This study examined nonverbal regulators as gender signals in Hausa culture. It was guided by the understanding that conversation is an organized and structured activity governed by both verbal and nonverbal cues. Within the framework of Conversational Analysis, regulators such as gaze, head movements, pauses, and hand gestures were understood as cues that controlled the rhythm and flow of talk, functioning much like traffic signals. Drawing on video recordings of naturally occurring face-toface interactions among Hausa speakers, the research investigated how gender influenced the use and interpretation of these regulators. The findings revealed that some nonverbal regulators were distinctly malespecific, reflecting authority, assertiveness, and social dominance; others were female-specific, often associated with modesty, politeness, and deference. Additionally, a category of neuter regulators emerged, used across gender lines to maintain conversational balance. The study concluded that gender in Hausa communication was not only encoded in language choice but also vividly performed through nonverbal regulation, reflecting deeper sociocultural expectations and values.
Written By:
Dr. Aisha Umar Adamu
Northwest University, Kano
+2348032878882
umaru.aisha@gmail.com
Shema’u Tijjani Zahraddeen
Aminu Kano College of Islamic and Legal Studies, Kano
shemauzahradeen@gmail.com
+2349060078313