Perspectives on Pantomime

Pantomime and Its Significance

Pantomime is a unique form of communication, which we improvise “on the fly” to transmit information when unable to use language, for example during intercultural contacts or when the use of language is blocked or constrained, as in the case of some medical conditions or the game of charades. Pantomimic communication has been investigated from a number of perspectives, including neuropsychological, developmental and gesture research.

Recently, pantomime has come under the attention of evolutionary linguistics as a strong candidate for a precursor of verbal communication. The volume Perspectives on pantomime: evolution, development, interaction brings together authors who are at the forefront of these studies, which challenge the notion that pantomime is merely a fallback mode of expression. This multidisciplinary journey traverses language evolution, cognitive science, cognitive semiotics, sign language linguistics, psychology and gesture studies to unveil the profound role that pantomime plays in human communication.