Gesture, Speech, and Sign

Gesture, Speech, and Sign examines the relationship among signed languages, spoken languages, and gesture. It explores the origins, neurobiology, and use of these three communication systems. The book closes with a discussion of how this knowledge can be used to improve human-computer interactions.

Gestures are a special sort of action. They communicate the individual''s moods and desires to the world and they operate under different psychological and cognitive constraints to other actions. The connections between gesture and language - spoken and signed - pose some fascinating questions. How intimately are gesture and language connected? Did one evolve from the other? To what extent are they similarly processed in the brain? In what ways are signed languages akin to spoken language and gestures?Gesture, Speech, and Sign examines these questions, bringing together an international array of expertise to explore the origins, neurobiology, and uses of these three communication systems. A unique feature of the book is its discussion of how a greater understanding of these issues can be used to improve human-computer interactions. Designed to appeal to a multi-disciplinary audience Gesture, Speech, and Sign will be of interest to advanced students and researchers in neuroscience, psychology, linguistics, computer science, and those involved in deaf studies.