The Meaningful Forefinger

Discussed are the signifying functions of the forefinger: (1) pointed in any direction, it may be used to designate or localize any concrete or abstract idea; (2) raised to the head level it is used to mark an important declaration; (3) above head level it is used to attract attention to oneself; (4...

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Published in:Études de linguistique appliquée 1979-07, Vol.35 (July-Sept), p.91-109
Main Author: Calbris, G
Format: Article
Language:fre
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Summary:Discussed are the signifying functions of the forefinger: (1) pointed in any direction, it may be used to designate or localize any concrete or abstract idea; (2) raised to the head level it is used to mark an important declaration; (3) above head level it is used to attract attention to oneself; (4) at chest level it represents the number 1; (5) raising it from chest to shoulder level indicates a restrictive clause; (6) throwing the forefinger behind the shoulder or moving it laterally in front of oneself indicates negation; & (7) raising it diagonally to the level of the opposite shoulder indicates a threat. In an experiment, 28 Ss interpreted 6 forefinger positions. Results show that in the absence of verbal & other context, & of facial expression, some gestures are misinterpreted. The correct interpretation was reestablished when facial expression was provided. Generally, the forefinger may be used as a tool, a symbolic representation (one, phallus), or the abstraction of a physically motivated movement (threat to hit). The problem of the cross-cultural validity of this analysis is raised. 3 Tables, 9 Figures. A. Orianne
ISSN:0071-190X