Sample Summary
Original: "Hand gestures, like other forms of nonverbal communication, can change the meaning of our words as well carry meanings totally by themselves. Unless we understand the meanings attached to certain hand gestures in different cultures, we are likely to send and receive unintended messages when dealing with people from other cultures. When two ordinary citizens from two different cultures miscommunicate through hand gestures, the result can be embarrassment or hard feelings" (Ferraro, 2001).
Summary: Body language can convey meaning alone and can alter the meaning of spoken words. If people from different cultures attempt to communicate without comprehending each other's hand gestures, they are apt to misunderstand, leading to uneasiness or ill will (Ferraro, 2001).
Ferraro, Gary. Cultural Anthropology: An Applied Perspective, Fourth Edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Thomson Learning, Inc. 2001.