Gestures that co‐occur with speech as a systematic resource: the realization of experiential meanings in indexes

Abstract

This paper presents a model of systematic correspondences between meanings and forms of experientially functioning gestures that co‐occur with speech. It argues that such gestures are compositional, consisting of formal choices at different ranks, which realize choices of types of processes and circumstances in the semantics. This approach to gestures is contrasted with the currently predominant approach according to which gestures that co‐occur with speech are holistic and instantial. The paper also makes some observations on the use of such gestures by different social and cultural groups.