Originally aired during the week of August 12, 2008
Humans have come up with thousands of different words to describe everything under the sun. But sometimes non-verbal communication—a kiss, a shaken fist, a loud yawn—can say more about a person's mood than words. Sometimes the meaning of a particular gesture depends on the part of the world in which it is used. In Italy, for example, when a person clasps one hand around his own throat, he is probably expressing frustration. It is a gesture that means, "I've had it!" In much of South America, this same gesture indicates imprisonment, as in "hey, that could land you in jail!" In our country, athletes sometimes use this "choking" signal to express failure in an important situation, as in: "AHHH - I struck out with the bases loaded!" If you see ME reaching for MY throat, it means I'm *cough-cough* CHOKING - does anyone know the Heimlich maneuver?
You'll see communication methods galore this Friday night at 6 p.m. when award-winning musician and storyteller Odds Bodkin performs A Pocketful of Wonders at the Montshire Museum. For more information, visit www.montshire.org.
We're not always aware of it, but we communicate as much with our hands and faces as we do with our words. Some expressions are pretty much universal among humans—no translation is needed to understand their meaning. A smile is a smile no matter where you are in the world—it is taken as a sign of delight or a desire to be friends. In his book Body Talk, Desmond Morris says the smile is unique to human beings. Most facial expressions that involve pulling back the lips originated as a fear response. We've learned to alter this expression when we want to express pleasure by turning up the corners of our mouths. Even very young babies learn to beam that irresistible, toothless smile. The child learns that smiling usually elicits mom or dad to return the smile.
Speaking of smiling, your whole family will do nothing but at 6 p.m. on Friday, August 15 at the Montshire when award-winning musician and storyteller Odds Bodkin performs A Pocketful of Wonders.
Interesting word, "muse." It's the root word for music, amusement, and musings. The ancient Greeks believed that nine demigoddesses—The Muses—came to the assistance of mortals during artistic creation. Calliope—whose name later came to denote a portable music machine—was in her time the Muse of Eloquence. So, like Homer, who does it on page one of The Odyssey, go ahead and invoke your muse. All storytellers do it in one way or another. It helps get them going.
Are you interested in discovering the secrets of storytelling? Learn from award-winning musician and storyteller Odds Bodkin in a workshop for adults at the Montshire Museum on Saturday, August 16. For more information, visit www.montshire.org.
So, once upon a time a Queen stood on her balcony by a deep lake and threw something in. When I make that picture in my mind, I hear something. How about you?
It took thousands of years for humans to develop the art of spoken communication. We began to use written language only about 7000 years ago. Since then, we've developed all kinds of technologies to transmit complex messages. But in some situations, hand signals are still the clearest, quickest way to communicate. The third base coach at a baseball game is making gestures to the batter that might indicate "bunt!" or "hit away!" When he waves a baserunner around third, he whirls his arm like a windmill. Sometimes words get in the way. Hall of famer Luis Aparicio is said to have held at third base instead of running home in a critical game because he thought the coach was yelling "No, No!" when he was really saying "Go, Go!"
Go, go yourself to an amazing performance this Friday at 6 p.m. at the Montshire Museum. Award-winning musician and storyteller Odds Bodkin will perform A Pocketful of Wonders. For more information, visit www.montshire.org.
It is said that the eyes are the windows to the soul. We can tell a lot about a people's moods by information expressed through their eyes. The pupils of our eyes get smaller in bright light, and dilate when the light is dim. But our pupils disobey this rule when we see something we like so much that we become emotionally aroused. For instance, our pupils dilate when we gaze into the eyes of a loved one—ah amore!—or if we look at something else that's precious to us. Jade dealers wear dark glasses so as not to give away their unconscious reaction if they really like a piece.
No glasses required at the Odds Bodkin performance tonight at 6 p.m. Show your delight to all the world as you enjoy music, stories, and parables from around the world. Call 802-649-2200 for tickets and more information.
