Abstract
The concept of time is not only represented by concrete objects such as clocks and calendars and language, but also by spontaneous gestures. Previous research has shown that when discussing temporal relations between, speakers use linear or circular gestures to express temporal relations. It is also known that such gestures influence the temporal representations of listeners who observe them. However, as time moves in a specific direction, the present study manipulated not only the shape but also the direction of the speaker's gestures to investigate their impact on the listener's understanding of temporal relations. The results showed that observers who saw linear gestures tended to perceive the flow of time from left to right, regardless of the direction of the gesture, while observers who saw circular gestures were affected by the direction. This is thought to be due to the strong influence of cultural conventions that associate the flow of time from left to right in the correct direction.
