Communicating in the Monastery. Monks were supposed to be silent during much of the day. Silence not only aided spiritual contemplation, but it helped to prevent disputes and gossip. Monks were not allowed to speak in the church, kitchen, dormitory, and refectory. Even when monks could speak, they were instructed to do so quietly and to speak only about spiritual subjects. Moreover, monks could not speak with anyone except other monks, even the lay brothers, except in emergencies or if they held office in the monastery. Yet, there were times when communication was essential even if speech was forbidden, and monks developed sign language for use in these periods. Most sign language had to do with basic foodstuffs and activities, but it could become quite elaborate and excessive. Gerald of Wales, who visited Canterbury in the eleventh century, complained about the...