Embodied discourse: cross-linguistic and developmental perspectives on the expression of pragmatic meanings

Pragmatic meanings, such as the emphasis of relevant topics or the marking of transitions between information, can be conveyed not only in speech, but also in manual gestures. Yet, very little is actually known about the interplay between speech and gesture in this regard. This project examines how gestures contribute to pragmatic meanings in discourse. In particular, it will examine how pragmatic gestures are influenced by 1) the type of discourse delivered (narratives vs. instructions); 2) cross-linguistic differences (Swedish vs. Italian); and 3) how the use of these gestures develop from childhood to adolescence.