The Use of Hand Gesture in Political Speeches

Some Case Studies

Bibliographic Data

ID2351100
AuthorsPeter Bull (0000-0003-4739-2892, University of York, corresponding author)
Year1986
Volume5
Issue2
Pages103-118
Publication date1986-06-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Language and Social Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0261-927X • E-ISSN: 1552-6526
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0261927x8652002
OpenAlexW2006013506
LanguageEN
Citations received16
References cited9

Through the detailed analysis of videotapes, this research examines the relationship between the style and content of political speeches and the hand gestures politicians use. The results show that hand gesture is closely related to intonation, both in terms of vocal stress and tone group boundaries. The results also show that hand gesture is linked to the elicitation and control of applause. For example, a speech by Mr Arthur Scargill showed that he was highly successful in arousing applause through the use of rhetorical devices such as three-part lists and contrasts, which he typically accompanied with carefully synchronised hand gestures. He also frequently uses hand gesture to quell the applause, so that he actually seems to conduct his audience: his gestures both accompany rhetorical devices which evoke applause and curtail the applause once it has been aroused

Art · Gesture · Linguistics · Literature · Political science · Politics · Rhetorical question · Communication · Hearing Impairment and Communication · Language, Discourse, Communication Strategies · Law · Philosophy · Psychology

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