Kehakeeles

Kehakeeles, or body language, refers to nonverbal communication produced by the body, including movements, posture, facial expressions, eye contact, and gestures that accompany spoken language or substitute for it. It encompasses a range of cues such as limb movements, head tilts, and micro-expressions, as well as signals produced by touch, space, and timing.

Body language serves multiple functions in communication. It can reinforce or contradict spoken messages, regulate turn-taking in conversation, and convey emotions or attitudes that may be difficult to express verbally. In social interactions, observers often rely on these nonverbal cues to assess confidence, interest, honesty, or empathy. Because it operates in real time, body language can influence rapport and perception even when verbal content remains neutral.

The interpretation of kehakeeles is culturally variable and context dependent. Meanings attached to gestures, eye contact, or proximity can differ markedly across cultures and situations, leading to miscommunication if interpreted without cultural awareness. Individuals also vary in their expressive styles, and identical movements may have different meanings for different people.

Key categories include kinesics (movement and posture), facial expressions, eye behavior, proxemics (use of space), haptics (touch), and paralanguage (tone and pace accompanying speech). Researchers use systematic coding schemes, such as facial action analysis, to study these cues, but no single gesture reliably conveys a universal message. Practical interpretation relies on looking for patterns across multiple cues within a given context.