Sign language is sometimes called universal, understandable to a person of any nationality, in contrast to the verbal language. It is in sign language that people try to explain themselves, overcoming the language barrier. But this view is only partly true. The same gestures can have different meanings for representatives of different peoples.
From the point of view of a Russian person, a gesture in the form of a raised middle finger is offensive and even obscene. The subtext is clear: the finger symbolizes the male reproductive organ.
In this sense, this gesture existed in ancient Rome. True, he was not offensive there. Demonstrating it, the man hinted to others about his good health. But representatives of other peoples put a completely different meaning in it.
In modern English and American culture, this gesture also has a phallic meaning. One of Liverpool's footballers was even temporarily disqualified for his demonstration. However, some linguists believe that the raised middle finger gesture has already lost this meaning, having established itself as an expression of hatred and protest. Thus, the gesture can be considered offensive, but obscene is no longer possible.
Other values
In some countries, this gesture will not offend anyone, since it does not carry any negative meaning. The Germans, raising their thumb, mean that they are happy with everything, everything is fine - in a word, they express approval.
In many Slavic countries, with the help of a raised middle finger, they attract the attention of those present. Even in the United States, gesture has a second meaning, quite decent. With this gesture, schoolchildren in the classroom inform the teacher about their desire to answer the question.
Among Muslim peoples, this gesture is of a religious nature. “There is no God but Allah” - this is its meaning.
Other finger gestures
A raised middle finger is not the only example of how the meaning of a gesture can vary from people to people.
The raised thumb gesture in Russian culture expresses approval, and in the West it is a call to stop, addressed to the driver of a passing car. But in Greece, the meaning differs from both Russian and Western: the Greeks with such a gesture make a person understand that he has overeat. In Spain, this is already a political gesture expressing support for the separatist movement.
Not long ago, Russians adopted the American thumb-and-forefinger ring gesture for OK. But you should not use such a gesture in Tunisia or France: in the first case, it will be perceived as a threat, and in the second, as a desire to tell the interlocutor that he is “complete zero”. The Japanese ask for money in this way, the Brazilians declare their sexual desire, and the Greeks and Turks hint at the non-traditional sexual orientation of the interlocutor.
Going to another country, you need to learn not only its verbal language, but also sign language. Otherwise, you can get into a very awkward position.
