Talk about it
Here are some more gestures that Americans use. Watch each video and notice the gesture you see. Try to repeat the gesture exactly as you see it. Talk about what you think each gesture means.
For example,
Let’s watch this video.
Let’s talk about it. I think it means “Come here.”
Really? I think it means “Go away.”
Okay, we disagree. Let’s watch the next one…
| I know it ? | The gesture | Description |
| Hold both palms up and to the side of your body and move both shoulders up and down one time. | ||
| Put one index finger in front of your lips. | ||
| Put your closed fingers to your temple and then open them quickly. | ||
| Bend your pinkie finger and link it with another person’s. | ||
| Pass a flat hand over your head from front to back. | ||
| Snap your finger and move your arm diagonally. toward your body. | ||
| Make a circling motion with your index finger near your temple. | ||
| Hold two hands up with your palms outward. | ||
| Wipe the sweat off your forehead with the back of your hand. | ||
| Drum your fingers repeatedly on a flat surface. | ||
| Make a fist and pump your arm down once. | ||
| Shake your index finger at someone. | ||
| Curl your index finger up and towards you three or four times. | ||
| Point to your chest. | ||
| Rub your thumb and first two fingers together. | ||
| Make a fist but point your thumb down. | ||
| Cup your hand around your ear. | ||
| Move one or both shoulders up and down one time quickly. | ||
| Hold one hand up with your palm outward. | ||
| Make a circle with your thumb and index finger and hold your other fingers up. | ||
| Shake your palm from side to side in front of you. | ||
| Raise one index finger. | ||
| Make a fist but point your thumb up. | ||
| Cross your arms and rub your opposite arm. | ||
| Make slow, repeated downward motions of your two palms. | ||
| Turn your palm face upwards, pull your fingers towards you three or four times. |