ENGLISH VERSION : CLICK ON ADJACENT " ARCHIVES DU BLOG 2016 MAI AND AVRIL "
FRENCH VERSION : CLICK ON ADJACENT " ARCHIVES DU BLOG 2012 "
ILLUSTRATIONS : CLICK ON ADJACENT " ARCHIVES DU BLOG 2010 "
ANDREA DE JORIO ( 1769 - 1851 ) , Neapolitan canon and curator of the Museo Real Borbonico , was an archeologist .
He wanted to understand the meaning behind the gestures of the various painted , carved , engraved and sculpted figures from antiquity .
In his book " La Mimica degli Antichi investigata nel Gestire Napoletano" ( 1832 ) he describes a structured line of reasoning , supporting argument that were erudite , novel , even daring in archeologie :if all the gestures described by classical authors are identical to contemporary ( circa 1830 ) Neapolitan gestures , then all other contemporary gestures must also date from antiquity and thus be interpretable and translatable .
ADAM KENDON renders this idea explicit in the title of his translation and exegesis " Gesture in Naples and Gesture in Classical Antiquity" ( Indiana University Press - 2000 ) .
The same reasoning can be applied to The Art of Italian Gesture .
The arc cast over the 1700 years between ancient Rome and La Mimica and prolonged by that cast over the 150 years between La Mimica and the Sketchbook 1974 - 1978 , proves the perenniality of Chironomia Romana : we find 111 references to La Mimica in 245 gestures ( excepting Section F ) .
It is therfore plausible that this Corpus reproduces the Actio ( action in the Quintilian sense ) of a Roman epoch in which , Cicero dixit , each word was practcally doubled by a gesture .
One might fear the progressive disappearence of this antique cultural patrimony that was sown on the shores of the Mare Nostrum , exported by the various diasporas , misunderstood by foreigners , mocked by ignorants , ignored by Latin scholars , latinizing perinde ac cadaver and forgotten or even denied by its successors .
Today the Anglo - Saxon nescire gestum dominantes the Latin non nescire : ubi major , minor cessat .
Yet gestures havelong been publically recognized : it was , after all , in London in the 18th century that one used the most gestures and , in the 19th century , to Kronprinz Friedrich Wilhelm that Andrea De Jorio dedicated La Mimica .
This preamble does not pertain to the signs in Section F Mafia .
Quintilian Chironomy and Sicilian mafia body language are distinct :
- the former involves the hands and the arms ; the latter have to do with body language and clothing .
- the former is public and accessible to everyone ; the latter are specific to each Cosca ( peach , fruits and vegetables , etc ) and indiscernable by third parties because they are naturally integrated into everyday gestures and movement .
- the former links gesture and spoken word ; the latter are silent , encoded messages transmitted from distance .
- the former can be counted , listed ; the latter are difficult to codify , as much due to the diversity of the many Cosche as to the Omerta . As one Picciotto said " to be able to talk about the mafia , one must be in the mafia and when one is inthe mafia , it is impossible to talk about it " .
8 mai 2016
SKETCHBOOK 1974 - 1978
ENGLISH VERSION ABRIDGED : CLICK ON ADJACENT " ARCHIVES DU BLOG 2016 MAI AND AVRIL"
FRENCH VERSION WITH ILLUSTRATIONS : CLICK ON ADJACENT " ARCHIVES DU BLOG 2012 AND 2010"
ENGLISH VERSION ABRIDGED
Blue : Italian expressions and literal translations
Red : meanings
FRENCH VERSION COMPLETE
Illustrations
Black : succint descriptions of the gestures
Blue : Italian expressions and literal translations
Red : meanings
Green : references to Andrea De Jorio's " La Mimica "
Violet : cinematographic illustrations
A Who is he / she ? 45 gestures , 106 meanings , 15 references to De Jorio
B Relationship 34 70 17
C Moods 26 52 13
D Clash ! 61 118 41
E Agreement 79 197 25
F Mafia 25 36
FRENCH VERSION WITH ILLUSTRATIONS : CLICK ON ADJACENT " ARCHIVES DU BLOG 2012 AND 2010"
ENGLISH VERSION ABRIDGED
Blue : Italian expressions and literal translations
Red : meanings
FRENCH VERSION COMPLETE
Illustrations
Black : succint descriptions of the gestures
Blue : Italian expressions and literal translations
Red : meanings
Green : references to Andrea De Jorio's " La Mimica "
Violet : cinematographic illustrations
A Who is he / she ? 45 gestures , 106 meanings , 15 references to De Jorio
B Relationship 34 70 17
C Moods 26 52 13
D Clash ! 61 118 41
E Agreement 79 197 25
F Mafia 25 36
A WHO IS HE ? WHO IS SHE ?
ILLUSTRATIONS : CLICK ON ADJACENT " ARCHIVES DU BLOG 2010"
A1
A He is crafty , clever , shrewd
E' un furbo = he's a smart one / he's smart
B beautiful , pretty ( in all accepted senses )
C good ( tasty )
A2
E' un dritto = he's a shrewd one
A he is clever , astute
B he's not afraid
C he drives a hard bargain / he's a tough negotiator
D that's someone who knows what he's doing / knows how to handle himself
A3
E' uno con i baffi = that's a man with whiskers / a beard
Same meanings as gesture A2
A4
Ha un culo cosi = he has an ass like this
He is really lucky / what a lucky guy / what luck !
A5
Ha un fegato cosi = he's got a liver like this
He is brave / he's a brave man / he's got courage ( he's got balls )
A6
Ne ha due cosi = he's got two like this ( he's got balls )
He is courageous
A7
Ha un paio di baffi cosi = he has a set of whiskers / a mustache like this
He is very capable
A8
Uno che pensa = someone who is thinking
A a thoughtful , intelligent person with lots of ( good ) ideas
B eureka !
C I remember
D have all his / her marbles , have a good head on his / her shoulders
E to elaborate
F unaware , brainless , idiotic , crasy ( see gesture A36 )
A9
1 a livello , di classe
Person , attitude , or object of great value , quality , or beauty
2 il tocco finale = the final touch
The finishing touch
2 Repeated finger snapping
Have that " special something"
A10
A fineness / subtlety of a sentiment or an object
B intuition , sensation
C to have that little " something "
D to have it on the tip of the tongue
E a fine difference / separation ( in quality , time , etc )
A11
1 E' una persona o una cosa pulita , di qualita = he / she is an spotless / clean individual , someone of quality
A the person , thing , or situation is honest , pure , of value
B everything is perfectly clear ; nothing needs to be repeated ; everything is OK
2 E' una cosa liscia = it's a smooth object / thing
A there is nothing wrong , no problems , no difficulties , nothing in the way , no obstacles
B everything is going smoothly
A12
An honest , straight , exact , precise , just , accomplished / successfull , perfect person , situation , or affair
A13
Bella ragazza = beautiful girl
A pretty girl , pretty woman
B symbol of feminism / feminists
A14
same meanings as A13A
A15
Tanto di cappello ! = well done !
A I recognize unquestionably the value of the person or the action
B I tip my hat to you
C Hats off to you !
A16
A admiration , congratulations , recognition
Bravo , brava , bravi = he , she they are good , impressive , etc
Bravissimo , bravissima , bravissimi = he , she , they are excellent , extraordinary , incredible , etc
B idem , more personal
Complimenti ! = my compliments !
C respect , consideration , esteem
D sarcasm : good job / smooth move
E to claque for
A17
Sexual impotence
A18
E' un finocchio = he's a fag / faggot , a fairy , etc
He's a homosexual
A19
1 Fare la faccia lunga = have a long face
A disappointed
B disillusioned
C sad
2 E' una faccia di bronzo = he has a face of bronze
He has nerve , gall , aplomb
3 Fare il muso ( = to pout / muzzle )
To pout , to sulk
4 Fare il musone ( = unlikeable / not very social or friendly person )
To pout , to grumble , to gripe
A20
Fare il muso , fare il musone
Same as A19 3 and 4
A21
E' un baffone = he has a big mustache
He scoffs at ( it ) , he has no interest in it
A22
Ha un pelo sullo stomaco = he has a hair on his stomach
He is unscrupulous
A23
Ha un doppio pelo sullo stomaco = he has a double hair on his stomach
He has absolutely no scruples , he doesn't have a moral / scrupulous bone in him
A24
A He is venal , corrupt
E' uno che mangia = he is one who eats
B To eat well , a lot
It's good
A25
E' uno che mangia = he's one who eats
He is venal , corrupt
A26
A beware of thieves
B He / she is a thief
A27
1 E' uno che mangia = he's one who eats
He is venal , corrupt
2 E' un chiaccherone = he talks a lot / he's a real talker
A He talks a lot , too much
B this talk / speech is boring / uninteresting
A28
E' un chiaccherone = he talks a lot / he's a real talker
A He talks a lot , too much
B There is a difference between what he says and what he does
A29
1 Occhio ! = Watch out ! / Look out ! / Watch it ! / Watch ! / Look !
A To look , to pay attention , to be attentive or prepared , etc
B Be careful / pay attention / watch out / there's something shady going on
C I'm not a fool / I'm not such an easy mark
D Who do you think you're fooling ? What do you think ( sarcastic ) ?
2 E' un imbroglione = he's wily / crafty
A crafty / a trickster / a bluffer
B cheater
C swindler / con artist / thief
A30
Dare sul naso = to tap the nose
A be wary of someone or something
B of doubtful morality or quality
C shady / suspect person or situation
A31
1 The fist or fists ( or the palm of the hand ) strike the forehead
1 E' testardo
He is stubborn
E' duro = he is hard ( a hard sell )
He is difficult to convince
2 The fist strikes a hard surface ( table , wall , etc )
Ha la testa cosi = he has a head like this
Ha la testa dura = he has a hard head
He is stubborn , obstinate , narrow - minded
A32
Ha una cannetta di vetro = he has a fine / thin glass cane
A He is lazy
B He is apathetic / sluggish
A33
1 E' fesso = he's an idiot
A He's stupid , an imbecile
B That's idiotic , that's stupid
2 Non sono mica fesso = I'm not an idiot
A I'm not an idiot , I'm not stupid
B Don't take us for imbeciles !
A34
Scemo = idiot
A You're an idiot , stupid , imbecile
B That's stupid , idiotic
C I hope you're kidding / joking
D Do you realize what you're saying ?
A35
1 Scemo = idiot
A He's an idiot
B That's idiotic
2 Pazzo = crazy
A He'scrazy
B That's crazy
A36
E'pazzo = he's crazy
A He's crazy , reckless
B That's crazy / foolish / reckless
A37
Cosa ti scatta in mente ? = What are you thinking ? What's going on in your head ?
A What's gotten into you ? Where's your head ?
B Do you realize what you're saying ?
C You're crazy ! I must be crazy !
A38
Ha la puzza sotto il naso = He has the stink under his nose
A He is a snob
B He is pretentious
A39
Fa il bauscia = He's a braggart
He's a show-off
A1
A He is crafty , clever , shrewd
E' un furbo = he's a smart one / he's smart
B beautiful , pretty ( in all accepted senses )
C good ( tasty )
A2
E' un dritto = he's a shrewd one
A he is clever , astute
B he's not afraid
C he drives a hard bargain / he's a tough negotiator
D that's someone who knows what he's doing / knows how to handle himself
A3
E' uno con i baffi = that's a man with whiskers / a beard
Same meanings as gesture A2
A4
Ha un culo cosi = he has an ass like this
He is really lucky / what a lucky guy / what luck !
A5
Ha un fegato cosi = he's got a liver like this
He is brave / he's a brave man / he's got courage ( he's got balls )
A6
Ne ha due cosi = he's got two like this ( he's got balls )
He is courageous
A7
Ha un paio di baffi cosi = he has a set of whiskers / a mustache like this
He is very capable
A8
Uno che pensa = someone who is thinking
A a thoughtful , intelligent person with lots of ( good ) ideas
B eureka !
C I remember
D have all his / her marbles , have a good head on his / her shoulders
E to elaborate
F unaware , brainless , idiotic , crasy ( see gesture A36 )
A9
1 a livello , di classe
Person , attitude , or object of great value , quality , or beauty
2 il tocco finale = the final touch
The finishing touch
2 Repeated finger snapping
Have that " special something"
A10
A fineness / subtlety of a sentiment or an object
B intuition , sensation
C to have that little " something "
D to have it on the tip of the tongue
E a fine difference / separation ( in quality , time , etc )
A11
1 E' una persona o una cosa pulita , di qualita = he / she is an spotless / clean individual , someone of quality
A the person , thing , or situation is honest , pure , of value
B everything is perfectly clear ; nothing needs to be repeated ; everything is OK
2 E' una cosa liscia = it's a smooth object / thing
A there is nothing wrong , no problems , no difficulties , nothing in the way , no obstacles
B everything is going smoothly
A12
An honest , straight , exact , precise , just , accomplished / successfull , perfect person , situation , or affair
A13
Bella ragazza = beautiful girl
A pretty girl , pretty woman
B symbol of feminism / feminists
A14
same meanings as A13A
A15
Tanto di cappello ! = well done !
A I recognize unquestionably the value of the person or the action
B I tip my hat to you
C Hats off to you !
A16
A admiration , congratulations , recognition
Bravo , brava , bravi = he , she they are good , impressive , etc
Bravissimo , bravissima , bravissimi = he , she , they are excellent , extraordinary , incredible , etc
B idem , more personal
Complimenti ! = my compliments !
C respect , consideration , esteem
D sarcasm : good job / smooth move
E to claque for
A17
Sexual impotence
A18
E' un finocchio = he's a fag / faggot , a fairy , etc
He's a homosexual
A19
1 Fare la faccia lunga = have a long face
A disappointed
B disillusioned
C sad
2 E' una faccia di bronzo = he has a face of bronze
He has nerve , gall , aplomb
3 Fare il muso ( = to pout / muzzle )
To pout , to sulk
4 Fare il musone ( = unlikeable / not very social or friendly person )
To pout , to grumble , to gripe
A20
Fare il muso , fare il musone
Same as A19 3 and 4
A21
E' un baffone = he has a big mustache
He scoffs at ( it ) , he has no interest in it
A22
Ha un pelo sullo stomaco = he has a hair on his stomach
He is unscrupulous
A23
Ha un doppio pelo sullo stomaco = he has a double hair on his stomach
He has absolutely no scruples , he doesn't have a moral / scrupulous bone in him
A24
A He is venal , corrupt
E' uno che mangia = he is one who eats
B To eat well , a lot
It's good
A25
E' uno che mangia = he's one who eats
He is venal , corrupt
A26
A beware of thieves
B He / she is a thief
A27
1 E' uno che mangia = he's one who eats
He is venal , corrupt
2 E' un chiaccherone = he talks a lot / he's a real talker
A He talks a lot , too much
B this talk / speech is boring / uninteresting
A28
E' un chiaccherone = he talks a lot / he's a real talker
A He talks a lot , too much
B There is a difference between what he says and what he does
A29
1 Occhio ! = Watch out ! / Look out ! / Watch it ! / Watch ! / Look !
A To look , to pay attention , to be attentive or prepared , etc
B Be careful / pay attention / watch out / there's something shady going on
C I'm not a fool / I'm not such an easy mark
D Who do you think you're fooling ? What do you think ( sarcastic ) ?
2 E' un imbroglione = he's wily / crafty
A crafty / a trickster / a bluffer
B cheater
C swindler / con artist / thief
A30
Dare sul naso = to tap the nose
A be wary of someone or something
B of doubtful morality or quality
C shady / suspect person or situation
A31
1 The fist or fists ( or the palm of the hand ) strike the forehead
1 E' testardo
He is stubborn
E' duro = he is hard ( a hard sell )
He is difficult to convince
2 The fist strikes a hard surface ( table , wall , etc )
Ha la testa cosi = he has a head like this
Ha la testa dura = he has a hard head
He is stubborn , obstinate , narrow - minded
A32
Ha una cannetta di vetro = he has a fine / thin glass cane
A He is lazy
B He is apathetic / sluggish
A33
1 E' fesso = he's an idiot
A He's stupid , an imbecile
B That's idiotic , that's stupid
2 Non sono mica fesso = I'm not an idiot
A I'm not an idiot , I'm not stupid
B Don't take us for imbeciles !
A34
Scemo = idiot
A You're an idiot , stupid , imbecile
B That's stupid , idiotic
C I hope you're kidding / joking
D Do you realize what you're saying ?
A35
1 Scemo = idiot
A He's an idiot
B That's idiotic
2 Pazzo = crazy
A He'scrazy
B That's crazy
A36
E'pazzo = he's crazy
A He's crazy , reckless
B That's crazy / foolish / reckless
A37
Cosa ti scatta in mente ? = What are you thinking ? What's going on in your head ?
A What's gotten into you ? Where's your head ?
B Do you realize what you're saying ?
C You're crazy ! I must be crazy !
A38
Ha la puzza sotto il naso = He has the stink under his nose
A He is a snob
B He is pretentious
A39
Fa il bauscia = He's a braggart
He's a show-off
B RELATIONSHIP
ILLUSTRATIONS : CLICK ON ADJACENT " ARCHIVES DU BLOG 2010 "
B1
Ciao ! = hi !
A gesture reserved for friends , family , and other loved ones , meaning :
Hi , hello
See you later , ( good ) bye , farewell
Ciao ! ciao !
Idem , but more personal , more affectionate
B2
1 Saluti = greetings / salutations
A gesture reserved for friends , family , and other loved ones ( with others , it is condescending )
2 Tanti saluti a casa ! = many salutations / greetings to the house !
Sarcastic or insulting : " My best to you all ! " , " Good riddance ! " , " Fascinating , Do continue "
B3
A Gesture reserved for friends , family , and other loved ones : hi , hello , goodbye
Salve ! = hi !
B Excuse me / pardon me / sorry
C Don't move ! stop! don't go any further !
B4
respect , courtesy , playful banter , affection , love , etc
Baciamo le mani = we kiss your hands
A sign of respect
B sign of submission
See the section F mafia F23
B5
A to be linked , to be in league
B to be very close , lovers
C to be in step , to keep pace , to go vtogether , to go hand in hand
Andare di pari passo = to with the same step
B6
1
2
3
The same meanings as B5 with very close connections
4 the ring fingers of each hand hook each other
Strong relationships of a more intimate , personal , secret nature
5 all the fingers of one hand hook those of the other hand
Unbreakable bond
B7
A they are associated , in cahoots
B they are married , in love , lovers
C a beautiful couple !
B8
Fare l'incrocio = to cross , to combine
A to crossbreed animals , to mix genii
B to combine or associate two things
C to entwine / interwine
D a relationship based on shared interests
B9
A all of us , all of you
B together
C a change of situation
B10
A you and me , you and him / her , him / her and another / the other one
B one on one
B11
una sviolinata = one who fawns
to put on the charm , to cajole , to wheedle , to coax
B12
to make love , to fuck
B13
A antagonism
B incompatibility
C enmity
B14
Andare a braccetto = to go arm in arm
Indicates as much to the person whose arm one takes as to others that the relationship is friendly , personal , private
B15
Between two close people ( friends , family , etc ) : happy birthday !
B16
sarcastic and familiar
A congratulations !
B You should be proud !
C you don't deny yourself anything , do you ?
B17
1
A to be hungry
B to go get something to eat
C to eat
2
to be hard to digest
B18
to eat
B19
A to eat ( literal )
B to eat ( figurative ) : to steal , to spend , to take everything ( he cleaned me out ) , etc
B20
A to sleep
B I'm going to take a nap
vado a fare un pisolino = I'm going to take a little nap
B21
A to write
B to sign
C to read
D to ask for the check / bill at a restaurant or a hotel
B22
A to come , to approach
B to leave , to move further away
B23
A everything pertaining to time :
" What time is it ? " , " It's time ! " , " How much time is left ? " , " How much time do you need ? " , etc
I have an appointment
I'm in a hurry
punctuality
B everything related to watches :
to have a watch , to not have a watch , to have forgotten one's watch , etc
" My watch has stopped / is broken / is new / etc "
B24
A to telephone / call : Call me , I'll call / I'll call you , He'll call me ,
B Pick up the receiver
C To record the conversation
D One's action , decision , etc , is " telegraphed " ( = obvious , predictable , etc )
B25
A it's raining , it's going to rain
B take an umbrella , do you have an umbrella ?
C in both literal and figurative senses : it's really going to ^pour ! what should we bring wjth us ?
B26
1
A Two , double
B At school : may I go to the lavatory ?
2
Smoking : Can we smoke ? Is smoking allowed / forbidden ? Do you have / want a cigarette ?
3
To cut , to interrupt
B1
Ciao ! = hi !
A gesture reserved for friends , family , and other loved ones , meaning :
Hi , hello
See you later , ( good ) bye , farewell
Ciao ! ciao !
Idem , but more personal , more affectionate
B2
1 Saluti = greetings / salutations
A gesture reserved for friends , family , and other loved ones ( with others , it is condescending )
2 Tanti saluti a casa ! = many salutations / greetings to the house !
Sarcastic or insulting : " My best to you all ! " , " Good riddance ! " , " Fascinating , Do continue "
B3
A Gesture reserved for friends , family , and other loved ones : hi , hello , goodbye
Salve ! = hi !
B Excuse me / pardon me / sorry
C Don't move ! stop! don't go any further !
B4
respect , courtesy , playful banter , affection , love , etc
Baciamo le mani = we kiss your hands
A sign of respect
B sign of submission
See the section F mafia F23
B5
A to be linked , to be in league
B to be very close , lovers
C to be in step , to keep pace , to go vtogether , to go hand in hand
Andare di pari passo = to with the same step
B6
1
2
3
The same meanings as B5 with very close connections
4 the ring fingers of each hand hook each other
Strong relationships of a more intimate , personal , secret nature
5 all the fingers of one hand hook those of the other hand
Unbreakable bond
B7
A they are associated , in cahoots
B they are married , in love , lovers
C a beautiful couple !
B8
Fare l'incrocio = to cross , to combine
A to crossbreed animals , to mix genii
B to combine or associate two things
C to entwine / interwine
D a relationship based on shared interests
B9
A all of us , all of you
B together
C a change of situation
B10
A you and me , you and him / her , him / her and another / the other one
B one on one
B11
una sviolinata = one who fawns
to put on the charm , to cajole , to wheedle , to coax
B12
to make love , to fuck
B13
A antagonism
B incompatibility
C enmity
B14
Andare a braccetto = to go arm in arm
Indicates as much to the person whose arm one takes as to others that the relationship is friendly , personal , private
B15
Between two close people ( friends , family , etc ) : happy birthday !
B16
sarcastic and familiar
A congratulations !
B You should be proud !
C you don't deny yourself anything , do you ?
B17
1
A to be hungry
B to go get something to eat
C to eat
2
to be hard to digest
B18
to eat
B19
A to eat ( literal )
B to eat ( figurative ) : to steal , to spend , to take everything ( he cleaned me out ) , etc
B20
A to sleep
B I'm going to take a nap
vado a fare un pisolino = I'm going to take a little nap
B21
A to write
B to sign
C to read
D to ask for the check / bill at a restaurant or a hotel
B22
A to come , to approach
B to leave , to move further away
B23
A everything pertaining to time :
" What time is it ? " , " It's time ! " , " How much time is left ? " , " How much time do you need ? " , etc
I have an appointment
I'm in a hurry
punctuality
B everything related to watches :
to have a watch , to not have a watch , to have forgotten one's watch , etc
" My watch has stopped / is broken / is new / etc "
B24
A to telephone / call : Call me , I'll call / I'll call you , He'll call me ,
B Pick up the receiver
C To record the conversation
D One's action , decision , etc , is " telegraphed " ( = obvious , predictable , etc )
B25
A it's raining , it's going to rain
B take an umbrella , do you have an umbrella ?
C in both literal and figurative senses : it's really going to ^pour ! what should we bring wjth us ?
B26
1
A Two , double
B At school : may I go to the lavatory ?
2
Smoking : Can we smoke ? Is smoking allowed / forbidden ? Do you have / want a cigarette ?
3
To cut , to interrupt
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