What are culturally recognized nonverbal acts called?

Culturally recognized nonverbal acts are referred to as emblems. Emblems are specific gestures or signals that have a clear meaning within a particular culture and can often stand in for words or phrases. For example, nodding your head may signify "yes" in many cultures, while a thumbs-up can indicate approval. The key characteristic of emblems is that they have a defined meaning and can be easily understood by members of a cultural group, allowing for effective communication without the need for verbal language.

In contrast, illustrators serve to complement or enhance verbal communication but do not stand alone as independent forms of expression. Body motion is a broader term that encompasses all types of movement and does not specifically relate to culturally defined meanings. Gestures can include both emblems and illustrators, but the term is more general and does not focus solely on the culturally recognized aspects.