What type of defamation involves spoken words or gestures?

The correct answer is based on the definition and characteristics of defamation as a legal concept. Slander specifically refers to defamatory statements that are spoken or communicated through gestures. This form of defamation is distinct from libel, which pertains to written or published statements.

In the context of defamation law, the distinction is important because slander usually requires proof of actual damages unless the statements fall into certain categories deemed so harmful that damages are presumed. Understanding this distinction helps clarify how different forms of defamation are treated legally.

Libel involves permanent forms of communication, such as print or online publications, making it subject to different legal considerations regarding evidence and damage claims. Defamation per se refers to statements that are considered to be inherently damaging without the need for proving harm, while innuendo involves statements that suggest additional insinuations or meanings beyond their literal wording. Each of these terms has its own implications in defamation law, but in this instance, the focus on spoken words categorically aligns with the concept of slander.