Abstract
In phonology, the terms ‘tenseness’ (tensing) and ‘laxness’ (laxing) are an important pair pertaining to the distinctive features of vowels. A similar dichotomy, ‘tenseness’ – ‘laxness’, can also be observed in the body-gesture (B-G) behaviors. On the basis of this distinction, the author of the article proposes to make a division between two body–gesture cultures, namely: the ‘lax B-G cultures’, and the ‘tense B-G cultures’, respectively. Additionally, the author constructs two working hypotheses. Namely:Hypothesis no. 1 (H1):(H1a): The laxer the B-G system is, the less ritual (and more casual) a given communication act happens to be.(H1b): The relationship “lax body posture + lax gesture” correlates with full spoken, profane (non-ritual) communication potential.Hypothesis no. 2 (H2):(H2a): The tenser the B-G system is, the more ritual a given communication act happens to be.(H2b): The relationship “tense body posture + tense gesture” correlates with full spoken, ritual (nonprofane) communication potential.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
