Web Activity 2.4 Gestures supporting or replacing speech

Conduct a little experiment to observe how people use gestures that either accompany or replace speech.

To get several people to describe the same event, choose a short video. Have each person watch the video separately, and then describe the events in the video. Instruct half of your subjects to describe the video verbally while gesturing in a natural way. Ask the other half to describe the events using gesture only. You might want to videotape their performances.

A good video to use is one that is very short (under two minutes), preferably non-verbal, and depicts a sequence of events in which multiple characters or objects are involved. Videos of funny pet mishaps often fit the bill, as does the following video, taken from the TV program “Just for Laughs Gags”:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7ood21fEMM

In observing your subjects, note the similarities and differences in how gestures are used in the two situations. In particular, pay attention to the following: Are the gestures referential? Or are they descriptive? Are some of the same gestures repeated multiple times in the description? Are gestures combined in a sequential manner or in a holistic way (see Figure 2.5 in the text)? How do the speakers use visual space to help them convey information?