RECORD: Darwin, C. R. & Emma Darwin. n.d. Nodding (continued) CUL-DAR186.19. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 10.2023. RN1

NOTE: See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here. Reproduced with permission of the Syndics of Cambridge University Library and William Huxley Darwin. The volume CUL-DAR186 contains answers to 'Queries about expression' summarised by subject (contempt, good spirits, indignation etc.) and geographically (Australia, Brazil, China etc.), research leading to Expression (F1142).

Darwin's 'Queries about expression' can be found in Darwin 1867, [Darwin] 1867, Darwin 1868, CUL-DAR53.1.B2, CUL-DAR186.1 and Expression pp. 15-16. On these see Freeman and Gautrey 1972, 1975 and Freeman 1977. A later version is in Darwin 1874. See van Wyhe, Comparison of three versions of Darwin's 'Queries about expression'.


[19]

Egypt

Nodding for yes

Shaking head for no-

25 A. Gray nodding for affirmation yes rarely a sign of approval or greeting.

never shaken laterally in negative, - not understood.

Natal

26 Kafir chief yes.

27 Swinhoe yes precisely

yes

yes -

Brazil

28 F. Müller yes – negros born in Brazil

yes -

N. America

30 Matthews no.

except to whites.

describe a circle outwds & downwds all fingers bent but index-

31 Rottrock – yes -

no

wave open hand sideways palm facing inwards.

 

yes sometimes.

34 Geach yes – Malay

yes-

Esquimaux no yes

yes nod

no

wink

Falkland nod

no answer.

Sir J. Lubbock N. America} Comanchos

fore finger, raised & lowered, partly to ground

finger shaken from side to side.

Wedgwood account for no. – closed mouth, & head thrown back

Tylor-Burdon Indians p. 38} hand waved from face (understood by idiots)

hand covered from right to left

Tylor 53. New Zealand elevate the head & chin & a movement like one shaking head

Trunks throw back with a

— Siamen Priest raise hat or fan

Trunks throw back Head with a chuck

 

 

— lower them

[Expression, pp. 276-7.]


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Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

File last updated 20 November, 2023