Is dance a language?
To me, language is defined as any set form of communication. This communication does not have to be through words, hand signals, or symbols. Ideas can easily be expressed through body movements and dance. The fact that there is a concept known as “body language” proves in itself that the answer to this question is yes.
Dance proves a very good medium through which emotion can be conveyed. The dancing in West Side Story clearly portrayed themes of conflict and tension. Dancing filled with touch and embrace can clearly depict love, a solo dancer can express loneliness through his slow movements and steps, and joy can be seen through fast, upbeat movements. Pauses, changes in pace, and dramatic shifts in style all act as punctuation in dance and contribute to telling a story.
Our meeting with Dante Adela further proves that dance is a language. In the video he showed us, a dance sequence was able to tell a detailed and beautiful story, without the aid of words. We were all able to understand the meaning of the story just through the dancers movements in regard to each other, their sweeping motions, and their speed and rhythm. We cannot limit language just to the realms of words, as it is clear that thoughts, ideas, emotions, and even stories, can be told without them.
