FEELINGS AND EMOTIONS
AFFECTION: Make two fists and cross the arms against the chest.
AFRAID, COWARDLY: First point to the person in question. Then make the sign for "fright."
AFRAID OF NO ONE: Point the right index finger in several directions. Then make the signs
for "to fear" and "not."
ANGER: Place the right hand, closed, against the forehead, with the thumb touching the
forehead. Slowly bring the hand forward, rotating the fist slightly clockwise and counterclockwise
in a twisting motion.
CALM DOWN: Hold the hands open at shoulder level, palms turned towards the person
addressed. Then lower the hands slowly with a downward movement of the forearms.
TO DESIRE, WANT: Hold the right hand closed very near the chin. Then form an incomplete
circle with the thumb and index finger at mouth level. With a slight wrist movement, bring the
hand to the lips, thus making the motion of drinking. the little finger should be at the same level
as the index finger.
ENEMY: The signs for friend and not are most often used. Some tribes make the signs for
"handshake" and "not."
TO FORGET: Make the sign for "night," followed by a vigorous forward movement of the right
hand. Then sweep the right hand towards the left side, passing over the left hand.
TO FORGIVE: Raise both hands, closed except for extended thumbs and index fingers, to
shoulder level, with palms facing the person addressed. Then move the hands forward, each
describing a semi-circle. Then make the sign for "to go."
FRIEND, FRIENDSHIP (or "brother" and "people who live together"): Raise the right hand
to neck level, palm out, index and middle fingers touching and extended. Then lift the hand until
the fingertips reach the level of the face.
GLOOM, MELANCHOLY, SADNESS: Make the signs for "heart" and "sick."
HAPPY, CONTENTED: Make the signs for "heart" and "day."
JEALOUSY: Close both hands and place them against each side of the chest. Then move the
right elbow both to the right and towards the rear. Then do the same with the left elbow. Repeat
at least once.
TO LOVE: Make the sign for "friend."
QUIET: Thrust both hands forward at chest level with palms down and fingers together. Then
lower the hands very slowly to the level of the waist.
SAD: Close the right hand and place it against the forehead. Then with the same hand, execute
a small circular movement, keeping it in the same place, however. The head should be turned
to one side and the face should have a serious expression. If the head is kept straight, the sign
means "mad."
SHAME: With the fingers held together and extended upwards, the rear edges of the hands are
placed against the cheeks. Then the hands are crossed diagonally across the face.
SHY: Make the sign for "shame."
TO WORRY: Make the signs for "heart." Then wave your hand in the direction of the heart.
QUALITIES AND FAULTS
BAD: Hold the right hand clenched at the level of the left side of the chest. Then lower it
towards the left side, opening the fingers one by one.
BIG: Make the signs for "sizeable" and "high."
BITTER: Touch the tongue with the tip of the right index finger and then make the sign for
"bad."
FAST, RAPID: Raise the left hand to chest level and move it towards the left side of the body.
Do the same with the right hand, keeping the hands about 6 inches apart. Then quickly pass the
right hand in front of the left, describing a slight upwards curve first, then a downwards one.
FATIGUE: Hold both hands at waist level with the index fingers pointing forward. Lower the
hands in a weary manner with the index fingers pointing at the ground, and the other fingers still
clenched.
GENEROUS: Make the signs for "big" and "heart."
GOOD: Place the hand horizontally at the level of the heart, with the fingers extended towards
the left side of the body. Then shift the hand, still in a horizontal position, towards the right side
of the body.
HIGH: With fingers together and palms turned towards the ground, hold the right hand a short
distance from the right shoulder, then raise it to the desired height.
HONEST: Make the sign for "true."
HORRIBLE: With the fingers of the right hand spread, press the right thumb on the right cheek.
INTELLIGENCE, WIT: Touch the forehead with the right index and middle fingers.
LIAR, TO LIE: (to have two tongues) Hold the right hand at the right side of the mouth, with
fingers aimed to the let. Move the hand forward in such a way that the fingers pass in front of
the mouth.
LITTLE (in the sense of not much): Raise the half-closed hands to shoulder level, with the tips
of the fingers crooked and facing the fingers of the other hand. The palm of the right hand
should be at the level of the left index finger, about 10 inches away. Then raise the right hand
above the left, then the left above the right. Then raise the right above the left again.
LIVE, LIVING: Place the right hand about a foot away from the chest, index finger extended;
then by wrist action make three zigzags.
NEW: Make the signs for "old," "not" and "good."
OLD: See "old man."
POOR (in quality): Half close your hands and bring them together as if you were rearranging
something in front of you. Then separate them slightly, placing the right index finger on the base
of the left thumb.
POOR (opposite of rich): Hold the right hand closed at chest level, thumb near the body.
Lower the arm quickly, moving it forward at the same time, keeping the hand closed, and by a
wrist movement make the thumb face forward.
SIZEABLE (big): Hold the hands with the palms facing each other, fingers spread, at chest
level. Keep the hands fairly close together at first, then spread them out, the right hand
stretching to the right and the let hand stretching to the left.
SMALL: Hold the left arm at shoulder level, palm up, the other fingers clenched in such a way
that the tip of the index finger is below the thumbnail.
UGLY: Hold the right hand against the face, the fingers touching the forehead. Then describe a
faint circle on the front of the face. Finish with the sign for "bad."
UNCERTAIN, UNDECIDED: Make the sign for "maybe."
THE FAMILY
BABY: Place the right hand clenched against the left side of the chest, palm inwards. Clasp the
right forearm with the left hand as if holding a baby.
BROTHER: Touch the tips of the index and middle fingers to the lips. Then make the sign for
"man."
CHILD: Make the sign for "man" or "girl," as the case may be. Hold the right hand closed
against the right side. Then indicate the size of the child.
DIVORCE: Make the signs for "woman" and "to abandon."
FATHER: Cup your right hand slightly, and tap the right side of your chest gently two of three
times. Then make the sign for "man."
HUSBAND: Make the signs for "man" and "to marry."
MAN: Stretch out the right index finger, keeping the fingers closed, palm facing the other
person. The same sign means "male."
MARRY: Make the sign for "exchange," then hold both index fingers together pointing forward.
MOTHER: With the right hand half closed, give two or three gentle taps on the left side of the
chest.
OLD MAN: Clench the right hand and pretend to be leaning on a cane or stick, while bending
forward. Then make the sign for "man."
SISTER: Make the sign for "woman," then hold your index and middle fingers horizontally with
their tips on your lips, with the thumb and other fingers closed up.
WOMAN, WIFE: Make the signs for "girl" and "husband."
AFFECTION: Make two fists and cross the arms against the chest.
AFRAID, COWARDLY: First point to the person in question. Then make the sign for "fright."
AFRAID OF NO ONE: Point the right index finger in several directions. Then make the signs
for "to fear" and "not."
ANGER: Place the right hand, closed, against the forehead, with the thumb touching the
forehead. Slowly bring the hand forward, rotating the fist slightly clockwise and counterclockwise
in a twisting motion.
CALM DOWN: Hold the hands open at shoulder level, palms turned towards the person
addressed. Then lower the hands slowly with a downward movement of the forearms.
TO DESIRE, WANT: Hold the right hand closed very near the chin. Then form an incomplete
circle with the thumb and index finger at mouth level. With a slight wrist movement, bring the
hand to the lips, thus making the motion of drinking. the little finger should be at the same level
as the index finger.
ENEMY: The signs for friend and not are most often used. Some tribes make the signs for
"handshake" and "not."
TO FORGET: Make the sign for "night," followed by a vigorous forward movement of the right
hand. Then sweep the right hand towards the left side, passing over the left hand.
TO FORGIVE: Raise both hands, closed except for extended thumbs and index fingers, to
shoulder level, with palms facing the person addressed. Then move the hands forward, each
describing a semi-circle. Then make the sign for "to go."
FRIEND, FRIENDSHIP (or "brother" and "people who live together"): Raise the right hand
to neck level, palm out, index and middle fingers touching and extended. Then lift the hand until
the fingertips reach the level of the face.
GLOOM, MELANCHOLY, SADNESS: Make the signs for "heart" and "sick."
HAPPY, CONTENTED: Make the signs for "heart" and "day."
JEALOUSY: Close both hands and place them against each side of the chest. Then move the
right elbow both to the right and towards the rear. Then do the same with the left elbow. Repeat
at least once.
TO LOVE: Make the sign for "friend."
QUIET: Thrust both hands forward at chest level with palms down and fingers together. Then
lower the hands very slowly to the level of the waist.
SAD: Close the right hand and place it against the forehead. Then with the same hand, execute
a small circular movement, keeping it in the same place, however. The head should be turned
to one side and the face should have a serious expression. If the head is kept straight, the sign
means "mad."
SHAME: With the fingers held together and extended upwards, the rear edges of the hands are
placed against the cheeks. Then the hands are crossed diagonally across the face.
SHY: Make the sign for "shame."
TO WORRY: Make the signs for "heart." Then wave your hand in the direction of the heart.
QUALITIES AND FAULTS
BAD: Hold the right hand clenched at the level of the left side of the chest. Then lower it
towards the left side, opening the fingers one by one.
BIG: Make the signs for "sizeable" and "high."
BITTER: Touch the tongue with the tip of the right index finger and then make the sign for
"bad."
FAST, RAPID: Raise the left hand to chest level and move it towards the left side of the body.
Do the same with the right hand, keeping the hands about 6 inches apart. Then quickly pass the
right hand in front of the left, describing a slight upwards curve first, then a downwards one.
FATIGUE: Hold both hands at waist level with the index fingers pointing forward. Lower the
hands in a weary manner with the index fingers pointing at the ground, and the other fingers still
clenched.
GENEROUS: Make the signs for "big" and "heart."
GOOD: Place the hand horizontally at the level of the heart, with the fingers extended towards
the left side of the body. Then shift the hand, still in a horizontal position, towards the right side
of the body.
HIGH: With fingers together and palms turned towards the ground, hold the right hand a short
distance from the right shoulder, then raise it to the desired height.
HONEST: Make the sign for "true."
HORRIBLE: With the fingers of the right hand spread, press the right thumb on the right cheek.
INTELLIGENCE, WIT: Touch the forehead with the right index and middle fingers.
LIAR, TO LIE: (to have two tongues) Hold the right hand at the right side of the mouth, with
fingers aimed to the let. Move the hand forward in such a way that the fingers pass in front of
the mouth.
LITTLE (in the sense of not much): Raise the half-closed hands to shoulder level, with the tips
of the fingers crooked and facing the fingers of the other hand. The palm of the right hand
should be at the level of the left index finger, about 10 inches away. Then raise the right hand
above the left, then the left above the right. Then raise the right above the left again.
LIVE, LIVING: Place the right hand about a foot away from the chest, index finger extended;
then by wrist action make three zigzags.
NEW: Make the signs for "old," "not" and "good."
OLD: See "old man."
POOR (in quality): Half close your hands and bring them together as if you were rearranging
something in front of you. Then separate them slightly, placing the right index finger on the base
of the left thumb.
POOR (opposite of rich): Hold the right hand closed at chest level, thumb near the body.
Lower the arm quickly, moving it forward at the same time, keeping the hand closed, and by a
wrist movement make the thumb face forward.
SIZEABLE (big): Hold the hands with the palms facing each other, fingers spread, at chest
level. Keep the hands fairly close together at first, then spread them out, the right hand
stretching to the right and the let hand stretching to the left.
SMALL: Hold the left arm at shoulder level, palm up, the other fingers clenched in such a way
that the tip of the index finger is below the thumbnail.
UGLY: Hold the right hand against the face, the fingers touching the forehead. Then describe a
faint circle on the front of the face. Finish with the sign for "bad."
UNCERTAIN, UNDECIDED: Make the sign for "maybe."
THE FAMILY
BABY: Place the right hand clenched against the left side of the chest, palm inwards. Clasp the
right forearm with the left hand as if holding a baby.
BROTHER: Touch the tips of the index and middle fingers to the lips. Then make the sign for
"man."
CHILD: Make the sign for "man" or "girl," as the case may be. Hold the right hand closed
against the right side. Then indicate the size of the child.
DIVORCE: Make the signs for "woman" and "to abandon."
FATHER: Cup your right hand slightly, and tap the right side of your chest gently two of three
times. Then make the sign for "man."
HUSBAND: Make the signs for "man" and "to marry."
MAN: Stretch out the right index finger, keeping the fingers closed, palm facing the other
person. The same sign means "male."
MARRY: Make the sign for "exchange," then hold both index fingers together pointing forward.
MOTHER: With the right hand half closed, give two or three gentle taps on the left side of the
chest.
OLD MAN: Clench the right hand and pretend to be leaning on a cane or stick, while bending
forward. Then make the sign for "man."
SISTER: Make the sign for "woman," then hold your index and middle fingers horizontally with
their tips on your lips, with the thumb and other fingers closed up.
WOMAN, WIFE: Make the signs for "girl" and "husband."
OBJECTS
ARROW: Bring the left hand close to the chest, with the index finger and thumb forming a ring
(as though holding a bow). Grasp the ring with the right hand and make the motion of pulling
back a bowstring.
BASKET: Make the sign for "kettle," then wiggle the fingers to suggest the action of basket-
weaving.
BLANKET: Close both hands and draw them up to the shoulders, as though pulling a blanket up
on you. Then move the right hand towards the left and the left towards the right so that the arms
cross and the right hand is closer to the body. Stop when the two wrists come into contact.
BOAT: Bring your hands together in a cup to represent the hull of a ship. Then move them
forward to indicate travel. If a canoe is meant, make the gesture for paddling. If a rowboat,
pretend to row.
DRUM: First arrange both hands to simulate the shape of a drum. Keep the left hand in place
and motionless and use the right hand as a drumstick. Pretend to strike the drum several times.
KETTLE: Form an incomplete circle with both hands, the index fingers touching but not the
thumbs. Drop the right hand and make the motion of lifting by passing it underneath. With the
left hand, pretend to grasp a handle.
MONEY: Hold the right hand halfway up the chest, with the thumb and index finger forming an
incomplete circle. This is the same as the sign or "medal." Indians were very fond of medals
and the whites bestowed medals abundantly on them in order to gain their confidence and favor.
TOBACCO: Hold the left hand open, palm up, fingers together. Place the edge of the right
hand on the left palm. With the fleshy part of the right hand, rub the left palm in a circular
manner, as though picking up bits of tobacco.
DRESS AND ADORNMENT
CLOTHING, COSTUME: Place your hands flat against the upper part of the chest and move
them down to just below the waist.
COLOR: Rub the fingertips of the right hand in a circular pattern on the back of the left hand.
Usually after making the sign, you point to an object having this color.
MOCCASINS: Bend over so that you can touch your lower legs. Then place your hands flat
against the shins, palms in, with the thumbs and index fingers pointing down and the other
fingers squeezing the sides of the legs.
TATTOOED: Press several times with the right fingertips on the spot where the tattoo is. If it is
on the right arm, use the left fingertips.
WAR PAINT: Rub the right cheek in a circular motion with the tips of the right fingers.
ON THE TRAIL
TO GO: Hold the right hand near the chest, palm up, fingers together and extended. Then
move the hand briskly towards the person addressed.
TO RIDE A HORSE: Make the sign for "horse." Then move the hands forward, making a
succession of small curves.
TRACK: Make the sign for "to walk" and then point to the ground.
WALK: If people are involved, hold the hands in front of the chest, side by side, palms down
and fingers extended and held together. Then describe an oval in the air with your right hand.
Do the same with the left hand. When the left hand is down, move the right hand over it and
begin again. If animals are involved, do the gestures with the hands joined.
ON THE WARPATH
TO CAPTURE: Clutch your shoulders with your hands. Then, with closed fists, cross your wrists
in front of your body.
TO DIE, DEATH: Hold the right hand vertically, palm turned towards the chest. Hold the left
hand under the right, with the left index finger pointing towards the right hand. Move the left
hand forward, passing it under the right hand, describing a slight curve.
ESCAPE: Close both hands and place one wrist on the other. Then separate them with an
abrupt gesture, thrusting the left hand to the left side and the right hand to the right side. Then
make the sign "to go."
TO EXTERMINATE: Place the inner edge of the left hand on the chest, with the palm up. Then
tap the left hand with the right hand.
TO FIGHT: Hold your hands tightly clenched and slightly in front of you, at shoulder level. Then
move them briskly towards the person addressed. Repeat this several times.
FRIEND: Raise the right hand to shoulder level, with the index and middle fingers extended
upwards and held together, and with the other fingers closed.
PEACE: Place the hands in front of the chest, with the left palm turned up.
WAR: Clench both fists at your sides at waist level. Then move them up and forward.
WOUND, WOUNDED: With the index finger of the right hand, touch the chest just above the
heart.
TRADE
TO CONDUCT BUSINESS; TO NEGOTIATE: Hold both forearms raised, hands closed, index
fingers pointing up. Then lower the hands together, passing them in front of the chest.
DECISION: Hold the left hand open, palm up. Place the right hand vertically above the left
moving it up from the side of the waist rapidly.
END, TO FINISH: Hold the left hand vertically on the left side of chest, fingers held together
and pointing up. Then rapidly lower the right hand, held open, letting it graze the tips of the left
fingers in passing.
TO EXCHANGE, TRADE: Place both hands at shoulder level, index fingers pointing up. Lower
the hands and pass one hand in front of the other, describing a quarter circle.
TO EXPLAIN: Hold the right hand open, at mouth level, with palm up and fingers spread. Then,
keeping the wrist stationary, pivot the hand to the right.
GIVE ME: Extend the right hand forward in a gesture of asking for something. Then bring it
towards the shoulder.
HOW MUCH?: With fingers outstretched and palm down, hold the left hand at neck level at a 45
degree angle towards the right hand, which is held slightly forward of the left. Then, with the
index finger of the right hand, tap the left little finger, then the other left fingers. As each finger is
touched, it curls under.
JUST TALKING
GOOD-BYE: Make the sign for "future."
TO KNOW: Hold the right hand on the right side of the chest at the level of the heart, with
thumb and index finger extended. Then move the hand slightly upwards and outwards. With a
wrist movement pivot the hand until the palm is turned up, the thumb and index finger still
extended and the other fingers closed. At this point the thumb should be pointing up and the
index finger pointing to the left.
MISTAKE: Hold both hands open, parallel to one another, palms facing. Then slide the right
hand under the left as though hiding something there.
NOT, CAN NOT: Raise the right hand obliquely (slanted with fingers together) a short distance
in front of the chest. Point the right index finger towards the middle of your left side. Then move
the right index finger forward until it comes into contact with the palm of the left hand. In
anticipation of this contact the left hand has been vertically turned towards the chest. Finally,
pull the right index finger briskly back.
PLEASE: Hold the right hand against the chest. Move it down slowly towards the ground, palm
up. Done in reverse, this sign means "give me."
THANK YOU: Extend both open hands, palms down, in a forward direction. Then lower them
as far as possible.
TO WISH: Turn to the side and close your left hand, leaving the index finger only partly curled.
Bring the hand to the mouth and touch the lips, then firmly lower the hand towards the ground.
This sign is also used to mean "energy" and "I wish."
YES: Place the back of the right hand on the right side of the chest near the shoulder. The
index finger is extended; the other fingers are closed, the thumb resting on the middle finger.
Move the hand slightly to the left, at the same time closing the index finger over the thumb.
PEOPLE
PALEFACE, WHITE PERSON: With the right hand held horizontally, palm down, in front of the
forehead at the level of the eyebrows. Then move it to the right.
BLACK RACE, AFRICAN-AMERICAN: Make the sign for "Paleface." Then point to something
black. Native Americans usually pointed to their own eyebrows or hair.
HE, SHE, YOU: Point with the right index finger in the direction of the person referred to.
PEOPLE: Hold both hands at chest level, index fingers extended upwards, the tips of the
thumbs touching, the other fingers closed. Then move each hand to its own side. Some tribes
place both hands on the chest with the backs of the hands facing outwards.
QUARREL: Raise the hands to neck level and hold then about 8 inches apart, index fingers
pointing up, the other fingers closed. Then alternately move the right hand to the right and the
left hand to the left. Repeat this several times.
TO SPEAK: If a short conversation is involved, one in which one person is speaking to another,
press the nail
ARROW: Bring the left hand close to the chest, with the index finger and thumb forming a ring
(as though holding a bow). Grasp the ring with the right hand and make the motion of pulling
back a bowstring.
BASKET: Make the sign for "kettle," then wiggle the fingers to suggest the action of basket-
weaving.
BLANKET: Close both hands and draw them up to the shoulders, as though pulling a blanket up
on you. Then move the right hand towards the left and the left towards the right so that the arms
cross and the right hand is closer to the body. Stop when the two wrists come into contact.
BOAT: Bring your hands together in a cup to represent the hull of a ship. Then move them
forward to indicate travel. If a canoe is meant, make the gesture for paddling. If a rowboat,
pretend to row.
DRUM: First arrange both hands to simulate the shape of a drum. Keep the left hand in place
and motionless and use the right hand as a drumstick. Pretend to strike the drum several times.
KETTLE: Form an incomplete circle with both hands, the index fingers touching but not the
thumbs. Drop the right hand and make the motion of lifting by passing it underneath. With the
left hand, pretend to grasp a handle.
MONEY: Hold the right hand halfway up the chest, with the thumb and index finger forming an
incomplete circle. This is the same as the sign or "medal." Indians were very fond of medals
and the whites bestowed medals abundantly on them in order to gain their confidence and favor.
TOBACCO: Hold the left hand open, palm up, fingers together. Place the edge of the right
hand on the left palm. With the fleshy part of the right hand, rub the left palm in a circular
manner, as though picking up bits of tobacco.
DRESS AND ADORNMENT
CLOTHING, COSTUME: Place your hands flat against the upper part of the chest and move
them down to just below the waist.
COLOR: Rub the fingertips of the right hand in a circular pattern on the back of the left hand.
Usually after making the sign, you point to an object having this color.
MOCCASINS: Bend over so that you can touch your lower legs. Then place your hands flat
against the shins, palms in, with the thumbs and index fingers pointing down and the other
fingers squeezing the sides of the legs.
TATTOOED: Press several times with the right fingertips on the spot where the tattoo is. If it is
on the right arm, use the left fingertips.
WAR PAINT: Rub the right cheek in a circular motion with the tips of the right fingers.
ON THE TRAIL
TO GO: Hold the right hand near the chest, palm up, fingers together and extended. Then
move the hand briskly towards the person addressed.
TO RIDE A HORSE: Make the sign for "horse." Then move the hands forward, making a
succession of small curves.
TRACK: Make the sign for "to walk" and then point to the ground.
WALK: If people are involved, hold the hands in front of the chest, side by side, palms down
and fingers extended and held together. Then describe an oval in the air with your right hand.
Do the same with the left hand. When the left hand is down, move the right hand over it and
begin again. If animals are involved, do the gestures with the hands joined.
ON THE WARPATH
TO CAPTURE: Clutch your shoulders with your hands. Then, with closed fists, cross your wrists
in front of your body.
TO DIE, DEATH: Hold the right hand vertically, palm turned towards the chest. Hold the left
hand under the right, with the left index finger pointing towards the right hand. Move the left
hand forward, passing it under the right hand, describing a slight curve.
ESCAPE: Close both hands and place one wrist on the other. Then separate them with an
abrupt gesture, thrusting the left hand to the left side and the right hand to the right side. Then
make the sign "to go."
TO EXTERMINATE: Place the inner edge of the left hand on the chest, with the palm up. Then
tap the left hand with the right hand.
TO FIGHT: Hold your hands tightly clenched and slightly in front of you, at shoulder level. Then
move them briskly towards the person addressed. Repeat this several times.
FRIEND: Raise the right hand to shoulder level, with the index and middle fingers extended
upwards and held together, and with the other fingers closed.
PEACE: Place the hands in front of the chest, with the left palm turned up.
WAR: Clench both fists at your sides at waist level. Then move them up and forward.
WOUND, WOUNDED: With the index finger of the right hand, touch the chest just above the
heart.
TRADE
TO CONDUCT BUSINESS; TO NEGOTIATE: Hold both forearms raised, hands closed, index
fingers pointing up. Then lower the hands together, passing them in front of the chest.
DECISION: Hold the left hand open, palm up. Place the right hand vertically above the left
moving it up from the side of the waist rapidly.
END, TO FINISH: Hold the left hand vertically on the left side of chest, fingers held together
and pointing up. Then rapidly lower the right hand, held open, letting it graze the tips of the left
fingers in passing.
TO EXCHANGE, TRADE: Place both hands at shoulder level, index fingers pointing up. Lower
the hands and pass one hand in front of the other, describing a quarter circle.
TO EXPLAIN: Hold the right hand open, at mouth level, with palm up and fingers spread. Then,
keeping the wrist stationary, pivot the hand to the right.
GIVE ME: Extend the right hand forward in a gesture of asking for something. Then bring it
towards the shoulder.
HOW MUCH?: With fingers outstretched and palm down, hold the left hand at neck level at a 45
degree angle towards the right hand, which is held slightly forward of the left. Then, with the
index finger of the right hand, tap the left little finger, then the other left fingers. As each finger is
touched, it curls under.
JUST TALKING
GOOD-BYE: Make the sign for "future."
TO KNOW: Hold the right hand on the right side of the chest at the level of the heart, with
thumb and index finger extended. Then move the hand slightly upwards and outwards. With a
wrist movement pivot the hand until the palm is turned up, the thumb and index finger still
extended and the other fingers closed. At this point the thumb should be pointing up and the
index finger pointing to the left.
MISTAKE: Hold both hands open, parallel to one another, palms facing. Then slide the right
hand under the left as though hiding something there.
NOT, CAN NOT: Raise the right hand obliquely (slanted with fingers together) a short distance
in front of the chest. Point the right index finger towards the middle of your left side. Then move
the right index finger forward until it comes into contact with the palm of the left hand. In
anticipation of this contact the left hand has been vertically turned towards the chest. Finally,
pull the right index finger briskly back.
PLEASE: Hold the right hand against the chest. Move it down slowly towards the ground, palm
up. Done in reverse, this sign means "give me."
THANK YOU: Extend both open hands, palms down, in a forward direction. Then lower them
as far as possible.
TO WISH: Turn to the side and close your left hand, leaving the index finger only partly curled.
Bring the hand to the mouth and touch the lips, then firmly lower the hand towards the ground.
This sign is also used to mean "energy" and "I wish."
YES: Place the back of the right hand on the right side of the chest near the shoulder. The
index finger is extended; the other fingers are closed, the thumb resting on the middle finger.
Move the hand slightly to the left, at the same time closing the index finger over the thumb.
PEOPLE
PALEFACE, WHITE PERSON: With the right hand held horizontally, palm down, in front of the
forehead at the level of the eyebrows. Then move it to the right.
BLACK RACE, AFRICAN-AMERICAN: Make the sign for "Paleface." Then point to something
black. Native Americans usually pointed to their own eyebrows or hair.
HE, SHE, YOU: Point with the right index finger in the direction of the person referred to.
PEOPLE: Hold both hands at chest level, index fingers extended upwards, the tips of the
thumbs touching, the other fingers closed. Then move each hand to its own side. Some tribes
place both hands on the chest with the backs of the hands facing outwards.
QUARREL: Raise the hands to neck level and hold then about 8 inches apart, index fingers
pointing up, the other fingers closed. Then alternately move the right hand to the right and the
left hand to the left. Repeat this several times.
TO SPEAK: If a short conversation is involved, one in which one person is speaking to another,
press the nail
