Popular Policy Model: Political Speech Part 2

Gesticisation

Already in ancient times, the importance of gestures was appreciated. The Quintilian, the Roman retor, and the teacher in pronunciation explanation wrote: “If... the movements of the another parts of the body help... our words, then the movements of the hands, to be said, talk themselves. Do we not request with them, do we not promise, call, give up, threaten, beg...”[1]. So the gestures can transmit messages without utilizing words, and if expressed during speaking, they frequently give verbal content a certain speech and meaning, as well as greatly influence the reception of a given text by listeners[2]. Interestingly, with the person’s image presented, they can dominate verbal communication much, due to the fact that according to investigation 70% of communication is visual alternatively than auditory[3]. For example, an assessment of whether a given leader is intelligent or not can be based primarily on the impression that viewers have erstwhile they look at the policy’s speech and its gestures betraying the applicable (or not) approach to the subject.[4]. Then the listeners themselves, through their attitude, can signal the speakers about their attitude towards him.[5].

An interesting example of a circumstantial faux pas in the sphere of gesticulation[6] There is an American politician who, due to the years in which he held office, is not the subject of investigation in this work. Still, it is worth recalling the 5th decade of the 20th century, erstwhile then vice president Richard Nixon made his authoritative journey to Brazil. As he left the plane, he waved to the assembled and utilizing both hands showed the sign OK (a contact of the index finger with a thumb shaped like a circle). In Brazil, due to cultural differences, this mark is considered offensive and vulgar and corresponds to the meaning of showing the mediate finger. And while many people were aware of the difference in meaning in gestures, any felt affected by the behaviour of politics[7]. George H. W. Bush's visit to Australia in January 1992 is simply a more contemporary example. The president then showed a motion of "victoria" towards the crowd (made by erecting the fingers: the index and the mediate while simultaneously folding the thumb and fingers: hearty and small). However, this motion was different from the 1 they performed, for example Winston Churchill or Lech Wałęsa, and alternatively of the interior part of the hand shown to the audience, it was presented in a reverse way. For Australians, making this kind of motion an external part of the hand means the same as for the Brazilians described above the sign OK. Due to widespread outrage among others, local media[8], the president of the United States was forced to later, public apology[9]. State leaders should so always usage gestures in a thoughtful way and take into account the characteristics of the audience to which the gestures are directed[10].

According to body speech specialists, the attitude and motion of the leader should be open, without annoying or distracting manners and should not make intellectual barriers, e.g. at the hands of[11]. The open speech of the body is intended to subconsciously signal the willingness to cooperate, consent, enthusiasm and willingness to scope compromises[12]. But the naturalness and spontaneity should not be forgotten.[13], due to the fact that only specified features can decently ‘sell’ the image of politics[14]. As it is pointed out, the attitude of the leader should besides be certain, even erstwhile his individual space is breached. For example, Prime Minister John Howard, who, in 2004, faced a “aggressive” welcome by opposition leader Mark Latham, despite the likely discomfort, continued to shake hands and grin at the cameras[15]. This was alleged cover-up, widely described by well-known sociologist Erving Goffman, and consisting in masking any event in order to avoid public disclosure of an adverse impression[16].

Model leaders besides effort to stand upright but not tense. This allows them to look confident, more relaxed and more freely moving in the planet of politics.[17]. Furthermore, according to experts, an erect figure means a advanced social status, and a stature that is tarnished can associate the recipients with submission and humility. A individual with lower position bends his head more frequently and takes closed positions[18]. For example, Margaret Thatcher in her career, thanks to her work with image specialists, underwent a real metamorphosis not only in terms of appearance, but besides in terms of gestures and stature. The mutilated housewife shortly changed into an erect “Iron Lady”, with a higher class social stature[19]. Another interesting issue is head movements. According to Alfred J. Bierach, a politician, speaking publicly, should never turn his head excessively to the left or to the right in order not to present the listeners sitting in the mediate of the profile of his face. For everyone sitting in the audience should be able to see the speaker's face 3⁄4[20].

Another interesting example may be Stephen Harper's bad habit of presenting the alleged "parental disciplining finger"[21][22]. This motion involves lifting a finger pointing to the air and shaking your hand while talking, and sometimes even pointing your finger towards the audience. This is simply a motion that is frequently perceived as dominant and even aggressive[23]. This, as well as many another negative gestures, should definitely not be utilized by politicians of this rank, as this may undermine the effectiveness and credibility of these leaders[24]. However, according to Barry Gibbons, the author of the book entitled Speech. How to Be a Perfect Speaker, men usually “have no thought what to do with their hands erstwhile they talk”[25]. Nevertheless, any politician, according to the author, should avoid giving speeches from behind the speaker, as it encourages an excessive regulation of the gesticulation and obscures most of the retor body. Bill Clinton, who participated in the 1996 debate with Bob Dole, was well aware of this. Both gentlemen answered the questions of the audience. The first spoke to Dole, who, standing behind the speaker, gave a professional but rather cold answer. Bill Clinton, in turn, stepped out from behind the platform and stood right in front of the audience. Then he looked the individual who asked the question, in the eyes, and addressed it by name[26]. Thanks to this procedure, he developed a kind of emotional bond with the audience, which yet brought him a win in the debate.

Because the intent of this sub-chapter is not to describe individual elements of body speech (because there is simply a sufficiently rich literature on the marketplace on this subject[27]), and only the main guidelines for the usage of non-verbal communication by politicians, it should be stressed that leaders should always comply with mostly accepted rules in this area. Any customized behaviour of the mg is seen by observers and the media as faux paswho are not handsome to a high-level politician. As researchers say, basic cognition of non-verbal communication can importantly change how a individual is perceived by the environment. Undoubtedly, in the case of politics, this besides affects to any degree its popularity[28]. And although all politician has days or moments where he is not best placed in the eyes of observers (e.g. Bertie Ahern's motion has not been described favorably by the writer “Irish Times”[29]), the overall assessment of the leader well managing his impression will usually be affirmative (e.g. the opinion of designer Margaret King on the posture of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher[30]). Single and occasional failures seldom affect the general perception of a given leader and are usually rapidly forgiven by society.

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A fragment of the monograph entitled Model Politics Popular in Anglo-Saxon Countries was published
Author: Paweł Rogalinski
Jagiellonian University Publishing House
Number of pages: 416

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[1] A. Załazińska, The patterns of thought expressed in gestures. Metaphorical gestures depicting abstract accounts and resources of the speaking entity, Universitas Publishing House, Kraków 2001, p. 11.

[2] P. Antoniewicz, M. Trawińska, Body as a opposition Machine [in:] R. Cieślak (ed.), Body rhetoric in public discourse, Wydawnictwo Adam Marszałek, Toruń 2008, p. 209.

[3] R. Denny, Communitate is simply a fault.2nd Edition, Kogan Page, London 2006, p. 51.

[4] D. A. Graber, Verbal behaviour and Politics, University of Illinois Press, Urbana-Chicago-London 1976, p. 175.

[5] G. I. Nierenberg, H. H. Calero, Reading in a man as in an open book, Rebis Publishing House, Poznań 1999, p. 166.

[6] This proceeding will not examine whether the examples cited faux pas were part of a deliberate procedure policy, or his ignorance or error.

[7] R. Zaleski, Gestures to Be Watchful, http://www.logo24.en/Logo24/1,85831,5640489,Gesty___na_kre_nalezy_wazec.html, 11.10.2019.

[8] The president Body Speaks, https://www.nacada.ksu.edu/Resources/Clearinghouse/View-Articles/body-speaks.aspx, [date of access: 19.04.2015].

[9]George H. W. Bush Forty-First President, http://www.presidentsgraves.com/george%20bush%20forty-first%20president.htm, [date of access: 19.04.2015].

[10] P. Ekman, W. V. Frieden, Hand Movements [in:] L. K. Guerrero, J. A. DeVito, M. L. Hecht (ed.), The Nonverbal Communication Reader, Waveland Press, possible Heights 1999, pp. 48-49.

[11] N. Thompson, People skills. 3rd edition, Palgrave Macmillan, London 2009, p. 5.

[12] The president How to make people like you, Workman Publishing, fresh York 2008, p. 49.

[13] G. Rebel, Natural Body Speech, Astrum Publishing House, Wrocław 1998, p. 36.

[14] G. Ribbens, R. Thompson, Body Language in a Week, Chartered Management Institute, London 2007, p. 57.

[15] The president Confident Non-Verbal Communication, http://www.trans4mind.com/counterpoint/index-communication-relationships/uebergang1.shtml, [date of access: 19.04.2015].

[16] M. L. Patterson, More than words. Power of non-verbal communication, Gdańsk intellectual Publishing House, Sopot 2011, pp. 170-172.

[17]How to turn an average man into a politician. Political marketing, http://www.insourcepr.com/blog/how-changes-of-general-of-four-in-policy-marketing-political/, [date of access: 19.04.2015].

[18] G. R. Wainwright, Body speech. applicable introduction, 1 Press, Gliwice 2006, p. 83.

[19] L. Jones, Margaret Thatcher proved you didn’t gotta dress like a man to be powerful, http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2306029/Margaret-Thatcher-proved-didnt-dress-like-man-powerful.html, [access date: 21.04.2015].

[20] A.J. Bierach, Body speech the key to success, Astrum Publishing House, Wrocław 2001, p. 106.

[21]Body language: Stephen Harper unmasked, http://www.troymedia.com/2011/04/12/body-language-stephen-harper-unmasked/, [access date: 21.04.2015].

[22] See Harper makes first Winnipeg halt in 2011 campaign, https://www.youtube.com/embed/vBBxQfaF8Ac, [access date: 21.04.2015].

[23] D. Morris, Bodytalk. A planet Guide to Gestures, Jonathan Cape, London-Sydney-Glenfield-Bergvlei 1994, p. 87.

[24] A. Pease, Body Language. How to Read others’ thoughts by their gestures, Camel Publishing Company, London 1993, pp. 90-92.

[25] B. Gibbons, Speech. How to Be a Perfect Speaker, Rebis Publishing House, Poznań 2007, pp. 37-39.

[26]Ibid.

[27] See besides Mr Rogalinski, Managing impressed and persuasional nonverbal communication utilizing English-speaking advertising and public statements, Master's thesis, University of Lodz, typoscript, Łódź 2012.

[28] S. Cormier, La communication et la gestion, Presses de l’Université du Québec, Québec 2006, p. 20.

[29] See C. Keena, Bertie Ahern: The Man Who Blew the Boom: Power & Money, Gill & MacMillan, Dublin 2011, Chapter II.

[30] M. King [in:] I. Dale (ed.), Memories of Margaret Thatcher: A Portrait, By That Who Knew Her Best, Biteback Publishing, London 2013.