The nature and functions of gesture in children's communication
By: Jana M. Iverson, Susan Goldin-Meadow, editors
Contributors: Iverson, Jana M; Goldin-Meadow, Susan
Series: New directions for child development -- no. 79
Publisher: Jossey-Bass Publishers
Published: 1998
Place of publication: San Francisco
Language: eng
Number of pages: 121
Subjects: Language acquisition; Gesture; Children -- Language
Description: Movements of the hands that co-occur with speech - gestures - are the subject of this volume in the New Directions for Child Development series. Although gesture has always been considered relevant to talk, it has usually been seen as a stream separate from speech, one that can reflect the attitudes and feelings of speakers but that is not centrally involved in language. It was not until recently that gesture became a "legitimate" interest of language researchers. The chapters herein focus on the spontaneous gestures that accompany speech, especially the speech of children. Together they confirm that gesture is a robust and integral part of communication that can provide unique insights into the mind.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index