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Recurrent Gestures, Embodiment and Sedimentation: The Case of Two-Handed-Alternation-Sagittal (2HAS) Gesture in Japanese and Swedish

Kuryu, Daiya LU (2025) SPVR01 20251
Master's Programme: Language and Linguistics
Cognitive Semiotics
Abstract
This thesis investigates the semiotic foundations of recurrent gestures through a cross-cultural study of the Two-Handed-Alternation-Sagittal (2HAS) gesture in Japanese and Swedish. Drawing on the Motivation & Sedimentation Model (MSM)––a cognitive-semiotic model of meaning-making––the study explores how recurrent gestures emerge from the dynamic interplay between embodiment and sedimentation. Accordingly, the thesis describes an empirical study aiming to what extent recurrent gestures, situated between spontaneous gesticulation and conventionalized emblems, are shaped both by shared bodily experiences and by historically sedimented social practices. The 2HAS gesture, characterized by alternating hand movements along the sagittal axis, was... (More)
This thesis investigates the semiotic foundations of recurrent gestures through a cross-cultural study of the Two-Handed-Alternation-Sagittal (2HAS) gesture in Japanese and Swedish. Drawing on the Motivation & Sedimentation Model (MSM)––a cognitive-semiotic model of meaning-making––the study explores how recurrent gestures emerge from the dynamic interplay between embodiment and sedimentation. Accordingly, the thesis describes an empirical study aiming to what extent recurrent gestures, situated between spontaneous gesticulation and conventionalized emblems, are shaped both by shared bodily experiences and by historically sedimented social practices. The 2HAS gesture, characterized by alternating hand movements along the sagittal axis, was analyzed for its meaning variations and distribution using phenomenological triangulation: combining first-person conceptual reflection, second-person intersubjective methods, and third-person quantitative analysis. Through an examination of semi-spontaneous conversations in two groups of participants, Japanese and Swedish, the study reveals both commonalities and differences in the use and meaning of 2HAS across these cultural groups. The gesture frequently expressed delineated meanings like BIDIRECTIONALITY and GIVE & RECEIVE, as well as holistic meanings like UNCERTAINTY, OPTIONALITY and WORD SEARCH. While commonalities support the gesture’s grounding in pan-human aspects of embodiment, cultural variations point to the influence of culture-specific sedimentation. These findings refine our understanding of the nature of recurrent gestures and offer empirical grounding for a revised version of MSM, which incorporates a hybrid Embodied/Sedimented level and further distinguishes genetic (individual) and generative (historical-social) layers of sedimentation. (Less)
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author
Kuryu, Daiya LU
supervisor
organization
course
SPVR01 20251
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
cognitive semiotics, recurrent gestures, embodiment, sedimentation, Two-Handed-Alternation-Sagittal (2HAS) gesture, the Motivation & Sedimentation Model (MSM)
language
English
id
9210680
date added to LUP
2025-08-26 08:48:23
date last changed
2025-08-27 16:23:36
@misc{9210680,
  abstract     = {{This thesis investigates the semiotic foundations of recurrent gestures through a cross-cultural study of the Two-Handed-Alternation-Sagittal (2HAS) gesture in Japanese and Swedish. Drawing on the Motivation & Sedimentation Model (MSM)––a cognitive-semiotic model of meaning-making––the study explores how recurrent gestures emerge from the dynamic interplay between embodiment and sedimentation. Accordingly, the thesis describes an empirical study aiming to what extent recurrent gestures, situated between spontaneous gesticulation and conventionalized emblems, are shaped both by shared bodily experiences and by historically sedimented social practices. The 2HAS gesture, characterized by alternating hand movements along the sagittal axis, was analyzed for its meaning variations and distribution using phenomenological triangulation: combining first-person conceptual reflection, second-person intersubjective methods, and third-person quantitative analysis. Through an examination of semi-spontaneous conversations in two groups of participants, Japanese and Swedish, the study reveals both commonalities and differences in the use and meaning of 2HAS across these cultural groups. The gesture frequently expressed delineated meanings like BIDIRECTIONALITY and GIVE & RECEIVE, as well as holistic meanings like UNCERTAINTY, OPTIONALITY and WORD SEARCH. While commonalities support the gesture’s grounding in pan-human aspects of embodiment, cultural variations point to the influence of culture-specific sedimentation. These findings refine our understanding of the nature of recurrent gestures and offer empirical grounding for a revised version of MSM, which incorporates a hybrid Embodied/Sedimented level and further distinguishes genetic (individual) and generative (historical-social) layers of sedimentation.}},
  author       = {{Kuryu, Daiya}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Recurrent Gestures, Embodiment and Sedimentation: The Case of Two-Handed-Alternation-Sagittal (2HAS) Gesture in Japanese and Swedish}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}