Horizon : Pointing in different cultures

【明報專訊】Humans point to signal someone to look in a direction. While we may think that pointing with the index finger is universal, pointing takes different forms across the globe.

■Lip-pointing

Lip-pointing, also known as mouth-pointing, is commonly used in the Philippines. When Filipinos point with their lips, they pout their lips while looking at the direction they want to indicate. This movement is not found solely in the Philippines. It can also be found in some parts of South America, Africa, Australia, etc.

■Nose-pointing

The Yupno are indigenous people who live in a remote village in Papua New Guinea(巴布亞新幾內亞). They tend to use nose-pointing more than finger-pointing. Nose-pointing is done by scrunching one's nose while looking in a specific direction. Although it looks like an expression of disgust, it is just the unique way of how the Yupno point.

Whole-

■hand pointing

In India, it is considered rude to point with the index finger. Most Indian people point their fingers only at the inferior classes, animals or inanimate objects. To show good manners, it is important to point someone with the entire hand. Since the left hand is considered unclean in Indian culture, it is even better to use the right hand.

■Gear up

1. Which of the following is the best way to point in India?

A. Using the right index finger

B. Using the entire right hand

C. Using the entire left hand

(Answer on next text)

■Glossary

solely (adv) 僅有地

scrunch (v) 扭曲

inferior (adj) 下級的

inanimate (adj) 無生命的

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[Smarties' Power English 第361期]