Heart of a Samurai: A Tale of Communication and Resilience

In the excerpt from Heart of a Samurai, the interaction between the strangers and the fishermen highlights the challenges of communication between individuals who speak different languages. This is evident through the use of hand signs as a means of understanding each other.

When the strangers arrived, they leaped out of their boats and pulled them up on the beach. By using signs, they made it clear to the castaways that they should climb aboard. This method of communication indicates that verbal language was not effective in this situation, leading the men to resort to using hand gestures to convey their message.

On the other hand, the fishermen exchanged frightened glances and whispered to each other, showing their hesitation and uncertainty about the strangers' intentions. This further reinforces the idea that there was a language barrier between the two groups, as the fishermen seemed unable to understand or follow the strangers' directions immediately.

Overall, the use of hand signs by both groups of men in the excerpt helps readers infer that they speak different languages and must find alternative ways to communicate effectively to navigate their shared journey and face the challenges ahead.