Hi Ahmed,

first of all the term 'body language' is only used in the popular literature or in discussions amongst lay persons. The problem is that for linguists a language is a system of a limited number of basic signs and rules that can be used to say anything you can think of. In a real language like English or ASL you can say for example, 'I like to discuss problems of applied semiotics and have only little time for that, ' but such utterances are impossible with the so-called body languge. Therefore the more official, even though still misleading term is 'nonverbal communication'. It is misleading because real communication requires an intention of the sender and some beliefs on both ends. My current writing is communication because

a) I intend to deliver a message which contains something I want you to believe or I want you to do

b) I believe that you understand that a) is the case and

c) you actually understand that a) is the case.

Everything else is not comminication proper and should be given other names. If you are for example not aware of my intentions then it is manipulation rather than communication.

In nonverbal 'communication' a) and b) are hardly ever true, so that a semiotician would call it (nonverbal) signification.

As for related theories you may want to use a seminal paper by Ekman and Friesen from 1969 as a starting point that is titled 'The repertoire of nonverbal behavior'. There exist slightly different accounts on the matter from that period and also more modern ones, but I highly recommed to digest that paper first.

Good luck

Detlef

Hello,

Semiotic deals with (or study) the sign, while anything can be treated as a sign if it convey any message from the sender to receiver or to the interpreter (for example, a stop sign convey a message of stopping the car to the interpreter). If the body language use for conveying any message from to others, then you may consider the semiotics theory (theory of sing) in exploring the body language.

Regards