(Posters) Saying the unspoken: moments when hand gestures matter

BEIJING, Sept. 23 (Xinhua) -- Our hands can speak. Sign languages have long served as a form of nonverbal communication for humans, allowing us to express ourselves when words fail us. They can be far more effective than words in conveying messages at times. Each year on Sept. 23, the International Day of Sign Languages is observed. These pictures from the Xinhua image archive show how Chinese people use hand gestures in various situations.

Edited by Li Mangmang, Xin Mengchen, Liu Lingyi & Zhang Liqing

Visual design by Li Mangmang■