GESTURES AND SIGN LANGUAGES

Abstract

This article explores the relationship between gestures and sign languages as essential components of human nonverbal communication. It examines the linguistic, cognitive, and communicative functions of gestures in everyday interaction and analyzes the structural features of sign languages used by deaf communities. The study highlights the similarities and differences between spontaneous gestures and conventionalized sign systems, emphasizing their role in meaning-making, social interaction, and cultural expression. Particular attention is given to the contribution of gestures and sign languages to multimodal communication and language development. The findings demonstrate that both gestures and sign languages serve as effective means of transmitting information and reflect the close connection between language, cognition, and culture.