Un gesto vale più di mille parole (A gesture is more valuable than a thousand words) is what an Italian proverb says.
Speak Italian, by Bruno Munari. Book Cover
As you probably already know, Italian gestures are a significant aspect of the Italian identity. Just a few of these gestures are also used here in America (the crossed fingers to wish for a good luck, or pulling your index in toward your body to indicate someone to come over to you), but the vast majority of them are typically Italian.
According to a recent study conducted by Professor Isabella Poggi from the University of Rome III, Italians can use around 250 gestures a day to communicate1When Italians Chat, Hands and Fingers Do the Talking, New York Times, June 30, 2013.. This rich lexicon of gestures, as she said, “is comparable in size and sophistication to the lexicon of sign language for the deaf.” There are nice gestures and rude ones; some of them express feelings, others indicate traits. Hands can translate a long concept or simply transpose a noun or adjective, as well as a comma, a period, or exclamation and question marks.
ActivityEnjoy the two video clips and try to learn some of the Italian gestures.
Activity Read the CNN article“Italian hand gestures everyone should know” and enjoy the video clip. Try to memorize some of the gestures indicated.
