Nonverbal communication: Toward syntax,by way of semantics

The identification of syntactical rules that govern nonverbal communication in humans and the determination of its semantic rules has often been viewed by researchers as two separate issues. In the present paper we depart from this traditional approach by studying the relationship among various nonverbal channels through their meaning. We propose that the functions which relate behavior to meaning are undulatory, and each is characterized by a different number of bending points. Supportive results of preliminary empirical testing are reported. Implications for cross-cultural research, development and psychopathology are discussed.The authors thank Sandra Tunis for her suggestions and Clara Mayo for her comments, as well as anonymous reviewers of this journal.