Perception study -- ASL vs. Gestures

[Adam Frost]

Oh, yes. I agree. I was just giving a very generalized definition. Noticed I never said they are universal gestures, just that some might think them as such. Nonetheless, I agree that the definition I gave isn't the best. I'm sure several on this list can give a better one than me. ;-) I just hope I was able to answer what emblems were. 

Adam

On Apr 23, 2012, at 11:46 AM, "Richard J Senghas" <richard.senghas at SONOMA.EDU> wrote:

> Ah, but we must be careful about assumptions of universality (or near-universality).  Both those particular gestures are extraordinarily rude in certain cultural contexts, and those are not small obscure locations but across sizable regions.  Granted, contemporary media continues to increase the diffusion of shared forms, but again, those forms (even when shared) take on additional local salience specific to those locales.
> 
> -RJS
> ======================================================================
> Richard J. Senghas, Professor            | Sonoma State University
> Anthropology                             | 1801 East Cotati Avenue
> Human Development Program                | Rohnert Park, CA 94928-3609
> Richard.Senghas[at]sonoma.edu            | 707-664-3920 (fax)
> 
> 
> 
> 
> On Apr 23, 2012, at 7:56 AM, Adam Frost wrote:
> 
>> I suspect that Adam is referring to what some people would call "universal gestures" that are generally known regardless of knowing different languages. Some examples are thumbs up and A-ok. 
>> 
>> Adam
>> The other one ;-)
>