Service Gestural

Service Gestural is a constructed language that makes exclusive use of gestures.
The language is highly nuanced and only the most trustworthy servants of the Tightish Empire are trained in it.
Its usage is limited to duties containing confidential information, with some information even required to be communicated exclusively in Service Gestural
Common Gestural, an exceedingly simplified version, is also taught and may be used without restriction.

Purpose

The primary purpose of Service Gestural is to allow secret communication between servants of the Crown, be it in the Royal Mint or among the elites of the Order of Imperial Custodians.
Highly confidential information may only be exchanged in Service Gestural and relies on the languages secrecy and difficulty to fulfil this function.
All alingual members of staff are trained in the language, but its usage outside of the line of duty is not permitted and make result in persecution under offence EE3-I, which is the obstruction of justice through the misusage of information, according to the Book of the Crown's Justice.
The reason for this is to reduce unauthorised exposure to the language, as it may be possible to recognise patterns in its usage while contextualising the actions and body-language of those communicating.
A further reason to forbid such communication is to protect those using it, as it may be distinguished from Common Gestural with a trained eye and may cause those caught using it to become a target for torture or extortion for illicit purposes.

Security

The security of the language stems from four factors, namely disguise, complexity, secrecy and corruptability.
Service Gestural is easily disguised as Common Gestural or typical body language, allowing a hidden message to be conveyed through the undertones.
The complexity of these undertones further impedes efforts to read it, since which factors influence the meaning of the gestures changes from word to word.
The introduction for code words further obscures the original meaning of the message.
The fact that the details of the language are a closely guarded secret and is only taught to those which have proven their trustworthiness reduces the amount of people able to even begin analysing the language, since they couldn't know what hints to look for.
Corruptability is the final pillar to the security of this language, for it is exceedingly difficult to communicate using it if one is not free to move arms and legs or if one is under the influence of intoxicants.
This makes the capture and interrogation of a speaker of Service Gestural a nigh useless matter as, unless the captive cooperates willingly, there is no way of having them explain the language reliably.

Writing System

Service Gestural has more in common with an iconographic then an alphabetic language, with various gestures tying into a concept.
Although the language undergoes modifications on an annual basis, it is believed that even factors such as the rough orientation of the hand, the speed and regularity of movements and in some cases even the coordination between eyes and lips may carry significance.
As a fictional example to demonstrate the extent of these complexities, let us assume that a typical wave of greeting signifies 'recognition'.
Having the arm tilting slightly forward may imply that it is less formal, perhaps a friend that has been recognised.
If this is paired with closed eyes, that may mean that the friend was not seen, or, together with the wave, that the friend was not recognised.
Showing teeth may resemble a skull, or death, which could also imply the future.
These four gestures combined could, in a flash, communicate that the person will not recognise their friend.
This may hint towards a strategy that may be used in a hostage situation, where the hostage communicates to a rescuer that they will pretend not torecognise them.
Further details, such as moving the arm quicker in one direction then the other while twisting a foot inwards may hint towards a weakness located in the appropriate direction or provide other crucial information unnoticed by the regular observer.
Furthermore it is likely that false gestures, which would be noticed and ignored by an individual in the know, are integrated into this alphabet to throw off potential onlookers attempting to decypher the language.

Root Languages

• Outer Tightish