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Practice exercises to learn Russian body language visualisation

Practice exercises to learn Russian body language

Express Yourself: The Role of Body Language in Russian Communication: Practice exercises to learn Russian body language
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Here are some practice exercises to learn Russian body language, including common gestures and their meanings:

  1. The Flick on the Neck
  • How to do it: Bend your neck to the side a little and flick it with your fingers.
  • Meaning: It means “to drink” or “to be drunk.” Use it to suggest going for a drink or that someone is drunk. Practice: Use this gesture when saying or imagining phrases like “Let’s go for a drink” or “He is already drunk.”
  1. Crazy Person Gesture
  • How to do it: Twist your finger near your temple several times.
  • Meaning: It indicates someone is crazy or not mentally well. Practice: Use it with phrases like “Are you crazy?” or “He has gone completely crazy.”
  1. Russian Shrug
  • How to do it: Spread your hands sideways with palms up and shrug.
  • Meaning: It shows you don’t understand or know something, with emotion. Practice: Use this when you want to express confusion or lack of knowledge emphatically.
  1. Confused Head Scratch
  • How to do it: Loop your arm over your head and scratch the other side.
  • Meaning: It shows confusion, giving you more time to think. Practice: Use this gesture when puzzling over something.
  1. “Now I Get It!” Gesture
  • How to do it: Slap your forehead with an open palm.
  • Meaning: It expresses sudden understanding. Practice: Use this gesture when something finally makes sense.
  1. Counting with Fingers in Russian Style
  • Russians count starting with an open palm and bending fingers starting either from the little finger or thumb. Practice:
  • Learn numbers 1 (Один) to 5 (Пять).
  • Practice showing numbers by bending fingers.
  1. Other Common Gestures:
  • The dismissive hand wave: a quick wave meaning “no” or “leave it.”
  • Crossing over the chest: can mean “Thank God” or “That was close.”
  • Nose tap or flick: indicates secrecy or “I know something you don’t.”
  • Palm shake (palm down, rotated side to side): means “so-so” or “not great.”
  • Raised eyebrows and head tilt: means “Yes,” “I understand,” or “Go on.”
  • Shoulder shrug with palms up and head tilt: shows uncertainty.
  • Sign of the horns: a protective gesture warding off bad luck.

These exercises involve practicing the gestures themselves while associating them with their meanings and relevant phrases in conversation, to help internalize Russian nonverbal communication norms. 1, 2, 3

Would a step-by-step guided exercise plan for practicing these gestures be helpful?

References

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