| Abstract | In addition to the spoken word humans use other means of communication, such as voice quality and tone, proximity to the listener, pauses, physical appearance, and body motion. The study of body motion – kinesics is an important part of nonverbal communication. Since nonverbal communication is largely subconscious, it is also more sincere than the verbal one which is under conscious control of the speaker. While translators rely solely on verbal information to transcode meaning into the target language, interpreters use a wider variety of information coming from the speaker. Although meaning produced via body motion is not isolated and relies on context, simultaneous and consecutive interpreters can use knowledge of kinesics to improve their skills. In simultaneous, interpreters cannot use their own kinesic behavior to produce meaning but the way they position their body influences their physiology, mood, attitude, and stress levels. Additionally, they use verbal and paralinguistic means to interpreter extra-linguistic elements used by the speaker. In consecutive, interpreters actively produce meaning with their own kinesic statements, making an immediate impression on the listeners. As public speakers, they signal personal confidence and mood via facial expressions, eye-contact, arm movement, posture, and gesturing. However, more research is needed to confirm the link between knowledge of kinesics and quality of the interpretation itself. |
