Sign Language Among North American Indians Compared With That Among Other Peoples Part 31

He, however, describes the Turkish gesture sign for _truth_ to be "gently bowing with head inclined to the right." This sidewise inclination may be what has been called the shake of the head in affirmation.

Another: Wave the hand from the mouth, extending the thumb from the index and closing the other three fingers. (_Burton_.)

Gesticulate vertically downward and in front of the body with the extended forefinger (right hand usually), the remaining fingers and thumb closed, their nails down. (_Creel_; _Arapaho_ I.)

Right hand elevated to the level and in front of the shoulder, two first fingers somewhat extended, thumb resting against the middle finger; sudden motion in a curve forward and downward. (_Cheyenne_ II.) It has been suggested that the correspondence between this gesture and the one given by the same gesturer for sitting (made by holding the right hand to one side, fingers and thumb drooping, and striking downward to the ground or object to be sat upon) seemingly indicates that the origin of the former is in connection with the idea of "resting," or "settling a question." It is however at least equally probable that the forward and downward curve is an abbreviation of the sign for _truth, true_, a typical description of which follows given by (_Dakota_ I). The sign for _true_ can often be interchanged with that for _yes_, in the same manner as the several words.

The index of the horizontal hand (M), other fingers closed, is carried straight outward from the mouth. This is also the sign for _truth_.

(_Dakota_ I.) "But one tongue."

Extend the right index, the thumb against it, nearly close the other fingers, and holding it about a foot in front of the right breast, bend the hand from the wrist downward until the end of the index has pa.s.sed about six inches through an arc. Some at the same time move the hand forward a little. (_Dakota_ IV.) "A nod; the hand representing the head and the index the nose."

Hold the naturally closed hand before the right side of the breast, or shoulder, leaving the index and thumb extended, then throw the hand downward, bring the index against the inner side of the thumb.

(_Dakota_ VI, VII, VIII.) Fig. 280. Compare also Fig. 61, p. 286, _supra_, Quintilian's sign for approbation.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 280.]

The right hand, with the forefinger only extended and pointing forward, is held before and near the chest. It is then moved forward one or two feet, usually with a slight curve downward. (_Mandan and Hidatsa_ I.)

Bend the right arm, pointing toward the chest with the index finger; unbend, throwing the hand up and forward. (_Omaha_ I.)

Another: Close the three fingers, close the thumb over them, extend forefinger, and then shake forward and down. This is more emphatic than the preceding, and signifies, _Yes, I know_. (_Omaha_ I.)

The right arm is raised to head with the index finger in type-position (I1), modified by being more opened. From aside the head the hands sweep in a curve to the right ear as of something entering or hearing something; the finger is then more open and carried direct to the ground as something emphatic or direct. (_Oto and Missouri_ I.) "'I hear,' emphatically symbolized." It is doubted if this sign is more than an expression of understanding which may or may not imply positive a.s.sent. It would not probably be used as a direct affirmative, for instance, in response to a question.

The hand open, palm downward, at the level of the breast, is moved forward with a quick downward motion from the wrist, imitating a bow of the head. (_Iroquois_ I.)

Throw the closed right hand, with the index extended and bent, as high as the face, and let it drop again naturally; but as the hand reaches its greatest elevation the index is fully extended and suddenly drawn into the palm, the gesture resembling a beckoning from above toward the ground. (_Kaiowa_ I; _Comanche_ III; _Apache_ II; _Wichita_ II.)

Quick motion of the right hand forward from the mouth; first position about six inches from the mouth and final as far again away. In first position the index finger is extended, the others closed; in final, the index loosely closed, thrown in that position as the hand is moved forward, as though hooking something with it; palm of hand out.

(_Sahaptin_ I.)

Another: Move right hand to a position in front of the body, letting arm hang loosely at the side, the thumb standing alone, all fingers hooked except forefinger, which is partially extended (E 1, palm upward). The sign consists in moving the forefinger from its partially extended position to one similar to the others, as though making a sly motion for some one to come to you. This is done once each tune the a.s.sent is made. More emphatic than the preceding. (_Sahaptin_ I.) "We are together, think alike."

_Deaf-mute natural sign_:

Indicate by nodding the head. (_Ballard_.)

_Deaf-mute sign_:

The French mutes unite the extremities of the index and thumb so as to form a circle and move the hand downward with back vertical and turned outward. It has been suggested in explanation that the circle formed and exhibited is merely the letter O, the initial of the word _oui_.

_Fiji sign_:

a.s.sent is expressed, not by a downward nod as with ourselves, but by an upward nod; the head is jerked backward. a.s.sent is also expressed by uplifting the eyebrows. (_Fison_.)

_Turkish sign_:

One or two nods of the head forward. (_Barnum_.)

Other remarks and ill.u.s.trations upon the signs for _yes_ are given on page 286, _supra_.

TRIBAL SIGNS.

ABSAROKA OR CROW.

The hands held out each side, and striking the air in the manner of flying. (_Long_.)

Imitate the flapping of the bird's wings with the two hands, palms downward, brought close to the shoulder. (_Burton_.)

Imitate the flapping of a bird's wings with the two hands, palms to the front and brought close to the shoulder. (_Creel_.)

Place the flat hand as high as and in front or to the side of the right shoulder, move it up and down, the motion occurring at the wrist. For more thorough representation both hands are sometimes employed. (_Arapaho_ II; _Cheyenne_ V; _Dakota_ V, VI, VIII; _Ponka_ II; _Kaiowa_ I; _Pani_ I; _Comanche_ III; _Apache_ II; _Wichita_ II.) "Bird's wing."

Both hands extended, with fingers joined (W), held near the shoulders, and flapped to represent the wings of a crow. (_Dakota_ II, III.)

At the height of the shoulders and a foot outward from them, move the upright hands forward and backward twice or three times from the wrist, palms forward, fingers and thumbs extended and separated a little; then place the back or the palm of the upright opened right hand against the upper part of the forehead; or half close the fingers, placing the end of the thumb against the ends of the fore and middle fingers, and then place the back of the hand against the forehead. This sign is also made by the Arapahos. (_Dakota_ IV.) "To imitate the flying of a bird, and also indicate the manner in which the Absaroka wear their hair."

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 281.]

Make with the arms the motion of flapping wings. (_Kutine_ I.)

The flat right hand, palm outward to the front and right, is held in front of the right shoulder, and quickly waved back and forth a few times. When made for the information of one ignorant of the common sign, both hands are used, and the hands are moved outward from the body, though still near the shoulder. (_Shoshoni and Banak_ I.) "Wings, i.e., of a crow." Fig. 281.

APACHE.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 282.]

Make either of the signs for POOR, IN PROPERTY, by rubbing the index back and forth over the extended left forefinger; or, by pa.s.sing the extended index alternately along the upper and lower sides of the extended left forefinger from tip to base. (_Kaiowa_ I; _Comanche_ III; _Apache_ II; Wichita II.) Fig. 282. "It is said that when the first Apache came to the region they now occupy he was asked who or what he was, and not understanding the language he merely made the sign for _poor_, which expressed his condition."

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 283.]

Rub the back of the extended left forefinger from end to end with the extended index. (_Comanche_ II; _Ute_ I.) "Poor, poverty-stricken."

----, Coyotero.

Place the back of the right hand near the end of the foot, the fingers curved upward, to represent the turned-up toes of the moccasins.

(_Pima and Papago_ I; _Apache_ I.) Fig. 283.

----, Mescalero.

Same sign as for LIPAN _q.v._ (_Kaiowa_ I; _Comanche_ III; _Apache_ II; _Wichita_ II.)

----, Warm Spring.