Whether the bushmen could or couldn't speak physically to communicate, they
certainly had to use the hands frequently as to keep noise to a minimum
while sneaking up on prey.
Alan
--
Windsurfing Club: http://www.ibscc.org
"Rushtown" <Rush...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1112120981.1...@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> Brain expansion in hominids did not start until full upright walking
> was established.
> This means that as our hominid ancestors scavanged the plains of Africa
> for meat they could not communicate by talking. They had hands free
> for cutting meat and sharing it. These tasks were made easier by free
> hands. Therefore free hands were available for communication by
> gesturing.
> The remnants of these gestures can be seen today. The message that,
> "I'm sharing this meat with you." was done with palms up and hands
> outstretched. This gesture is used today when the speaker is
> indicating that what is being said is expected to be readily accepted.
> (ie, it's obvious)
Hmmmmmm..... Obvious? One could also argue that the gesture comes
from the middle ages salute among knights (raise the helmet eyepiece
both to get a better view and also to show the other knight that one
does not have a weapon in hand.)
> The message, "There's a wounded Buffalo" or "That calf's mother is
> behind the bushes." was done by frantic pointing. This gesture is used
> today to say, "You don't yet understand what I am saying but I am
> really really sure of it, and want you to agree." (Think of a chopping
> pointing gesture with the hand.)
> The message, "You should do this after this." ie, indicating a sequence
> or process is done just by waving or twirling the hands while talking.
>
Rambling.
Later.
Pepe le Pew aka Pat Sullivan
--
PT Barnum was right !