OK SIGN: ONE GESTURE, DIFFERENT MEANINGS — AN INTERCULTURAL ANALYSIS
Keywords:
OK sign, gesture, nonverbal communication, intercultural meaning, semiotics, globalizationAbstract
This article, “OK Sign: One Gesture, Different Meanings — An Intercultural Analysis,” written by Tursunova Sarvinoz Otabek qizi, investigates how the same gesture may express drastically different meanings across cultures. Although the OK sign, made by forming a circle with the thumb and index finger, is often used to show agreement or satisfaction in many Western countries, its significance changes dramatically around the world. In some regions, such as Brazil, Turkey, and Greece, the gesture carries vulgar or offensive implications. The paper aims to highlight the historical roots, intercultural meanings, and semiotic features of this gesture, underlining that nonverbal symbols are not universal but culturally specific. Understanding such differences is crucial for avoiding intercultural misunderstandings and achieving effective global communication.
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