ReaDing and discusSion

1.1 Read the text “Gestures” (activity 13.3 A), follow the activities of the book (13. 3 B-C).

1.2 Finish the following statements:

1. To become gesture, an act has to be..........................................................

2. The hand-wave is a Primary Gesture, because..........................................

3. It is preferable to use the term 'gesture' in its wider meaning as..............

4. A convenient way to distinguish between Incidental and Primary Gestures is.....................................................................................................

5. A Symbolic Gesture indicates an abstract quality that.............................

6. Many people would understand temple-forefinger actions, but others would have their own local stupidity gestures, such as................................

7. If in Saudi Arabia touching the lower eyelid with the tip of the forefinger indicates stupidity, in various other countries it can mean..........

8. The reason for this apparent chaos of meanings is...................................

9. There are two basic problems where Symbolic Gestures are concerned ……………………………………………………………………………..

10. The only solution is...............................................................................

1.3 Define if the statement is true or false:

1. A gesture is any action that sends an audible signal to an onlooker.

2. To become a gesture, an act has to communicate some peace of information and to be seen by someone else.

3. The sneeze is considered to be a Primary Gesture.

4. The only function of sneezing is to warn your companions that you may have caught a cold.

5. Gesturing is not what signals we think we are sending out, but what signals re being received.

6. It's almost impossible to differentiate Incidental and Primary Gestures.

7. A Symbolic Gesture indicates an abstract quality that has no simple equivalent in the world of objects and movements.

8. There is the only way to make a silent sign for stupidity.

9. Some stupidity signals mean totally different things in different countries.

10. In Saudi Arabia stupidity can be signalled by touching the lower eyelid with the tip of the thumb.

11. The reason for the apparent chaos in interpretations of one and the same gesture is not clear.

1.4 Choose the correct variant to complete the sentences:

1. A gesture is any action that sends a visual signal to________.

1. an onlooker

2. a companion

3. a speaker

4. a listener

2. The gesturer________________ sets out to send a signal when he waves his hand.

1. incidentally

2. deliberately

3. unintentionally

4. accidentally

3. The primary function of sneezing is mechanical and is concerned with the sneezer's ___________ .

1. attitude to his companion

2. bad mood

3. excitement

4. personal breathing problem

4. It is preferable to use the term 'gesture' in its wider meaning as ________.

a) means of communication

b) observed action

c) visual signal

e) informative sign

5) Tapping the elbow of the raised forearm, flapping the hand up and down in front of half-closed eyes, rotating a raised hand, or laying one forefinger flat across the forehead in different countries mean_______.

a) cleverness

b) stupidity

c) delight

d) disrespect

6) It is essential to know the precise ________________being represented by the symbolism of the gesture in any particular culture.

a) meaning

b) features

c) 'seeing' property

d) signals

7) The only solution is to approach each culture with an open mind and________.

a) visit a lot of countries

b) learn the Symbolic Gestures

c) Guess the meaning yourself.