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The same gesture can mean different things, or have different names in different languages. In this Lingthusiasm zine, @superlinguo.bsky.social gets enthusiastic about these "emblem gestures" For more lingthusiastic zines: lingthusiasm.com/zines

28/7/26, 4:31 am29 reposts82 likes

Gary Whitehouse

@coffeeanddanish.bsky.social

29 July

I was in a Mideastern country in the 70s where everyone hitchhiked. The thumb gesture was very rude; one pointed at the road with the index finger to hitch a ride. Good early education on gestures.

Steven

@gupdoo3.bsky.social

28 July

1. Scout's Honor 2. Pinky promise 3. I still don't know what this is supposed to signify 4. Metal horns 3. Thumbs up 4. Peace sign 5. I love you 6. Vulcan salute 7. I vaguely remember seeing this on a list of international obscene gestures

Steven

@gupdoo3.bsky.social

28 July

Speaking of gestures I noticed that recently I've tended to use the ASL for yes interchangeably with the English(/Spanish/Japanese) word, and use it instead of similar gestures like thumbs up or the OK hand. This also happened to a lesser degree to ASL "sorry"

Steven

@gupdoo3.bsky.social

28 July

I only know a few words in ASL but I use those few words fairly regularly when I have a speech loss episode so that's probably where the habit formed