Final answer:
Co-thought gestures are instrumental in supporting language development and enhancing communication, which includes establishing trust and conveying additional meaning.
Step-by-step explanation:
Co-thought gestures have been shown to facilitate a variety of cognitive and communicative functions. For instance, Iverson and Goldin-Meadow's research highlights that gestures play a significant role in paving the way for language development, suggesting that they may assist in learning and thought processes. Furthermore, facial expressions and gestures can provide additional layers of meaning and aid in strengthening communication and establishing trust within a community, as also suggested by the connection between body language and the interpretation of a public speaker's message. Yet, it's important to strike a balance because too much or too little use of gestures can distract or confuse the audience. Additionally, studies in primatology have indicated that even non-human great apes can use gestures in a symbolic, rule-based manner, hinting at the fundamental capacity for protolanguage, which could offer insights into the evolution of human language and cognition.