Visual-Gestural Communication : A Workbook in Nonverbal Expression and Reception

257 Pages·2019·4.23 MB·English

by  Conley

Visual-Gestural
Communication
A Workbook in Nonverbal
Expression and Reception
Willy Conley
VISUAL-GESTURAL
COMMUNICATION
Visual-Gestural Communication is a truly unique volume in non-language communication
devoted to the study of universal gestures, facial expressions, body language, and
pantomime. Readers develop the skill and confi dence to interact–sans shared language–
with individuals , such as someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, or who speaks a foreign
language.
The text and accompanying online resources feature a wealth of icebreakers, sequenced
yet modular activities and assignments, as well as resources, student exercises, and
teacher-guided tasks that explore aspects and amalgamations of nonverbal communication,
theatre, and sign language. It is a tremendous resource for students of visual-gestural
communication, sign language interpretation, American Sign Language (ASL), and other
foreign sign languages, nonverbal communication, theatre, and performance studies, as
well as community educators in deaf awareness and advocacy. In addition to the text’s vital
use in the theatrical arena, it is also applicable to teachers who wish to help their students
maximize the use of their facial expressions, gestures, and body language as a prerequisite
to learning ASL.
Willy Conley is a professor of Theatre and Dance at Gallaudet University in Washington,
DC. He is an award-winning playwright whose work has appeared in A merican Theatre ,
Theatre for Young Audiences Today , Stages of Transformation, and numerous anthologies.
He specializes in teaching visual-gestural communication to undergraduate and graduate
deaf, hard-of-hearing, and hearing students. His publications include L istening Through the
Bone: Collected Poems ( 2018), T he Deaf Heart: A Novel ( 2015), and V ignettes of the Deaf
Character and Other Plays (2009).

VISUAL-GESTURAL
COMMUNICATION
A WORKBOOK IN
NONVERBAL EXPRESSION
AND RECEPTION
WILLY CONLEY
First edition published 2019
by Routledge
52 Vanderbilt Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa
business
© 2019 Taylor & Francis
The right of Willy Conley to be identifi ed as author of this work has been
asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright,
Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced
or utilized in any form or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means,
now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording,
or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in
writing from the publishers.
Trademark notice : Product or corporate names may be trademarks or
registered trademarks, and are used only for identifi cation and explanation
without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
A catalog record has been requested for this book
ISBN: 9781138605855 (hbk)
ISBN: 9781138605862 (pbk)
ISBN: 9780429467905 (ebk)
Typeset in Akzidenz Grotesk and Franklin Gothic
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
Visit the eResources: www.routledge.com/9781138605862

CONTENTS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
P xiv
CHAPTER 1
P 2
INTRODUCTION
Inherent Benefi ts p3
An Abridged, Concise (Perhaps Quirky) History
of Gestures p10
Gesture–Sign Language Connections p16
Gesture and Pantomime in Theatre p18
Nonverbal Applications p23
Some Iconic Gestures in Culture, Film, and TV p25
Self-Awareness p38
CHAPTER 2
P 40
WARM-UPS, ICEBREAKERS,
AND EXERCISES
Physical Warm-Ups and Icebreakers p41
Point and Go p41
Anthropomorphic Ball p42
Energy Ball p45
Rhythm Game p47
Who’s the Leader? p49
Real and Imaginary Jump Roping p51
Real and Imaginary Tug-of-War p52
vii
VISUAL-GESTURAL COMMUNICATION
Invisible Puppetry p54
Elephant Gestures p56
Fear the Sword p58
Group Arm Wave p59
Group Clap p61
Newspaper Tag p62
Group Sculpture p64
Factory Assembly Line p66
Emotional Symphony p68
Observing, Copying, and Exaggerating Walks p69
Facial Expression Exercises p71
What’s My Face Saying? p71
“Go Face!” Card Game p72
Mask Makers p74
Yes/No Game p76
Visual Exercises p78
Mirror Game p78
Visual Instincts p79
What Changed? p81
What’s Wrong with This Picture? p82
Who’s the Killer? p86
Visual-Gestural Exercises p87
Gesturing Tips p87
Gestural Name Game p88
Celebrity Party: Who Am I? p91
Enacting Wordless Comic Strips p92
Sports Fans p97
Polaroids p98
I Am a Camera p100
viii
CONTENTS
What Are We Doing? p102
Manual Gibberish p104
Transformation Exercises p107
Where Are We? p109
Down to the Last Detail p110
Your Game p111
Get That Person Off the Chair ! p112
What’s in the Room? p114
Guesstures p115
Gestural Competition p117
Clay/Model/Artist p119
Telephone Game p122
Let’s Go Shopping p124
The Elevator p126
United Nations of Gestures p127
Gift Giving in Gestures p128
CHAPTER 3
P 130
VISUAL-GESTURAL
COMMUNICATION
ASSIGNMENTS
Your Gestural Introduction p131
Personal Coat of Arms p132
Universal Gestures p133
International Sign p136
Random Universal Phrases or Questions p139
ix