Confusing Semantic Content With Its Paralinguistic Expression

Ngo, Hood, Martin, Painter, Smith & Zappavigna (2022: 96):

Alternatively, the paralinguistic entity may be shaped as either two- or three-dimensional, with rounded or straightened hands and fingers. For example, the vlogger gestures defined entities when referring to the bump formation of the granuloma on her foot (2).

 

Blogger Comments:

[1] As previously explained, terms such as 'paralinguistic entity' confuse discourse semantics (entity) with paralanguage misunderstood as an expression-only semiotic system (shape, gesture).

[2] To be clear, the terms 'shaped', 'gestures' and 'referring to' function here to express the realisation relation between paralinguistic expression and linguistic content:

• a linguistic entity may be realised as either two- or three-dimensional, with rounded or straightened hands and fingers;
• the vlogger's gestures realise defined entities;
• the vlogger's gestures realise the bump formation (but see [3] below).

[3] Again, this hand shape realises the 'bubbling up' of the granuloma after the injection of the steroid.