Chapter III: Introduction: Its Antiquity (2)

=Act=, as in a play. Sign _Face_, _Two_, _Dance_ (that is dancing with a mask) (not established).

Fr. _jouer_; Ger. _spielen_.

=Act= or =Deed=. See _Work_.

=Add to= (Piling up). Flat left hand pointing to the right and front, palm up, forearm horizontal; the palm of flat right hand is placed on top of left hand a number of times, the left hand being raised a couple of inches each time, to meet it; the movement ends with left hand as high as top of the head. Often it is done as in the illustration but with palm of left down.

=Adjectives=, see _Comparative_.

=Adulation.= Kissing the back of the hand. (Pop.) Not Indian, but they understand it now. (R. B.)

Fr. _la flatterie_; Ger. _die Schmeichelei_.

=Advance.= Both flat hands back up, pointing forward, tandem, right in advance, six inches ahead (the fingers extended) moved forward together in gentle jerks. Compare _Move camp_.

Fr. _avancer_; Ger. _vorschreiten_.

=Advance Guard= (The one ahead, looking). Flat left hand back up, pointing forward, breast high; place G right just before it, then turn right G into V to mean _Looking_. Also used for _Scout_. Compare _Ahead_.

Fr. _l’avant-garde_; Ger. _die Vorhut_.

=Advise= or =Advice=. Sign _Talk_, _Make_, _Way_. (C) Sign _Help_ and _Talk_ would be near it.

Fr. _conseiller_; Ger. _raten_.

=Afraid= (Shaking heart). Sign _Heart_ then shake it up and down two or three times, to indicate the throbbing action of the heart under influence of fear. Or more strongly, sign _Heart_ and then finish by raising the hand until its back strikes the chin, to mean the heart rises in the throat.

Fr. _effrayé_; Ger. _ängstlich_.

=Afraid= or =Cowardly= (Seger says this means Buffalo backing out of fight; that is, “drawing in his horns.”) Hold out both G hands level, backs out, G fingers hooked like horns, draw them straight back together for six inches. Mostly but one hand is used. Compare _Bring_.

Fr. _lâche_, _poltron_; Ger. _feige_.

=Afraid of no one.= Point right G in several directions, then add _Afraid_, _Not_.

Fr. _peur de personne_; Ger. _vor niemand Angst haben_.

=After=, =Behind=, or =Late= (Time or space). G fingers pointing forward at an angle in front of body; left in advance. Draw the right over and behind the left. Draw it back a little way for a _little bit after_; but far back and low down for _a long way behind_. Some finish by clenching the right hand.

If it meant that _one_ is behind _the rest_, use the flat left hand, palm down, in advance, with right G behind.

Fr. _après_; Ger. _hinter_, _nach_.

=Afternoon.= Make a circle of right thumb and index and sweep it over the afternoon half of the sky from the zenith down. Compare _Sunset_.

Fr. _l’après-midi_; Ger. _der Nachmittag_.

=Again.= See _Repeat_ or _More_.

=Against=, i.e., =Go Against=. Thrust the tips of the flat right, back out, square against the palm of the flat left held pointing level forward, back to left. See also _Oppose_. Compare _Quandary_.

Fr. _contre_; Ger. _wider_.

=Agent, Indian.= Sign _Whiteman_ and _Chief, Give all_. The Southern Cheyennes sign _Chief_ and _pull teeth_, because their first agent had false upper teeth.

=Agitate.= See _Excite_.

=Agree.= Sign _You_, _I_, _think_, _same_. Sometimes use _Equal_. See also _Treaty_.

Fr. _s’accorder_; Ger. _übereinstimmen_.

=Agreement.= See _Treaty_.

=Ago=, =Time back=, =Past=, or =Back=. Sign _Time_ and point back over the right shoulder with right finger G. Sometimes the thumb or the whole hand is used instead of the index. See _Back_.

Fr. _passé_, _il y a quelque temps_; Ger. _vorher_, _früher_.

=Ahead= or =Before= (In time). Hold out the left G pointing forward and up; swing the right G over the left to a place in front of it, both pointing the same way. Some finish by closing and lowering the right fist. Compare _After_.

Fr. _avant_; Ger. _vor_.

=Ahead= or =Before others= (In space or rank). Hold out flat left, back up, near breast, pointing forward and slightly upward; then hold right G just before it. Compare _Advance Guard_, which it exactly resembles, except that this omits _Looking_.

Fr. _en avant_; Ger. _vor_.

=Air.= See _Wind_.

=Alight= or =Descend=. Indicate from what, then drop right V fingers downward onto flat left palm. See _Dismount_.

Fr. _descendre_; Ger. _absteigen_, _hinuntersteigen_.

=Alike=, to =Look like= or =Resemble= (Of persons). Make the signs _Face_ and _Equal_.

Fr. _semblable_; Ger. _ähnlich sein_.

=Alive=, =Live=, =Life=, or =All right= (Walking about, upright). Hold index of right hand upright, move it about shoulder high, forward in long slow zigzags sidewise, always turning it so as to move palm forward. Also used for _Be_ or _Exist_. See _Life_, _Deer_, and _Nothing_. The Blackfeet use the sign _Grow_ for this idea. See _Wandering_.

Fr. _vivant_; Ger. _lebendig_.

=All.= With right hand flat and back up, describe a large horizontal circle, shoulder high.

Fr. _tout_; Ger. _alles_.

=All gone= or =Empty= (Hands swept clean). Both 5 hands in front of body, backs out, right nearer; loosely brush fingers of right on left palm, moving right outward, then reverse and repeat. Sometimes begin with sign _All_. See _Wipe out_.

Fr. _vide_; Ger. _leer_.

=Alliance= or =Friendship= (Linked together). Form two circles with thumbs and index fingers, and link them together, other fingers closed. Some use only index fingers hooked together.

Fr. _l’alliance_; Ger. _das Bündnis_.

=All right.= See _Good_ or sometimes _Alive_.

=All the time.= Hold up the left G, pointing upward, forward, and to the right; strike on it with right G near the tip, then every inch or so up to the arm. See _Many times_, _Cheyenne_ and _Buy_.

Fr. _toujours_; Ger. _immerzu_.

=Alone= or =Only= (Living and moving singly). Move the right G hand, pointed upward, slowly forward and to left in a line slightly waving to right and left. Compare _Alive_, _Life_, _Man_, _One_ and _Up there_.

Fr. _seul_; Ger. _allein_.

=Already.= See _Now_.

=Always=, =Ever=, or =Forever= (Going on in cycles). With elbow at side, hold the right G hand pointing forward; move hand forward, describing circles with the index, the result a spiral, ending with the index raised. (Frosted, borrowed from the Deaf Code.)

=Always.= Sign _Long time_, _Wiped out_, and _Not_. Sometimes sign _Stop, Not_. (Blackfoot signs.) See _All the time_.

Fr. _toujours_; Ger. _immer_.

=Ambitious= (Pushing to rise). Indicate a person, then sign _Push_ and _Rising man_, or omit last.

Fr. _ambitieux_; Ger. _ehrgeizig_.

=American.= See _Nationalities_.

=Ammunition= (Cartridges in belt). Lay the flat hands, palm in, on belt, then add _Shoot_ by shooting the right G forward. (Not Cheyenne, but understood.)

Fr. _les munitions_; Ger. _die Munition_.

=Among.= Hold the left 5 hand in front of neck, pointing upward, move right G index (pointing down) in and through. Sometimes use _With_.

Fr. _parmi_; Ger. _unter_.

=Ancestor.= Repeat the sign for _Father_ several times, with the flat left hand held back out on the breast, and each time pushed farther away, the _Father_ sign made beyond it. (Crow sign.) The Cheyennes sign _Father_ and _Old_.

Fr. _l’ancêtre_; Ger. _der Vorvater_.

=And= or =Also= (Meet and go together). The spread flat right hand, breast high, back forward, drawn six inches to the right and closed to flat hand. (Deaf sign.) Compare _Horse_. The Cheyennes use _Equal_ or _Increase_, according to the sense; or sometimes _With_ or _Add_.

Fr. _et_, _aussi_; Ger. _und_, _auch_.

=Angry= (Mind twisted). Twist the A hand against or near the forehead.

Seger maintains that this means a “mad buffalo breaking off his own horns.” Possibly he is right; for the older signs make the heart, not the head, the place of the mind, and this must be a very old sign. Some of the Blackfeet make this sign over the heart. Some grind on the heart with the flat right fist, palm in, after pointing to the person; meaning, “he grinds my heart.” See _Sorrow_.

Fr. _en colère_; Ger. _böse_, _zornig_.

=Animal= or =Quadruped= (Jumper). The compressed right hand, back up, advanced in short jumps, as in _Frog_ and _Weasel_. Sometimes the sign _Ground_ is made, first by sweeping the flat right across, palm up. “Leaping” is generic for the quadruped as “Flying” is generic for _Bird_. Compare _Jump_. Used by Blackfeet. The Cheyennes considered it incomplete.

Fr. _l’animal_; Ger. _das Tier_.

=Annihilate.= See _Exterminate_ or _Wipe out_.

=Annoyance.= See _Trouble_.

=Annul.= See _Rub it out_.

=Another= or =Other= (one other). Hold out flat right, back up, swing it slowly up, out, _far to right_ and down low, turning it palm up. Compare _Fall_ and _Lie down_.

Fr. _un autre_; Ger. _ein anderer_.

=Another person.= As above, but use right G. (Blackfoot.) In this, as usual, the index up alone means _Man_. This gesture is so natural that many whites use it; as, for example, in saying impatiently: “That was another man altogether.”

=Answer= (Talk come back). Push right G from the mouth in the sign _Talk_, then draw back reversed; that is, pointing to one’s own face or ear. (Blackfoot.) The Cheyennes use _Talk_, _Arrived here_.

=Answer=, =Reply=, =Respond= (The word that follows the other). Right G index upright on lips, left six inches ahead and parallel; move them together toward the person. (Frosted, borrowed from the Deaf Code.)

Fr. _la réponse_; Ger. _die Antwort_.

=Antelope= (Pronged horns of the animal). Bring the L hands palm toward and alongside of the head, near the base of the ears.

Fr. _l’antelope_; Ger. _die Antilope_.

=Anxious.= See _Want_.

=Any= (Scattering). Place the right A hand near left side, elbow high; draw it down and out to right side in a shaky curve. (Deaf sign.) Use _Here_ and _There_. (Cheyennes.)

Fr. _quelconque_, _quelque_; Ger. _irgend ein_.

=Apache.= See _Indian_.

=Appear=, =To come into view=. See _Come into view_.

=Appears=, =Seems=, or =Looks like= (See and Same). Hold up flat right hand, thumb toward self, shoulder high; throw it forward and turn palm toward self, fixing the eyes on it and sign _Same_. Sometimes use the sign for _Look_ before _Same_. (Frosted; probably adopted from Deaf Code.)

Fr. _paraître_; Ger. _aussehen_, _erscheinen_.

=Applause.= See _Approval_.

=Approach= or =Moving toward=. Hold partly bent left hand well in front, breast high, to left side, palm to you and right similarly to right, but quite near to you; move the latter _slowly_ forward toward former, but not to touch it by several inches. Some use right G. See _Arrive there_ and _Quandary_.

Fr. _approcher_; Ger. _näher kommen_.

=Approval=, =Applause=, or =Praise=. Make the motion of clapping the hands, but without noise. A white man’s sign, but now generally understood.

Fr. _l’approbation_; Ger. _der Beifall_.

=Arise= or =Get up=. Hold out right G, back down; raise the arm with a swing and snap and bend the wrist till the finger points straight up. For a large number, use both 5 hands.

Fr. _se lever_; Ger. _aufstehen_.

=Arithmetic.= See _Numeral_.

=Around.= See _About_.

=Arrange= (Parfleches placed in teepee). With flat right, slightly curved, back out, strike half a dozen times in a circle, turning to watch the hand; then add _Good_. Sometimes omit _Good_. Or, sign _Work_ and _Fix_. See _Ready_.

Fr. _arranger_; Ger. _ordnen_, _einrichten_.

=Arrest= or =Imprison= (To seize hold of and tie at wrists). Sign _Seize_ and then add _Prisoner_; that is, cross the wrists, hands closed. Sometimes the upright left forearm with S hand, back to left, is held near the left shoulder, grasp left wrist with right hand and pull it a little distance to right.

Fr. _arrêter_; Ger. _verhaften_.

=Arrive here= or =Get here=. Hold the flat left hand, back out, near the breast, fingers pointing to right; carry right G, back to front, well out in front of body; bring the right hand briskly against back of left. Often the flat right is used instead of right G.

Fr. _arriver ici_; Ger. _hier ankommen_.

=Arrive there= or =Reach=. Hold the flat left hand, back to front, well out in front of body, about height of neck, pointing to right; bring right G hand, palm outward, in front of and close to neck, carry the right hand out sharply to strike the palm of the left.

Fr. _y arriver_; Ger. _hinkommen_.

=Arrogance.= A haughty lifting of the eyebrows and sidelong, disdainful look down as upon an inferior. (Scott.) Sign _Head, Big_. In the popular code, indicate big chest. See _Conceit_ and _Pride_.

Fr. _l’arrogance_; Ger. _die Anmaszung_.

=Arrow.= Make, with a long swing, the motion of drawing an arrow from the left hand.

Fr. _la flèche_; Ger. _der Pfeil_.

=As= or =Than=. Both hands, G fingers parallel, level, forward near right side; carry them over to left in similar position. (A sign borrowed from the Deaf, Frosted.) This is the same as _Who_; only the context can show which is meant. Sign _Same_ or _Beside_.

Fr. _comme_, _que_; Ger. _wie_, _als_.

=Ascend.= Indicate the object (hill, tree, etc.), then press right G against it, raising the same in jerks. Compare _Famous_.

Fr. _monter_; Ger. _hinaufsteigen_.

=Ashamed= or =Bashful= (Drawing blanket over face). Flat hands pointing up, palms in, close to face and moved in till the _wrists crossed_, right nearest the face; bow the head a little. Compare _Blind_ and _Dark_. The bowing of the head was not generally done, yet is the only feature to distinguish it from _Dark_.

Fr. _honteux_; Ger. _verschämt_, _verlegen_.

=Ashamed= (I am ashamed). Cover the face and eyes with both hands. (Pop.)

Fr. _avoir honte_; Ger. _sich schämen_.

=Ashamed= (You should be). See _Shame_.

=Ashes.= Sign _Fire_ and _Powder_.

Fr. _la cendre_; Ger. _die Asche_.

=Ask.= See _Beg_.

=Assiniboine.= See _Indian_.

=Astonishment= or =Wonder=. Lay the flat palm of left hand over the open mouth and draw the body backward. Sometimes, also, raise right hand flat, palm forward.

Fr. _l’étonnement_; Ger. _die Verwunderung_.

=Astray.= See _Lost_.

=Astride.= See _Horseman_.

=At.= Hold left flat hand, back up, pointing partly up; strike the back with right flat hand.

Fr. _à_; Ger. _an_, _auf_.

=Attempt.= See _Try_.

=Attention= (A command). See _Call_.

=Aunt.= Sign _Father_ (or _Mother_) and _Sister_. Or, sign _Woman_ with right, then tuck compressed right, point down, under left arm pit. (R. B.)

Fr. _la tante_; Ger. _die Tante_.

=Aurora= or =Northern Lights=. Both hands, backs down, half closed, thumb and finger tips together, raised very high and spread with a sweep to indicate flashes. It should be done facing north. It is helped if the hands when at the highest are swung apart in an arch.

Fr. _l’aurore boréale_; Ger. _das Nordlicht_.

=Automobile.= See _Motor car_.

=Autumn= (Leaf-falling time). Make the sign for _Tree_ with both hands, then for _Leaf_ with the right near the left finger tips, then drop the leaf with tremulous, wavy motion down and to right.

Fr. _l’automne_; Ger. _der Herbst_.

=Avoid= or =Miss=. Hold up G hands, move them toward each other as in _Meet_, but carry left well outside, past and beyond without meeting. Compare _Meet_, _Trade_, and _Mistake_.

Fr. _éviter_; Ger. _vermeiden_.

=Awl.= Bore right G finger into left palm. Or, over the left G as in sewing.

Fr. _l’alêne_; Ger. _die Ahle_.

=Axe= or =Hatchet=. Hold out the flat right hand, back to right, wrist bent downward. Make as though chopping with it; that is, strike down once or twice. Some also grasp it near the elbow with left index and thumb, but the Cheyennes omit this. For _Hatchet_, indicate _Size_. See _Tomahawk_.

Fr. _la hache_; Ger. _das Beil_.

B

=Baby.= Swing the flat right hand (sometimes S hand) in the hollow of the left arm as though it were a baby. Add signs for sex and size when needed. Compare _Tomahawk_.

Fr. _le bébé_; Ger. _das Kindchen_, _der Säugling_.

=Bachelor.= Sign _Man_, _Marriage_, _No_. (C)

Fr. _le célibataire_; Ger. _der Junggeselle_.

=Back= or =Again=. See _Repeat_.

=Back=, =Backward=, =Ago=, or =Past= (In time or space). Throw right 5 hand thumb first back over right shoulder once or twice. See _Ago_.

Fr. _en arrière_; Ger. _hinten_, _zurück_.

=Backbite.= Lay the right V hand on the mouth, as in _Lie_, then lay it on the back of the right shoulder. (Blackfoot.)

=Backbite.= Sign _Scold_, _Talk_, and _Hide_.

Fr. _médire de_; Ger. _verleumden_.

=Bacon= (Meat and thin). Hold out the flat left hand, thumb edge up; with thumb and finger tips of right back down, rub little finger of left. Hadley gives this with the right hand over. It makes a better sign, but I never saw it used that way. Compare _Meat_ and _Thin_ and _Oil_.

Fr. _le lard_; Ger. _der Speck_.

=Bad= or =Evil= (Suddenly thrown away). Hold clenched fist, back up, near breast; throw it forward, down, and aside, opening the hand. Sometimes for emphasis both hands are used. Compare _Abandon_, _Charge_, and _Hate_.

Fr. _mauvais_; Ger. _schlecht_.

=Badger= (Walks under ground). Sign _Hole_, _Enter_, and _Walk_. The Blackfeet sign is _Striped-face_ with size and pawing indicated.

Fr. _le blaireau_; Ger. _der Dachs_.

=Bad Taste.= See _Taste Bad_.

=Bag.= Left C hand, back out; drop compressed right into this; then sometimes indicate thickness with flat hands pointing straight up.

Fr. _le sac_; Ger. _der Sack_.

=Bald.= Lay the flat right hand on the forehead, draw it up and back to the top of the head. Touch the hair and sign _Wiped-out_. (Blackfoot.)

Fr. _chauve_; Ger. _kahlköpfig_.

=Band= or =Patrol= (Banded together). Hold the compressed left hand pointing up; encircle it with the right forefinger and thumb. (Chasing Bear.) Not a true Indian sign and not used, but would understand it. (Seger.) Sometimes use _Bunch_ or _Few_. See _Tribe_ or _Troop_.

Fr. _la bande_, _la patrouille_; Ger. _die Schar_, _die Truppe_.

=Bankrupt.= See _Done_.

=Bar= or =Saloon= (House of drink). Sign _Crazy_, _Drink_, _House_.

Fr. _le cabaret_, _la buvette_; Ger. _die Bierstube_, _die Kneipe_.

=Bark= (Like a dog). Sign _Talk_, but use index and middle finger against thumb.

Fr. _aboyer_; Ger. _bellen_.

=Barracks.= Sign _White_, _Soldier_, _House_.

Fr. _la caserne_; Ger. _die Kaserne_.

=Barren.= Sign _Born_ and _All gone_.

Fr. _stérile_; Ger. _unfruchtbar_.

=Bar up.= See _Fins_.

=Baseball signs.= These, of course, are not Indian; they differ locally, but the three following are used by most umpires:

_A strike._ The sign “Yes.”

_Out._ The Same as the “No” sign (as tho striking something to one
side with the back of hand).

_Safe._ Hand raised as in “Easy.”

=Bashful.= See _Ashamed_.

=Basin= or =Hollow= (A spread out circle). Hold the L hands low in front, backs up, forming an incomplete horizontal circle, not touching, the index fingers nearer each other than thumbs; swing the hands apart by wrist action so the index fingers point nearly forward.

Fr. _le bassin_; Ger. _die Vertiefung_, _die Grube_.

=Basket.= Sign _Kettle_, then interlock fingers as in _House of logs_, to show structure. The Cheyennes understand this, though usually they sign _Kettle_ and _Sew_.

=Basket.= Lock the fingers of the hollowed hands, backs down, join the thumbs as for a handle, then with the right hand grasp left thumb and raise the hand a few inches. (Sioux.) Compare _Corral_.

Fr. _le panier_; Ger. _der Korb_.

=Bat.= Sign _Night_ and zigzag flight; i.e., flat hands side by side, breast high, flapped first to right side next to left. (C)

Fr. _la chauve-souris_; Ger. _die Fledermaus_.

=Battle, Combat.= Sign _Fight_, after which make _Shoot_ with each hand toward the other. (C) Compare _Fight_ and _Kill_.

Fr. _la bataille_, _le combat_; Ger. _die Schlacht_.

=Battle-cry= or =War-cry.= Open the mouth as in saying “O” and pat it with flattened fingers of right hand. (C) The Cheyennes use _Yell_.

Fr. _le cri de bataille_; Ger. _der Schlachtruf_.

=Bay.= Sign _Water_, then bring right L hand well out in front of body, forming a horizontal half-circle. (C)

Fr. _la baie_; Ger. _die Bucht_.

=Bayonet.= Sign _Gun_, then lay left G index alongside right G, the latter one-third ahead. If there is doubt, indicate drawing it on the barrel tip.

Fr. _la baïonnette_; Ger. _das Bajonett_.

=Be, to be or exist= (Living). Sign _Alive_ and then finish with _Now_ or _Past_ to indicate tense, and _Many_ to indicate plural. Sometimes use _Dwell_ or _Recover_ for this idea. Compare _Alone_.

Fr. _étre_; Ger. _existieren_, _sein_.

=Beads.= Hold out the flat right, slightly hollow; drop it a little with a sidewise quivering to suggest the shimmering of a handful of beads. (C)

=Beads.= Simulate holding beads between the left index and thumb, while threading them with a needle in the right. For _Beadwork_ add a design or sign for _Work_.

Fr. _les perles_; Ger. _die Perlen_.

=Beans= (One picked out of a handful). Right hand flat, palm up, index and thumb joined with the tip of index projecting. (Chasing Bear. Understood by Cheyennes.)

Fr. _les haricots_; Ger. _die Bohnen_.

=Bear.= Hold out the Y hands, backs up, and strike both down; push both forward in a series of jerks, or swing down, forward and up.

=Bear.= Hold up flat fists near ears, palms forward, to indicate round ears. (Blackfoot.) Some indicate the paws by holding up both curved 5 hands.

Fr. _l’ours_; Ger. _der Bär_.

=Bear, Grizzly.= As above, but indicate the gray color.

Fr. _l’ours gris_; Ger. _der graue Bär_.

=Beard.= Hang the compressed right hand, point down, under chin. The hand or hands are differently placed for different cuts of whiskers.

Fr. _la barbe_; Ger. _der Bart_.

=Beat=, or =Overcome=. Use _Kill_.

=Beautiful=, =Handsome=, or =Pretty=. Hold up flat right hand, and look on the palm as in a mirror, then make the sign _Good_.

=Beautiful.= Draw the flat hand down near the face, back forward, and sign _Good_.

Fr. _beau_; Ger. _schön_.

=Beaver= (Tail of beaver striking mud or water). Hold left flat hand in front of body, left arm horizontal; strike up against the left palm once or twice with back of right flat hand.

Fr. _le castor_; Ger. _der Biber_.

=Because.= Sign _Consider_, then _Behold_. Understood by Cheyennes and Blackfeet, though not well established.

Fr. _parce que_; Ger. _weil_.

=Become= or =Turn into=. Sign _Grow_ and _Same_ or _Arrive there_.

Fr. _devenir_; Ger. _werden_.

=Bed= (Spreading blanket for sleep). Hold flat hands palms up, points forward, one behind the other, left ahead, push it forward, at same time draw back right, then add _Sleep_.

Fr. _le lit_; Ger. _das Bett_.

=Bee.= Sign _Fly_, _Arrow_, and _One_. (C) In Cheyenne, sign _Small_, _Bird_, _Make_, _Taste_.

Fr. _l’abeille_; Ger. _die Biene_.

=Before.= See _Ahead_.

=Before=, that is, =Future=. Sign for _Time_, but hold left hand near breast and swing right forward, up and over. Or sign _After_, _Many Sleeps_.

Fr. _avant_; Ger. _ehe_.

=Beg= (To ask alms). Hold out the flat right hand, palm up, as a beggar does. Swing it forward and upward, then draw it toward self, slightly curving the fingers.

Fr. _mendier_; Ger. _betteln_.

=Beg=, =I beg of you=, =Ask=, =I pray you=. Lay the flat hands together, palms touching, fingers pointing up (or clasp them) and hold them toward the person. A white sign now understood by the Indians. Compare _Pray_.

Fr. _supplier_; Ger. _bitten_.

=Begin=, =Commence=, =Must=, =Push=, =Try=, =Go ahead= (Start in a race). With elbow at sides and arms level, push fists forward two or three inches, right a little behind. Or use _Go_. See _Strong_.

Fr. _commencer_; Ger. _anfangen_, _beginnen_.

=Behavior.= See _Way_.

=Behind.= See _After_.

=Behold.= Hold out flat right, palm up, pointing forward and moved slowly down to below level. Sometimes use both hands. Compare _Show_.

Fr. _regardez!_; Ger. _siehe da!_

=Believe.= Sign _Think_, _Straight_.

Fr. _croire_; Ger. _glauben_.

=Belonging to.= See _Possession_.

=Below=, =Beneath=, or =Under=. Is the reverse of _Above_; which see.

Fr. _dessous_, _sous_; Ger. _unter_.

=Belt.= With both hands, make as though putting on a belt.

Fr. _la ceinture_; Ger. _der Gürtel_.

=Beneath.= See _Below_.

=Bend= or =Bent=. Take left index in right finger and thumb and bend the middle joint of it at right angles. Or sign _Break_ very slowly.

Fr. _plier_; Ger. _biegen_.

=Berry.= With right middle finger and thumb hold tip of right index, letting it project a little; add _Bushes_. Or, sign _Tree_, _Pick_, and _Eat_. This is a descriptive phrase rather than an established sign, but it is a good illustration of impromptu constructions which are continually made and are at once understood because in harmony with the main principles of Sign Talk. Compare _Fruit_, _Cherry_, and _Bullet_.

Fr. _la baie_; Ger. _die Beere_.

=Beside= or =By= (By the side of). Like _With_, but right G about three inches off left palm. Sometimes use _Close_.

Fr. _à côté de_, _près de_; Ger. _neben_.

=Bet= or =Wager= (Placing on each of two piles). Indicate the event, as _Race_, then sign _Place_; that is, hold out partly compressed hands backs up; swing both forward up and down nearly _together_ at finish.

Fr. _le pari_; Ger. _die Wette_.

=Between.= Hold up the flat hands, palm to palm, six inches apart; then thrust the right G on line close past left palm.

=Between.= Hold left V hand, fingers level, pointing to right (or straight up) and drop right G down between.

Fr. _entre_; Ger. _zwischen_.

=Beware=, =Caution=, or =Look out=. See _Warning_.

=Beyond= or =Other side=. Hold the flat left hand, back up, in front of body about ten inches, fingers pointing to right; bring flat right hand, back up, between left and body at same height, fingers pointing to left; swing the right hand upward, outward, and then downward on curve, beyond left hand, turning right hand back down in movement. Compare _Fall_ and _Other_.

Fr. _au-delà de_; Ger. _jenseits_.

=Bible.= Sign _Book_ and _Medicine_.

Fr. _la Bible_; Ger. _die Bibel_.

=Big.= Hold the curved 5 hands with palms toward each other, well out in front of the body, hands a little lower than shoulders and a few inches apart, pointing forward; separate hands, carrying right to right, left to left, keeping them opposite each other. Also used for _Long_. Compare _Great_ and _Long_.

Fr. _grand_, _gros_; Ger. _grosz_.

=Bighorn.= See _Sheep_.

=Bird.= With flat hands at the shoulders, palms down, imitate the motion of wings. Using different speeds for different birds. Compare _Fly_, which progresses.

Fr. _l’oiseau_; Ger. _der Vogel_.

=Birth.= See _Born_.

=Bison.= See _Buffalo_.

=Bit= (Of a bridle). Place the L hand palm down on the mouth.

Fr. _le frein_; Ger. _das Gebisz_.

=Bite.= Bring the right C hand, back outward and upward, a little in front of the body; snap sharply together the tips of the first and second fingers and the tip of thumb against the back of the left flat hand, repeating the motion. Some omit left hand. The Blackfeet make this from the mouth.

Fr. _mordre_; Ger. _beiszen_.

=Bitter= or =Sour=. Touch tongue with tip of right G and add _Bad_. Compare _Salt_, _Sugar_, _Taste_, _Taste bad_.

Fr. _amer_; Ger. _bitter_.

=Black.= See _Color_.

=Blackfoot.= See _Indian_.

=Blackguarding= or =Reviling= (Lies from both). Hold up right V, pointing nearly level forward, opposite right shoulder; left ditto at left shoulder; swing them alternately at each other.

Fr. _outrager_, _insulter_; Ger. _jemanden beschimpfen_.

=Blanket= or =Robe= (Wrapping about shoulder). Bring the A hands palms toward each other, opposite and above each shoulder _near the neck_; move the right hand to left and left to right till the wrists are crossed, right hand nearest body. Compare _Fond_.

Fr. _la couverture_; Ger. _die Decke_.

=Bless you= (Drawing from above and spreading out). Hold the flat hands high up in front, palms forward, apart, at arm’s length. Lower them a little and slightly push toward the person meant. (C)

Fr. _que Dieu vous bénisse_; Ger. _Gott segne dich!_

=Blessing the food.= Hold both 5 hands over the food, then add _Talk_ upward.

=Blind.= Bring both flat hands, backs outward, in front of and close to eyes, right hand nearest and both hands parallel to face; move right hand slightly to left, left to right; then place the tips of the fingers against closed eyes. (C)

Fr. _aveugle_; Ger. _blind_.

=Blood= (A wounded buffalo bleeds at the nostrils). Raise the right V hand so the tips of the fingers are pressed one against each nostril; move the hand to the right and downward, giving it a tremulous motion. Add _Red_. Some omit _Red_.

Fr. _le sang_; Ger. _das Blut_.

=Bloom= or =Blossom=. See _Flower_.

=Bluff.= See _Hill_.

=Boat.= Bring the hands together hollowed, fingers straight, little fingers joining, the thumbs somewhat apart, to represent the body of a boat, held before the breast. Push it forward to indicate movement. Add the motion of paddling for _Canoe_, or _Rowing_ for bigger boat. Usually the _Boat_ sign is omitted; _Paddling_ or _Rowing_ being enough by itself. Compare _Bowl_.

Fr. _le bateau_; Ger. _der Kahn_.

=Boil.= See _Cook_.

Fr. _bouillir_; Ger. _kochen_.

=Bone.= Hold up the left hand, palm down, wrist a little bent; with right G tap the wrist bone on outer side of left; then add _Hard_.

Fr. _l’os_; Ger. _der Knochen_.

=Bonnet=, that is, _Warbonnet_. Sweep 5 hands along near each side of head from front to back. Sometimes also sweep right 5 hand down behind for the _Tail_.

Fr. _le bonnet de guerre_; Ger. _die Federkappe_.

=Book.= Open and close the flat hands like cover of a book, then indicate the lines of writing. Sometimes show the thickness to distinguish it from _Letter_. Compare _Open_ and _Shut_.

Fr. _le livre_; Ger. _das Buch_.

=Born=, =Birth=, or =Parturition= (Issuing from loins). Flat right in front of and near the body, pointing downward and to front, moved downward and outward on a curve. Compare _Dive_.

Fr. _né_; Ger. _geboren_.

=Borrow.= See _Lend_.

=Boss.= Use _Chief_.

=Both.= Sign _Or_, that is, hold up the left V, pointing forward, and tap each tip of V, and in turn, with right G; then over left V add _All_ with right. Sometimes point to each and add _Two_. Sometimes use _All_. Blackfeet use _Two_ and _Same_.

Fr. _tous les deux_; Ger. _beide_.

=Bow= (Weapon). The left A hand held still, a little advanced, the right A hand touches it and makes the motion of drawing the cord of the bow.

Fr. _l’arc_; Ger. _der Schiessbogen_.

=Bowl= (A vessel). With curved hands side by side, fingers bent, palms up, indicate shape. (C) Compare _Boat_. For a larger vessel, use _Basin_.

Fr. _le bol_; Ger. _die Schale_, _die Schüssel_.

=Box.= Hold out both flat hands side by side, backs up; then swing apart and down at right angles, turning the hands at the angle so the backs are out.

Fr. _la boîte_; Ger. _der Kasten_.

=Boy.= Sign _Man_, _Young_.

Fr. _le garçon_; Ger. _der Knabe_.

=Brag.= See _Bravado_.

=Brain.= Touch forehead with N hand.

Fr. _le cerveau_; Ger. _das Gehirn_.

=Brand= or =Name=. All fingers of right closed but thumb and index, these form a “C,” which lay on the palm of flat left, pointing forward, thumb up. Sometimes lay it on left shoulder outside. Compare _Name_.

Fr. _la marque_, _marquer avec un fer rouge_; Ger. _das Zeichen_, _das
Brandmal_, _einbrennen_.

=Bravado= or =Brag=. Sign _Fire_, _Talk_, _True_, and _No_. (C)

Fr. _la bravade_; Ger. _die Prahlerei_.

=Brave= (Strong heart). Sign _Heart_ and _Strong_.

Fr. _brave_; Ger. _mutig_, _tapfer_.

=Brave=, as an intensive. See _Very much_.

=Bread= (Making a cake). Gently clap the slightly hollow right hand over slightly hollow left hand, then reverse so left is on right and clap them together again; repeat.

Fr. _le pain_; Ger. _das Brot_.

=Break.= Make the motion of seizing a stick, hold it horizontally with both hands and breaking it in the middle. The thumbs finish wide apart.

Fr. _casser_, _briser_; Ger. _zerbrechen_.

=Breakfast=. Sign _Sunrise_ and _Eat_.

Fr. _le déjeuner_; Ger. _das Frühstück_.

=Breeze=. See _Wind_.

=Bribe.= Hold the hand behind the back, hollowed, open and palm up. (Pop.)

Fr. _corrompre_; Ger. _bestechen_.

=Bridge= (Lifting over water). Sign _Water_; hold out the flat hands horizontally in front of body, pointing forward, palms up; and _Across_.

Fr. _le pont_; Ger. _die Brücke_.

=Bridle.= Like _Bit_; but raise the hand till near the eyes.

Fr. _la bride_; Ger. _der Zaum_.

=Bring=, =Take=, or =Fetch=. Move the right G hand briskly well in front or to right or left of body; draw the hand with a sweep in toward the body, at the same time curving index finger. Compare _Come_ in which the index is held vertically, and _Steal_.

Fr. _apporter_, _prendre_; Ger. _bringen_, _nehmen_, _holen_.

=Broad= or =Wide=. Same as _Big_, but keep the hands flat and palms up.

=Broad and Spreading= is the same as above but with palms down. Compare _Prairie_.

Fr. _large_; Ger. _breit_.

=Broke= or =Dead broke=. See _Done_ (No. 2.)

=Broken down.= See _Decrepit_.

=Brook.= See _Creek_.

=Brother= (Suck together). Lay nearly horizontal N of right hand on lips; draw it away and down, then add _Male_.

Fr. _le frère_; Ger. _der Bruder_.

=Brother-in-Law.= Left forearm across breast; with lower edge of flat right, strike down past left elbow. Probably means relative on the side. (R. B.)

Fr. _le beau-frère_; Ger. _der Schwager_.

=Bucket.= Sign _Bowl_, then indicate the handle.

Fr. _le seau_; Ger. _der Eimer_.

=Buffalo= (Curved horns). Hold the curved G fingers palms toward and close to sides of head; raise the hands slightly and carry them a little to the front. To distinguish domestic cattle, add _Spotted_. The Navahos reverse this; that is, with them the curved horns as above means _Cattle_, to which they add _Beard_, to mean _Buffalo_.

Fr. _le bison_; Ger. _der Büffel_.

=Bullet.= Sign _Fire off_; then grasp the forefinger of the hand with the second finger and thumb, so that the tip of it will so extend beyond them and represent the ball.

Fr. _la balle_; Ger. _die Kugel_.

=Bunch= (Of fruit). Hold out the compressed right hand opposite throat, fingers pointing down. Compare _Beard_.

=Bunch= (A small herd grazing). Hold out curved right 5 hand, back up and forward. See _Herd_. Sometimes use _Enclosure_.

Fr. _le troupeau_; Ger. _die Anzahl_, _die kleine Herde_.

=Burn.= Sign _Fire_ and _Wipe out_.

Fr. _brûler_; Ger. _brennen_.

=Bushes= or =Brush=. Like _Grass_, but breast high; and draw right hand to you and left far ahead.

Fr. _la broussaille_; Ger. _das Gebüsch_.

=Busy.= Sign _Push_ and _Work_.

Fr. _occupé_; Ger. _beschäftigt_.

=But=, =Except=, =Save=, or =Unless= (Of all one pulled back). Sign _All_, with right swung to left; then sign _One_, with left at left side, and pull it to right side between forefinger and thumb of right.

=But.= Sign _All Go_, _One_, _Sits_.

=But= (One drawn back). Point right G down, forward and to right; hold it a second, then jerk it back four or five inches. (Hadley.)

Fr. _mais_; Ger. _aber_.

=Butte.= See _Hill_.

=Buy.= Sign _Money_ and _Trade_, making it clear who gives the money.

=Buy= or =Sell= i.e., =Market=. Tap three times on side of left G index with side of right G index. Compare, _All the time_, _Peas_, and _While_. See _Sell_.

Fr. _acheter_; Ger. _kaufen_.

=By.= See _Beside_.

=By and By= (After a little time). Hold the pinched index and thumb of each hand as in _Time_, but half an inch apart. Or sign _Time afterward_. Compare _Sometime_.

Fr. _plus tard_; (C) Ger. _später_.