Introduction to Body Language and Gestures
Body language or conduct during a discussion can convey various distinct meanings. Various body parts may be employed to execute signals to convey various messages. Gestures, which are bodily motions and poses mostly made with the hands, head, and arms, may convey infinite feelings and sentiments (Aripin, Noorezam, & Rahmat, 2020). These motions are divided into several categories: affect displays, emblems, illustrators, regulators, and adaptors. I carefully monitored a security officer stationed at the mall’s doorway as I tried to understand the implications of various gestures; my primary attention was centered on the guard’s body movements.
Observation of Body Language and Gestures
Emblems
Emblems are body motions that can be used independently and entail explicit vocal interpretation. The security officer made a number of these motions. For instance, the OK sign, which is produced by forming an O with the thumb, index finger, and other fingers spread apart, was often employed.
The security officer utilized this signage to let regular visitors know everything was fine. When guests asked if a particular store in the mall was operating, he occasionally affirmatively shook his head. The security personnel waved their right hand and palm towards the departing customer as they left the shopping center; they made this motion as a farewell to them.
Illustrators
Illustrators are body motions that support spoken information. I observed several of these signals in the officer’s communication style. Initially, when an individual entered the building, the security guard lifted his right hand, palm directed away from the person’s body. This served as a cue for them to stop at the inspection point. The security officer could extend his hand with an outstretched palm pointing upward after inspecting their bags. He used this to welcome visitors to the marketplace.
Regulators
The security officer sat with his co-workers and started talking when no one entered the mall. I gleaned some of the regulators they employed from their discourse. For instance, I caught the officer bringing his fingertip to his lips at one point. He did this whenever he thought a car would be near the mall’s fence and might be honking to try to silence it. I could also hear the guard’s short sounds of “uhh” and “hmm” as he talked with his colleague. Using these regulators helped keep the conversation going, proving the two parties were interested.
Affect Displays
Affect displays can be facial expressions, body posture, loudness, voice tone, and laughing or sobbing. Throughout my inspection, I saw the guard’s female colleague regularly squint her eyes, seemingly disagreeing with the suggestions made by her male co-workers. Additionally, she could give her colleague a fixed glance to show attention to what was being said.
The usage of a smirk is another signal that I noticed. The security officers gave each visitor who came through the door a friendly grin as they arrived. These affect displays portrayed the officers’ attitudes toward each other.
Adopters
Adopters are body movements intended to increase relaxation, especially during discussion. The security guy occasionally swayed his arms back and forth while speaking with the visitors. He wanted to seem gentler and more at ease.
He kept his hands joined either in front or at the rear while addressing important persons, which I also saw. He also saluted them, lifting his right hand to his head and maintaining it there. These two actions were meant to express extreme respect, particularly for well-known individuals.
Conclusion: Importance of Gestures in Daily Interaction
Everyday interactions rely heavily on gestures; the abovementioned observation clarifies this. I observed several gestures used on this occasion to convey various ideas. The incorporation of affect displays included smiling and rolling of the eyes.
Additionally, the security personnel employed modifications like swinging their arms or clasping them together while speaking. One illustration of a regulator in use is putting a finger to the lips to hush someone. Whenever the security officer motioned with his palm to tell the visitor to stop at the inspection point and follow him into the mall, illustrators were also utilized. Symbols like the OK sign and head nods were also employed.
Reference
Aripin, N., Noorezam, M., & Rahmat, N. H. (2020). Kinesics in oral presentation: Exploring speaking anxiety through narrative enquiry. European Journal of English Language Teaching, 6(2), 1-14. Web.