“Talk to the Hand: The Art of Italian Gestures”
In Italian, communication goes beyond mere verbalization and sentence construction. Words and sentences carry subtleties that often require physical expression. In some respects, Italians who cannot use their hands may find themselves rendered mute.
As you walk along the streets in Italy or even in the Little Italy neighborhoods of America, you’ll observe animated Italians constantly moving their hands and gesturing emphatically. You might see a cupped handshaking at the wrist, two palms coming together and moving harmoniously, or a hand flicking beneath the chin. And, of course, there are those less polite gestures that I won’t mention. They aren’t just speaking; they’re giving life to their words, going beyond mere verbal communication. They are saying: “Che cosa,” “Madonna,” “Basta,” or “Tu sei pazzo!” (What’s up? Blessed Mother, Enough, or you are crazy!)
Even if you don’t understand a word of Italian, you can still grasp the message. Ask an Italian for directions, and suddenly, they’re guiding you down the streets to your ultimate destination. You might end up regretting what you asked! They might say, “Up the road, you know where the church of Saint John is; turn the corner at the fruit market where they sell the chestnuts, and keep going until you reach the water; whenyou can’t go anymore, make a right! ” The words themselves don’t matter much; their hands act out the landmarks like a lively game of charades.
Italians have elevated this form of communication into an art form. Even my youngest grandchildren are familiar with the Index Finger Twisted into the Cheek, a gesture that conveys that something tastes good or is delicious. “Buono!” It’s a delightful physical expression of their emotions and unwavering conviction, a vivid addition to spoken phrases. There’s a tangible aspect to Italian culture that makes these gestures a seamless extension of their language.
Other examples include:
Fingers Pinched Against Thumb: This gesture, where the fingers are pinched together against the thumb, can mean “What do you want from me?” or “I wasn’t born yesterday.”
Hand Circled Slowly: Slowly circling the hand indicates a sense of indifference or “Whatever” in response to a situation.
Side of the Hand Against the Belly: Placing the side of the hand against the belly suggests that someone is hungry.
Tapping One’s Wrist: Tapping the wrist is a universal sign for “Hurry up” or indicating that someone is running late.
Two Open Hands: Using two open hands can indicate a genuine question like “What’s happening?” or curiosity about a situation.
Hands Placed in Prayer: Placing the hands together in a prayer-like position signifies supplication or a rhetorical question, as in, “What do you expect me to do about it?”
Shrugged Shoulders and Raised Hands: When asked about the arrival time of something, like a bus, Italians often respond with shrugged shoulders, an “ehh” sound, and two raised hands, conveying that it will happen only when fate allows.
These gestures are essential to Italian communication and can add layers of meaning to conversations beyond just spoken words.
What’s the origin of these gestures?
One theory posits that these gestures became an alternative means of communication during centuries of foreign rule in Italy, from the 14th to the 19th centuries. Countries like Austria, France, and Spain held power over Italy during this time, and these gestures might have allowed Italians to secretly convey messages without their foreign rulers understanding.
Other theories provide additional insights into the roots of Italian gestures. For instance, in densely populated cities such as Naples, gesturing emerged as a way for individuals to distinguish themselves and assert their presence in crowded surroundings. People used gestures and their entire bodies to capture attention in such environments.
Additionally, a 19th-century priest and archaeologist made intriguing findings by comparing the gestures depicted on ancient Greek vases found in the Naples region with those employed by his contemporaries in Naples. This suggests a historical continuity in the use of motions within the area.
Despite the evolution of languages over the centuries, gestures have remained relatively consistent. Gestures tend to change less than spoken words over time.
According to an alternate theory, a philosopher reconsidered the idea that language was primarily a tool for establishing truth and conveying information. This shift in perspective occurred after an encounter with an individual who responded to the philosopher’s theory with a single, impactful gesture: a brush of their fingers against their chin. This gesture signaled indifference or dismissal — a classic act of defiance against authority.
This particular gesture doesn’t convey information; rather, it negates it. It represents a form of rebellion against power and a way of asserting one’s own dignity. This encounter prompted the philosopher to reevaluate the nature and purpose of language.
In conclusion, Italian gestures are a unique form of non-verbal communication that bridges language and culture, adding humor and emotion to conversations and reflecting the essence of Italians around the world.
What gestures have you experienced or observed in your interactions that are considered polite and in good taste?
SOURCES: https://www.nytimes.com/2013/07/01/world/europe/when-italians-chat-hands-and-fingers-do-the-talking.html#:~:text=One%20theory%20holds%20that%20Italians,communicating%20without%20their%20overlords%20understanding.
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