways of communicating by practicing Morse code or American Sign Language. You never know when these new skills will come in "handy."
