The Role of Gestures in Multilingual Communication
- Rachel Jaikumar
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Imagine this: you’re in a room full of people from five different countries, none of whom speak your native language fluently. You try to explain a simple idea and find your hands doing half the talking.
That’s no accident.
Gestures are one of the most powerful tools in human communication. In multilingual environments, where words can falter or mislead, gestures bridge the gap between intent and understanding.
But here’s the catch: not all gestures are universal. A thumbs-up might mean “great” in one country, and “offensive” in another. So how can we use gestures effectively when communicating across cultures?
In this article, we explore the psychology, science, and social implications of gestures in multilingual communication and how to make sure your body speaks the same language as your words.
Why Gestures Matter in Multilingual Settings
In global or multilingual settings classrooms, negotiations, international teams verbal language often lacks the precision or shared understanding we rely on in native-language settings. That’s where gestures come in.
They serve three key purposes:
1. Clarification
Gestures often help convey the meaning of a word or phrase that might otherwise be misunderstood.
Pointing when giving directions
Showing size with hands
Mimicking actions (typing, driving, writing)
2. Cognitive Support
Gestures aren’t just for the listener. Speakers use gestures to help organize their thoughts, reduce cognitive load, and find the right words.
Studies show speakers gesture more when searching for a second-language word.
3. Emotional Expression
When vocabulary fails, gestures like shrugging, placing a hand on the heart, or showing open palms convey emotion and intention clearly.
Types of Gestures and Their Functions
1. Iconic Gestures
These gestures represent a physical object or action. E.g., miming drinking from a cup, drawing a shape in the air.
Use when: Describing a process, movement, or tangible concept.
2. Deictic Gestures (Pointing)
Used to indicate people, places, or things.
Use when: Referring to charts, slides, or someone in the room. Be aware that pointing with a finger is rude in some cultures (e.g., Japan, Indonesia).
3. Emblematic Gestures
These are culture-specific gestures that have a direct verbal translation like a thumbs-up, peace sign, or “OK” symbol.
Caution: These vary greatly across cultures. (More on this below.)
4. Regulators
Gestures that manage flow in conversation like nodding to encourage, raising a finger to interject, or holding up a hand to pause.
Use when: You want to show you're listening or want to guide turn-taking in a conversation.
5. Adaptors
These are unconscious movements like scratching, tapping, or fidgeting often signs of anxiety or distraction.
Tip: Be mindful of overusing adaptors in high-stakes or virtual settings.
The Cross-Cultural Risk: Gestures That Don't Translate
Not all gestures are created equal. In fact, some carry entirely different meanings across borders. Here's a snapshot of common gestures that don’t mean the same everywhere:
Thumbs Up
Meaning in One Culture: Approval (USA, UK)
Offense in Another: Insult (Iran, Greece, parts of the Middle East)
OK Sign
Meaning in One Culture: Okay (USA)
Offense in Another: Vulgar gesture (Brazil, Turkey)
Horns Gesture
Meaning in One Culture: Rock-on or celebration (USA)
Offense in Another: Cuckold insult (Italy, Spain)
Open Palm
Meaning in One Culture: Hello or stop (USA)
Offense in Another: Insulting gesture, “Talk to the hand” (Greece)
Pointing with Feet
Meaning in One Culture: Neutral or unconscious habit
Offense in Another: Deeply disrespectful (Thailand, many Asian countries)
Before gesturing freely, learn the cultural context of your audience. What helps in one setting can hurt in another.
Gestures in Virtual Multilingual Meetings
Even through screens, gestures play a role but with limitations:
Framing matters: Keep your upper body and hands visible.
Intentional gestures: Use deliberate movements (pointing to slides, nodding in agreement).
Minimize distracting gestures: Rapid hand motions may blur or lag.
Tip: Virtual presentations with slow, meaningful gestures often retain audience attention better than those filled with movement noise.
Tips for Using Gestures Effectively Across Languages
1. Stick to Simple, Universal Motions
Nod = agreement
Hand to heart = sincerity
Open palms = honesty
Shrug = “I don’t know” or uncertainty
These tend to be widely understood, even without language.
2. Use Gestures to Support, Not Replace, Speech
Don’t rely solely on gestures unless you're in a known pantomime or performance context. Instead, speak and gesture in harmony.
Saying “I’ll email you” while miming typing makes the message more clear and memorable.
3. Observe and Mirror
Pay attention to how your audience or colleagues use gestures. Mirroring (subtly mimicking others’ body language) builds rapport and comfort especially in intercultural settings.
4. Avoid Gestural Overload
Too much gesturing, especially in confined or virtual spaces, can confuse or overwhelm.
Guideline: Think of gestures as visual punctuation marks, not entire paragraphs.
5. When in Doubt, Ask
If you’re unsure whether a gesture is appropriate:
“Is this gesture okay to use here?” People appreciate the effort and you avoid miscommunication.
Real-World Example
Scenario: An American trainer delivers a workshop in India. He uses the "thumbs up" gesture frequently to show approval and encouragement.
What Went Wrong: Some participants were visibly uncomfortable, and feedback later revealed that the gesture was perceived as brash and overly informal.
The Fix: The trainer switched to nodding and open-hand gestures, leading to better reception and smoother cultural alignment.
The Psychology Behind Why Gestures Work
Neurological research shows that:
Gestures enhance memory recall in both speakers and listeners
They activate the motor cortex, creating stronger engagement
In bilinguals, gestures can speed up processing in the second language
In short: Gesturing helps you be understood and helps others retain what you say.
Final Thoughts: Speak With Your Hands, But Think With Your Heart
Gestures are a gift. They’re a universal toolkit built into the human body one that helps us connect beyond grammar, dialect, or accent. But like all tools, they must be used with cultural sensitivity and strategic intent.
In a multilingual world, it’s not just what you say. It’s how you move when you say it.
Call to Action
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StorytellerCharles offers experiential training on nonverbal communication, gesture use across cultures, and multilingual presentation techniques.
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