Are body-language questions on topic for EL&U?

Question

This question is about body language (i.e. a gesture) used in an English-speaking country. Is this on topic for the site?

The English Chicken · Accepted Answer · 2011-03-04 15:01:06Z

4

I think that:

What does XYZ gesture mean?

is off-topic, while

What is this gesture (XYZ gesture) called?

would be within the scope of this site.

answered Mar 4, 2011 at 15:01

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mmyers · Accepted Answer · 2011-02-25 19:57:28Z

3

I would say not. Nor is American Sign Language, despite its connections to English.

answered Feb 25, 2011 at 19:57

mmyersMod

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Just a minor point: ASL is considered by linguists to be its own separate language; it has connections to English but so does Latin. On the other hand, gestures are often considered to be a part of a language (for example, pointing at something and referring to it as "this"). So, I wouldn't personally link the fate of this question to ASL, which clearly doesn't belong. However, even with that as my viewpoint, I find myself on the fence about whether a one-off gesture like the one in the question qualifies as a supporting part of language.
– Kosmonaut Mod
Commented Feb 26, 2011 at 3:04
ASL is not strongly connected to English. It is, in fact, a descendant of Old French Sign Language and of Martha's Vineyard Sign Language.
– TRiG
Commented Mar 22, 2011 at 19:07

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