Rola gestów narracyjnych w publicznych wystąpieniach Jana Pawła II na podstawie wybranych przemówień z I pielgrzymki do Polski
The Role of Narrative Gestures in the Public Speeches of John Paul II based on first pilgrimage to Poland

Summary/Abstract: RESEARCH OBJECTIVE: The aim of the article is to show which narrative gestures were used by John Paul II and how did they change the nature of his public appearances. This will be shown on the basis of selected speeches from the Pope’s first pilgrimage to Poland. THE RESEARCH PROBLEM AND METHODS: The problem raised in the text is focused on the question what role played narrative gestures in public appearances of John Paul II. The methods used to investigate this issue are: the literature review and the integrated method of communication analysis used to study narrative gestures in combination with the verbal process. THE PROCESS OF ARGUMENTATION: The first part of the article will present the theory of narrative gestures in the concept of non-verbal communication. Their definition will be given and their types will be discussed. The narrative gestures appearing in selected public speeches of John Paul II during the first pilgrimage to Poland will be analysed in the second part of the text. RESEARCH RESULTS: Narrative gestures, both batons, illustrators and gestational metaphors, as gestures co-occurring with the verbal process, all of them play a very important communication role in the public speeches of John Paul II. They show speaker’s attitude to the transmitted content, they illustrate verbal layer elements as well as they reveal some mental processes and they depict abstract concepts, imaginary schemes in a specific way. They assist in establishing relationships with the recipient, they facilitate the contact with him and strengthen the persuasive function. CONCLUSIONS, INNOVATIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Non-verbal communication, in particular the narrative gestures, is such an important aspect of Pope John Paul II’s public appearances that it certainly deserves to be thoroughly analysed. The speech style of the Polish Pope has already been well researched, however there are no studies that would describe the nature of his public appearances in complete way, that is covering not only verbal, but also non-verbal aspects. It is worth taking a closer look at the gestures of John Paul II who as a perfect actor was aware of their role and used them to strengthen the persuasiveness of statements and build a bond with the recipient.

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