Chapter M: =Mad.= See Angry and Crazy (1)

=Make= or =Manufacture=. Hammer the top of one fist with the other two or three times, giving both hands a twisting motion. (Sheeaka. Adopted from the Deaf.) Compare _Work_, which is mostly used by _Indians_ for _Make_.

Fr. _fabriquer_; Ger. _anfertigen_.

=Make up one’s mind.= See _Decide_.

=Man= or =Male= (The one alone; the erect one). Right G held up at height of chin, palm forward; many Cheyennes make it back forward. For _Boy_ sign _Man_ then drop the hand down to a level that indicates height, and turn it palm to you.

Fr. _l’homme_; Ger. _der Mann_.

=Mandan.= See _Indian Tribes_.

=Manitoba= (Red River Country). Give signs for _Country_, _River_, _Red_ (suggested).

=Manner.= See _Way_.

=Man who.= See _Doer_.

=Many= (Many tens). Hold up both hands, face high, half closed, palms forward; throw them forward in 5 shape. Repeat several times. See also _Heap_ and _Much_.

Fr. _plusieurs_; Ger. _viele_.

=Many times=, =Often=, or =All the time=. Hold out left arm level, hand flat palm in; tap it a few times with right G hand from near wrist, moving each time an inch or so toward elbow. Compare _Cheyenne_.

Fr. _souvent_; Ger. _oft_.

=Married= or =Marry= (Side by side, united as one). Sign _Trade_, that is, _Bargain_; then lay right G beside left G touching, both pointing forward level, not moved. (C) The Cheyennes omit _Trade_. Compare _Equal_, _Parallel_, and _Mates_.

Fr. _marié_, _épouser_; Ger. _verheiratet_, _heiraten_.

=Marten= or =Sable=. Sign _Weasel_; that is, curve right G and push it forward, back up, in bounds; indicate size, yellow throat; then, running up a tree. This is a suggested description, as I found no established sign.

Fr. _la marte_, _la zibeline_; Ger. _der Marder_, _der Zobel_.

=Match.= Strike an imaginary match on right thigh, or left arm.

Fr. _l’allumette_; Ger. _das Streichholz_.

=Mate= or =Partner= (One teepee and side by side). The G fingers in tent form, then up side by side, touching. (Sheeaka.)

=Mate= or =Chum=. Sign _Friend_, _Same_.

Fr. _le camarade_, _le compagnon_; Ger. _der Kamerad_.

=May= or =Maybe=. See _Perhaps_.

=Me.= Touch one’s own chest with the tips of the compressed fingers of the right hand. (Sheeaka.) Compare _I_.

Fr. _moi_; Ger. _mich_.

=Meals.= For _Breakfast_, sign _Eat_ and _Sunrise_; for _Lunch_, sign _Eat_ and _Noon_; for _Dinner_, sign _Eat_ and _Sundown_.

Fr. _les repas_; Ger. _die Mahlzeiten_.

=Mean= or =Intend=. Sign _Want_ and _Say_.

Fr. _avoir en vue_, _vouloir dire_; Ger. _beabsichtigen_, _meinen_.

=Mean= or =Stingy=. Sign _Heart_ and _Few_.

Fr. _avare_; Ger. _geizig_.

=Meanwhile.= See _While_.

=Meat= (=1=). Hold out the flat left, back up; then with the flat right, palm up, slice pieces off the left palm. This is generally used, but often with left palm up.

=Meat= or =Flesh= (=2=). With right index finger and thumb, grasp the flesh between left index finger and thumb. (Sioux and Blackfoot.) Note, if this be done by putting the right at the under side of the left, it is the same as the next sign.

=Meat= (=3=). Lay the flat left hand, little finger down, between the thumb and fingers of the flat right, as far in as possible; then pat the back of the left by opening and closing the right a little and add _Buffalo_. In conversation, _Buffalo_ without the first sign is often used for _Meat_, just as we use _Beef_. The first part of this is much like _Thick_ and _Thin_, but the whole of the left fingers are involved and the right hand is not slid along.

The right in this, it will be noted, shows the pose of the hand when holding a thick piece of meat to be cut up for drying.

Clark says there is no sign for _Meat_; yet, obviously, his sign for _Bacon_ is compounded of _Meat_, _Thin_, and _Greasy_; and the sign he gives for _Cutting up_, means _Cutting up meat_.

=Meat= (=4=). With right index and thumb, pinch the flesh at the palmar base of the left thumb. (Father Isadore says this is fixed and universal among the Comanches.)

Fr. _la viande_; Ger. _das Fleisch_.

=Medal.= Make a circle of right thumb and index (other fingers closed); lay it little finger in, on the centre of the breast. (C) Compare _Policeman_.

Fr. _la médaille_; Ger. _die Medaille_.

=Medicine=, =Mystery=, =Holy=, =Sacred=, or =Wonderful= (In the sense of Sacred Mystery). Hold V right hand close to forehead, palm forward, pointing up, separated; move the hand upward, twisting it so that the tips of the extended fingers will describe a spiral curve. This is hardly translatable.

Fr. _le mystère sacré_; Ger. _das heilige Geheimnis_.

=Medicine= (A curative drug or potion). Hold out left C back to left and pour into it from a bottle in right C hand. If a powder, pour on flat left palm. If a pill, pour on palm and afterward pick up with index and thumb. (Pop.) Sign _Medicine_ and _Eat_. (Cheyenne, recent.)

Fr. _la médecine_, _le remède_; Ger. _die Arznei_.

=Medicine-Man= or =Shaman=. Make signs for _Man_ and _Medicine_.

Fr. _le magicien_, _le médecin_; Ger. _der Medizinmann_, _der
Schamane_.

=Meet.= Hold forefingers of both G hands a foot apart, pointing up, left farthest off; move together till touching at the tips. Compare _Trade_, _Mistake_, and _Avoid_.

Fr. _rencontrer_; Ger. _treffen_, _begegnen_.

=Melancholy.= Incline the head slightly forward and rest forehead on left hand, left forearm close to body. Understood by Cheyennes, but they prefer _Heart on the Ground_.

Fr. _triste_; Ger. _schwermütig_.

=Melt=, =Fade=, =Die out=, =Dissolve=. Hold up both “5” hands six inches apart, fingers pointing up, palms toward you; let the hands drop and slide aside, gradually assuming compressed position, backs up. (Sheeaka.)

=Melt.= Sign _Wipe out_, but slide the right palm over the left toward the tips in small jerks, then over and beyond.

Fr. _fondre_; Ger. _schmelzen_, _vergehen_.

=Memories.= Head hung forward; right A hand dropped a foot under chin; then sign _Time_, _Back_. (Blackfoot.)

Fr. _les souvenirs_; Ger. _die Erinnerungen_.

=Memory= or =Remembering=. Sign _Heart_ and _Know_.

Fr. _la mémoire_, _se rappeler_; Ger. _das Gedächtnis_, _sich
erinnern_.

=Mend.= Lay the right G along to overlap the left G, then hammer on the left with right fist. (Sheeaka.) Note, this is mending iron or wood; to mend clothes, lay one index on other as above, then with right sew over edge of left. (Blackfoot.) The Cheyennes usually sign _Make_ and _Good_. Compare _Fix_.

Fr. _raccommoder_; Ger. _ausbessern_, _reparieren_.

=Mercy.= In the Roman Arena, the appeal for mercy was made by stretching the hand with first and second fingers raised and touching; others closed. (Pop.)

Fr. _la clémence_, _la miséricorde_; Ger. _das Erbarmen_, _die Gnade_.

=Mercy on Another.= See _Pity_.

=Mercy on Me.= See _Pity_.

=Merry.= See _Glad_.

=Message=, i.e., =Spoken=. See _Speech_.

=Metal.= Sign _Hard_ and describe or point to a piece of the metal in question. Or sign _Strong_, _Hard_.

Fr. _le métal_; Ger. _das Metall_.

=Meteor.= Sign _Star_ and with hand up high sign _Fire_ and let it drop in a wavy line across the sky.

Fr. _le météore_; Ger. _das Meteor_, _die Feuerkugel_.

=Midday= or =Noon=. _Sun_ and _Straight up_.

Fr. _le midi_; Ger. _der Mittag_.

=Middle= (The point dividing in half). Hold out the left G hand, finger level. Drop the right G hand down onto it at the middle joint. Compare _Half_ and _Centre_.

=Middle.= Strike down with lower edge of flat right between the fingers of left V held pointing up.

Fr. _le milieu_; Ger. _die Mitte_.

=Middle one.= Hold up three fingers of left, tap the two outer with right G, then bend the middle one down.

Fr. _celui au milieu_; Ger. _der Mittlere_.

=Midnight.= Sign _Night_ and _Middle_.

Fr. _le minuit_; Ger. _die Mitternacht_.

=Mile= (Stake, measure, and stake). Hold out closed left at arm’s length in front of shoulder, back up, index and thumb joined at top; drop it six inches, point down; then place index and thumb of similar right against it and swing right out level to right for two or three feet and drop it as before.

Fr. _le mille_; Ger. _die Meile_.

=Milk.= With both S hands make motion of milking.

Fr. _le lait_; Ger. _die Milch_.

=Milky Way= (Spirit’s Trail). _Die_ and _Way_, and sweep the right hand high across the sky to show where.

Fr. _la voie lactée_; Ger. _die Milchstrasze_.

=Mingle.= See _Mix_.

=Mink.= Sign _Water_, _Creek_, and _Animal_. (Blackfoot.) Sometimes indicate size.

Fr. _le foutereau_, _le mink_; Ger. _der Mink_, _der Nerz_.

=Minute= (Division of time). See _Time_. Hold left O hand horizontal for _Watch_; tap around it with right G finger for _hours_; then for minute add _One_, _Small_, and _Time_. _Second_ would be the same with added signs _Few_ or _Very_. (Sheeaka.)

Fr. _la minute_; Ger. _die Minute_.

=Minute= (Very small). Sign _Small_.

Fr. _trés petit_; Ger. _winzig_.

=Mirage.= Hold right 5 hand high, opposite left shoulder, back out, pointing to left; move it horizontally to right with a tremulous motion. (C)

Fr. _le mirage_; Ger. _die Luftspiegelung_.

=Mirror.= Flat right, points up, opposite face, shaken a little forward and back as though adjusting the distance. Sometimes sign _Look_ first.

Fr. _le miroir_; Ger. _der Spiegel_.

=Mislead.= Sign _Way_, then thrust right G to right and to left, but not straight. Or sign _Tell_, _Straight_, _Not_.

Fr. _égarer_; Ger. _verleiten_.

=Miss.= See _Avoid_.

=Mist.= See _Fog_.

=Mistake= (Mark missed). Hold up left G hand, then pass it by with right G hand.

Fr. _l’erreur_; Ger. _der Irrtum_.

=Mix= or =Mingle.= Hold up the 5 hands, face high, points up, palm to palm touching; rotate one against the other. If in cookery, imitate the movement of stirring. Compare _Play_.

Fr. _mélanger_; Ger. _mischen_.

=Moccasin.= Pass the open hands over feet from toe to ankle. Usually but one hand is used, and it need not touch the foot.

Fr. _le mocassin_; Ger. _der Mokassin_.

=Mockery= or =Insolent defiance=. Spread the right hand with fingers straight, point of thumb to point of nose, little finger toward the enemy. (Pop.) Not Indian originally, but all understand it now.

Fr. _la moquerie_, _la dérision_; Ger. _die Verspottung_.

=Modesty.= Cover the eyes with one flat hand, its fingers well apart. (Pop.) See _Ashamed_ and _Fog_.

Fr. _la modestie_; Ger. _die Sittsamkeit_, _die Bescheidenheit_.

=Money= (Coin). With right thumb and index, others closed, make a horizontal circle. Compare _Sun_, _Fruit_, and _Leaf_.

Fr. _l’argent_; Ger. _das Geld_.

=Money= (Paper). Sign _Writing_ and _Money_.

=Money= (Bills). Draw the flat left hand edgewise between the thumb and fingers of the right; then on left palm indicate shape. (C)

Fr. _billets de banque_; Ger. _die Banknoten_.

=Monkey= (Man’s face, dog’s run). Sign _Face_, _Man_, _Dog_, _Goes_.

Fr. _le singe_; Ger. _der Affe_.

=Month= (One Moon). Sign for _One_ and _Moon_ and _Die_.

Fr. _le mois_; Ger. _der Monat_.

Each tribe had, of course, its own names for the months. I have selected the ones most likely to be widely popular, without regard to their origin.

=January= (Snow Moon). Sign _Moon_ and _Snow_.

Fr. _le janvier_; Ger. _der Januar_.

=February= (Hunger Moon). Sign _Moon_ and _Hunger_.

Fr. _le février_; Ger. _der Februar_.

=March= (Crow Moon). Sign _Moon_ and _Crow_.

Fr. _le mars_; Ger. _der März_.

=April= (Grass Moon). Sign _Moon_ and _Short grass_.

Fr. _l’avril_; Ger. _der April_.

=May= (Planting Moon). Sign _Moon_ and _Planting_.

Fr. _le mai_; Ger. _der Mai_.

=June= (Rose Moon). Sign _Moon_ and _Rose_.

Fr. _le juin_; Ger. _der Juni_.

=July= (Thunder Moon). Sign _Moon_ and _Lightning_.

Fr. _le juillet_; Ger. _der Juli_.

=August= (Red Moon). Sign for _Moon_ and _Red_.

Fr. _l’août_; Ger. _der August_.

=September= (Hunting Moon). Sign _Moon_ and then draw a bow as in
hunting.

Fr. _le septembre_; Ger. _der September_.

=October= (Leaf-falling Moon). Sign _Moon_ and _Leaf-falling_.

Fr. _l’octobre_; Ger. _der Oktober_.

=November= (Mad Moon). Sign _Moon_ and _Mad_.

Fr. _le novembre_; Ger. _der November_.

=December= (Long Night). Sign _Moon_, _Night_, and _Long_.

Fr. _le décembre_; Ger. _der Dezember_.

=Moon= (Horns in the sky, or crescent). Close right hand except thumb and first finger, which forms a half-circle or crescent, held above the right ear, back of hand forward. Sometimes expressed as _Night_ and _Sun_.

Fr. _la lune_; Ger. _der Mond_.

=Moose= (Elk with flat horns). Hold up flat hands for horns; but swing both backward and forward to indicate width; then, with both “L” hands, indicate the hanging muzzle. (Blackfoot.)

Fr. _l’orignal_; Ger. _das Elentier_, _der Elch_.

=More.= Hold out the flat left hand, palm up; then with right make as though throwing sand on it more and more, three times. (Sheeaka.) Compare _Most_. See _Repeat_, _Add to_, and _Ahead_.

Fr. _plus_; Ger. _mehr_.

=Morning= or =Day= (Opening up). Both hands palms down, flat, near together. Sweep them up, out, and apart; turning the palms up. The same as _Day_.

=Morning= or =Dawn=. Hold out both arms level, full length, side by side, hands flat, backs forward, tips touching; raise them slowly to half height.

Fr. _le matin_; Ger. _der Morgen_.

=Mosquito.= With right index and thumb make as though pricking right cheek with a thorn; then slap the place with right palm.

Fr. _le moustique_; Ger. _der Moskito_, _die Stechmücke_.

=Most.= Sign _More_, then raise the right flat hand high above it. (Sheeaka.) Or sign _Ahead_, _All_.

Fr. _le plus_; Ger. _meist_, _am Meisten_.

=Mother= (Nurse or parent, female). With the finger tips of the right hand, make as though drawing milk from the left breast; add the sign for _Female_ if necessary. (Scott.) Note the left breast for _Mother_, nearer the heart; the right breast is for _Father_.

Fr. _la mère_; Ger. _die Mutter_.

=Mother-in-law.= Sign _Brother-in-law_, _Old_, _Woman_.

Fr. _la belle-mère_; Ger. _die Schwiegermutter_.

=Motor car.= Make signs for _Wheels_, _Horse_, _Not_. Or sign _Fire_ twice then make as though holding and turning steering wheel.

Fr. _l’automobile_; Ger. _das Automobil_.

=Mound= or =Low Hill=. Flat hands together, backs up; separated and swept down to show shape. Compare _Heap_, which is just the reverse; also see _Box_.

Fr. _la petite éminence_; Ger. _der Erdhügel_.

=Mount= (A horse). Hold right V to right side pointing up; swing it up to right, over and down, points down, onto flat left, which is held thumb up. Or, omit left. (Blackfoot.)

Fr. _monter_; Ger. _steigen_.

=Mountain.= Hold up A hand as in _Hill_, but higher, and add _Hard_. Use both hands alternately up and down in various places for plural. Compare _Hill_ and _Lump_.

Fr. _la montagne_; Ger. _der Berg_.

=Mountain Lion=, =Cat=. Sign _Cat_, _Long tail_, and _Jump_. (C) Or with both L hands indicate large round tracks; then, with right G, pointed down, raised and down, each time, indicate the zigzag trail. (Paiute sign, given me by C. B. Ruggles.)

Fr. _le couguar_; Ger. _der Kuguar_.

=Mountain Pass.= See _Gap_.

=Mourn.= With the flat hands used like knives, backs up, little fingers as though sharp edges, make as though to cut off the hair at each side of the head, and add _Cry_.

Fr. _s’affliger_; Ger. _trauern_.

=Mouse= (Night nibbler). Sign _Animal_, with very small jumps, indicate size and _Night_; then, with right forefinger and thumb, nibble at left G forefinger.

Fr. _la souris_; Ger. _die Maus_.

=Move=, =To move camp= (Teepee poles, travois). Both G hands in front, backs out; lay right forefinger on left at middle joint, crossing at an angle of 45 degrees, and push both hands forward in slight jerks, each jerk a day’s journey.

Fr. _changer de place_, _déménager_; Ger. _fortziehen_, _wegrücken_.

=Mowing machine.= Sign _Grass_ and _Knife_; the last at right lower than waist. Add _Wagon_ if needed to indicate horse mower.

Fr. _la machine à faucher_; Ger. _die Mähmaschine_.

=Much= or =Many=. Hold curved 5 hands, palm to palm, a foot apart; swing down together and up face high, closing them; swing a little apart at the finish.

=Much= (Heap.) Hold the flat hands so the palms are toward each other, the left lower, and draw them apart, the left downward, the right upward. The extent to which they are drawn apart indicates the quantity. Compare _Big_, _Great_, _Heap_, _Increase_, and _Decrease_.

Fr. _beaucoup_; Ger. _viel_.

=Much, Too.= See _Excessive_.

=Mud.= See _Soft_.

=Mule.= Hold extended hands alongside of ears, palms to front, fingers pointing upward; by wrist action, flop the hands to front and rear, representing motion of mule’s ears.

Fr. _le mulet_; Ger. _das Maultier_.

=Murder.= Sign _Kill_ and _Free_. Meaning an unjustified killing.

Fr. _le meurtre_; Ger. _der Mord_.

=Must.= See _Have to_; also _Begin_ or _Push_. See _Imperative_.

=Muskrat= or =Musquash=. Sign _Beaver_ and _Small_.

=Muskrat= (Tail, swimming and lump). Hold out right G, back up, nearly level, pointing forward and to left; shake it, draw it to right; then hold up compressed right hand, back up, pointing forward, and grasp right wrist on lower side with left hand. (Blackfoot.)

Fr. _le rat musqué du Canada_, _l’ondatra_; Ger. _die Bisamratte_.

=My=, =Mine=, or =My own=. Sign _Possession_; that is, hold out the A hand, thumb straight up; then swing it in till it touches the breast; or sometimes lay the spread flat hand on the breast. (Sheeaka.) See _I_.

=My=, =Mine=, or =My own=. Touch breast with point of compressed right, then sign _Possession_.

Fr. _mon_; Ger. _mein_.

=Mystery.= See _Medicine_.

N

=Name= (Of a man). Sign _Called_. “What is your name?” would be _Question_, _You_, _Called_.

=Name= (Of animal). With right forefinger and thumb, others closed, make an incomplete circle and lay it palm down against the palm of the flat left hand, held forward, back to left. Compare _Brand_ and _Called_. Scott gives it as illustrated.

Fr. _nommer_, _le nom_; Ger. _(be) nennen_, _der Name_.

=Name, To sign one’s= (Thumb print). Press the thumb tip of the A hand against the palm of the flat left. Compare _Letter_.

Fr. _signer son nom_; Ger. _seinen Namen unterschreiben_.

=Named=. See _Called_.

=Narrow.= Hold flat hands out, palm to palm, about six inches apart, fingers level and pointing forward; move them toward each other until but one inch apart. Compare _Fast_, _Between_, _Few_, and _Road_.

Fr. _étroit_; Ger. _eng_.

=Nation= (People all). Hold up both 5 hands, swing them toward each other and away in a great circle. (Sheeaka.) Not well established.

Fr. _la nation_, _le peuple_; Ger. _die Nation_, _das Volk_.

NATIONALITIES:

=American.= Sign _Thirteen_, _Fires_. This was once used on the Ohio,
referring to the Council Fires of the thirteen original colonies. Then
add _Country_ by patting the ground with both flat hands and swinging
them apart and up.

According to Clark, sometimes called _Long Knives_. Draw a long line
east and west; then with flat hand, point up, indicate all south of
it. (Blackfoot.)

Fr. _l’Américain_; Ger. _der Amerikaner_.

=British= (Red coat). Touch the coat; then with fingers brush the
cheeks for _red_.

Fr. _les Anglais_, _les sujets anglais_; Ger. _die Briten_, _das
britische Volk_.

=Canadian= (Shaking off the snow). Shake the coat lapel with right
hand. (D) The Blackfeet draw a long line east and west then with flat
hand point to indicate all north of that line.

Fr. _le Canadien_; Ger. _der Kanadier_.

=Chinaman.= Indicate long tail by signing _Rope_ at back of head.

Fr. _le Chinois_; Ger. _der Chinese_.

=Dutchman= (Long pipe). Place thumb of Y hand at the mouth, draw it
down and outward to indicate the long pipe. (D)

Fr. _le Hollandais_; Ger. _der Holländer_.

=Englishman.= Sign _White Man_, _Far_. (Blackfoot.)

Fr. _l’Anglais_; Ger. _der Engländer_.

=Frenchman.= Hold out the F hand well toward the left, palm up; draw
it across in front of self from left to right, turning it palm down.
(D) To sign _Hairy Man_ would translate the nickname “Poilu.”

Fr. _le Français_; Ger. _der Franzose_.

=German= (The double eagle). Cross the wrists of both 5 hands, thumb
palm against thumb palm, and work the fingers. (D)

Fr. _l’Allemand_; Ger. _der Deutsche_.

=Great Britain= (Red-coat land). _Land_, _Coat_, and _Red_.

Fr. _la Grande-Bretagne_; Ger. _das Groszbritannien_.

=Holland.= Same as _Dutchman_.

=Indian.= See _Indian_ on p. 106.

=Irishman.= Hold out left S hand, back up; swing right V around it and
end with V resting on back of left. (D) _Green Island Man_ would be
more acceptable.

Fr. _l’Irlandais_; Ger. _der Irländer_.

=Japanese.= Sign _Country_ and _Rising Sun_. Or sign _Man_, _Short_,
_Eyes_, _Oblique_. The last by pushing up the outer corners of the
eyes with G fingers. (These are suggested.)

Fr. _le Japonais_; Ger. _der Japaner_.

=Jew= (Long beard). Placing the fingers of the bent 5 hand on the
chin, draw them down and off, letting the hand assume the flat
position as it leaves the chin. (D)

(As a slang term.) Spread both hands open from opposite each shoulder,
palms forward, and rotate them slightly on the wrist back and forth.
(Pop.)

Fr. _le Juif_; Ger. _der Jude_.

=Italian.= With the little finger of I hand trace a cross in the
centre of the forehead. (D)

Fr. _l’Italien_; Ger. _der Italiener_.

=Mexican= (Bearded White Man). Sign for _White Man_ and _Beard_. In
this case, _Beard_ is made by rotating and jerking the 5 hand before
the chin, points up.

Fr. _le Mexicain_; Ger. _der Mexikaner_.

=Negro.= Sign _White Man_, _Black face_. (C) Sheeaka also fumbled the
open right over the knuckles of the half closed left, to indicate
kinky hair.

Fr. _le nègre_; Ger. _der Neger_.

=Ontario= (Land of Lakes). Make signs for _Country_ and _Lakes_.
(Suggested.)

Fr. _l’Ontario_; Ger. _das Ontario_.

=Russian.= Arms akimbo, i.e., C hand on each side of the waist. (D)
The Cheyennes call them _Ride Easy_ from the Cossack circus
performers; but it is not an established sign. _Bear Man_ is
suggested.

Fr. _le Russe_; Ger. _der Russe_.

=Scotchman= (Plaid clothes). Cross the fingers of the right 5 hand
with those of the left 5 hand on the chest, then let each drop to
continue the lines. (D)

Fr. _l’Écossais_; Ger. _der Schotte_.

=Spaniard.= Sign _Old_, _Mexican_.

Fr. _l’Espagnol_; Ger. _der Spanier_.

=White Man= (Hat man). With G right hand draw first finger across the
brow. (C) For illustration see _White Man_ among W’s.

Fr. _l’homme blanc_; Ger. _der Weisze_.

Other countries are indicated in the Deaf Code by making the initial
letter in the single-handed alphabet and swinging them in a circle in
front of the forehead; but this mode contravenes the fundamental
principle of Signs. (See Introduction.)

Therefore, it is better to wait till a true sign is discovered.

=Near= or =Nearly=. Same as _Close_, which see.

=Near by.= See _By_.

=Nearest.= See _Next_.

=Need= or =Need to=. See _Must_.

=Needle.= Make the sign for _Sew_. (C)

Fr. _l’aiguille_; Ger. _die Nadel_.

=Neighbor.= Sign _Close_ and _Dwell_, or _Sit_, _Close_.

Fr. _le voisin_; Ger. _der Nachbar_.

=Nephew.= Sign _Brother’s_ (or _Sister’s_) _Son_. (C)

Fr. _le neveu_; Ger. _der Neffe_.

=Never= (_Ever_ and _Not_). Right elbow fixed at side and with right G hand out straight, describe a complete upright circle, left to right; then throw the hand down to right in _Not_. (Sheeaka; probably borrowed from Deaf.)

Fr. _jamais_; Ger. _niemals_.

=Never mind.= See _Rub it out_.

=New.= Sign _Little time_, _Traded_. Or, _Little while_, _Made_, _Good_.

Fr. _neuf_; Ger. _neu_.

=News.= With right G struck down to right and left (for _this_ and _that_) and _Hear_.

Fr. _les nouvelles_; Ger. _die Nachrichten_.

=Newspaper.= Sign _Writing_ and _Tell_ (i.e., _Talk_) to right and left.

Fr. _le journal_; Ger. _die Zeitung_.

=Next.= See _Neighbor_.

=Next= or =Second=. Hold out the flat 4 left hand, palm down; with right G draw the left index toward the right; then tap the middle finger of left with right index. Or sign _Close_.

Fr. _prochain_; Ger. _nächst_.

=Night= (Earth covered up). Bring the flat hands, backs up, well apart, out in front of body, breast high; move them together in outline of a dome, finally resting right wrist on left. Compare _Hide_.

Fr. _la nuit_; Ger. _die Nacht_.

=No.= Hold flat right hand, back up, in front of body, fingers pointing level and nearly forward. Swing the hand in a graceful curve to right and front, at the same time turning it thumb up, finishing with the back of hand to right and downward; the hand is swept into its position on a curve. Usually abbreviated into a short jerk of the flat hand to right, its palm kept facing left. Compare _Bad_ and _Different_.

For short range, shake the head; this is simple and universal. It is so natural that babies and animals do it when offered bitter medicine, for example. (Popular and Indian generally.)

Fr. _non_; Ger. _nein_.

=No, I won’t listen=; or =Go away, the matter is ended=. Right G hand upraised to level of face, palm out, index upright; wave the finger hand from side to side by wrist action. Chiefly used by Cheyennes when joking. It is general in Latin countries. Compare _White-tailed Deer_.

Fr. _non, allez!_ Ger. _Punktum!_ _Schlusz!_

=None=, =Nothing=, =I have no money=. Turn the flat palms forward, one near each trouser pocket. (Pop.)

Fr. _il n’y a rien_; Ger. _nichts_.

=Noon.= See _Midday_.

=Notify.= See _Tell_.

=Now= (Emphatic “right now”). Hold up right G, back to right and pointing upward about eight inches in front of the face; and, without stopping, carry it a little to front; then stop and give a slight rebound. Sometimes look up to make it clear that it relates to time of day, that is, the sun’s course. Often it means _this_ as in _this day_; _this moment_; _this night_.

Fr. _maintenant_; Ger. _jetzt_.

=Numbers= and =Counting=. Up to _ten_ as shown on the fingers at the foot of previous page and this.

For 20—Sign 10, close the hands, then repeat it.

For 25—Sign 20, then drop left, close right, and sign 5.

For 30—Sign 10 three times; or else as below.

For 20, etc., sign 10, then hold out left 5 hand pointing forward and
draw right G along each finger from base to tip; each finger so
pointed stands for 10.

If over 50, do same with right hand and left index till enough tens
are shown.

For 100—Both 5 hands held up, palm forward, thumb tips touching, low,
opposite right shoulder; swing in a vertical arch to low opposite left
shoulder. This mode of multiplying by ten may be applied to other
numbers.

For 1,000—Sign 100 and on flat hands spread and pointing forward, palm
down, with index of other hand show number of hundreds as above.

=Numbers= or =Counting=. Or, with the thumb of the same hand, touch each of the finger tips in succession. (Popular and sometimes used by Cheyennes.)

Fr. _les nombres_, _les numéros_, _compter_; Ger. _die Zahlen_,
_zählen_.

=Numbers ordinal.= Point at or indicate the person or thing; then turn down the first finger for 1st and the second finger for 2d and so on. Also see _First_, _Next_, and _Last_.

=Numeral Sign=, =Arithmetic=, or =Counting=. Hold the left 5 hand, palm up, fingers a little bent; with right G turn one or two left fingers down on left palm.

The Deaf mode is the figure-sign, then, without changing position of arm or hand, give the hand a twisting jerk from the wrist, which swings it in a small circle.

Fr. _les nombres ordinaux_; Ger. _die Ordinalzahlen_.

=Nun.= Sign _Woman_, _Black_, _Hat_.

Fr. _la religieuse_; Ger. _die Nonne_.

O

=Oath= or =Swear=. Tap the chest with the tips of the flat right hand, then hold it at head height, palm forward. (Sheeaka.) Sometimes point to Heaven and Earth, then hold up flat right hand. (C) Neither is Cheyenne, but both are understood by them. See _Promise_. With right G make a small cross over the heart. (Pop.)

Fr. _le serment_, _jurer_; Ger. _der Eid_, _schwören_.

=Obey.= Make sign for _Listen_. For emphasis add _Yes_. _Disobey_ is putting the flat hands over the ears.

Fr. _obéir_; Ger. _gehorchen_.

=Obliged to.= See _Have to_. (C)

=Ocean.= Sign _Water_ and _Very broad_. Some add _Salt_.

Fr. _l’océan_; Ger. _der Ozean_.

=Of= (That from that). Hold right G hand out straight from right side, palm up; rotate the hand so the index tip describes a small half-circle inward and finally the palm is down. (D) Compare _Luck_.

Fr. _de_; Ger. _von_.

=Offer= or =Propose=. Hold the flat hands, palms up, near you, then move forward as though offering something. (Blackfoot.) The Cheyennes sign _Want_ and _Give_.

Fr. _offrir_, _proposer_; Ger. _anbieten_, _vorschlagen_.

=Office.= Sign _Writing House_.

=Officer.= Sign _Chief_; or, if military, sign _Chief_, _Soldier_. Or indicate with the right index on the left shoulder or arm the insignia of the particular rank.

Fr. _l’officier_; Ger. _der Beamte_, _der Offizier_.

=Offspring.= See _Child_.

=Often.= See _Many times_.

=Oil= (Blowing oil off surface in pot). With both L hands form a big level circle; then tilt it low on forward side and blow across it. (Blackfoot, but understood by Cheyennes.)

Fr. _l’huile_; Ger. _das Öl_.

=Oil= or =Grease=. Hold out the flat left, thumb up; with right thumb on palm and right index on back (others closed); rub back and forth with short, quick jerks. Compare _Thick_, _Thin_, _Bacon_.

Fr. _la graisse_; Ger. _das Fett_.

=Old= (Walking with a stick). Hold right A hand, _back to right_, about twelve inches in front of right shoulder, about height of breast; move the hand a little upward, to front, downward and back into its first position on small curve, repeating motion. Compare _Lame_.

Fr. _vieux_; Ger. _alt_.

=Old Man.= Hold up the right index finger as in _Man_, then drop, crook, and swing it in _Old_. See _Decrepit_.

Fr. _le vieillard_; Ger. _der Greis_.

=Old=, =How old are you?= Sign _Question_, _Snows_, _You_; or _Question_, _Counting_, _Colds_, _You_.

Fr. _quel âge avez-vous?_ Ger. _wie alt sind Sie?_

=On= or =Upon=. Lay the flat right hand, palm down, on back of the flat horizontal left, palm down. Compare _At_.

Fr. _sur_; Ger. _auf_.

=Once.= Dip the finger ends of the right compressed hand down against the palm of the flat left hand, bringing it away quickly. For _Twice_, do it twice, etc. (Sheeaka.) Compare _This_ and _Repeat_.

=Once= (One go). Sign _One_ with right G index and push it forward low down. (So, also, _Twice_ is _Two_ pushed forward, etc.)

Fr. _une fois_; Ger. _einmal_.

=One who=, or =The man that does=. See _Doer_.

=Onion.= Sign _Potato_ and _Bad_, _Smell_.

Fr. _l’oignon_; Ger. _die Zwiebel_.

=Only.= See _Alone_.

=Open.= The flat hands together, palm to palm, opened out flat as a book. The same as _Book_ with _Writing_ omitted. Compare _Day_, _Book_, _Shell_, and _Shut_.

Fr. _ouvrir_, _ouvert_; Ger. _öffnen_, _offen_.

=Opossum.= Hold out the flat right, fingers doubled on palm, thumb straight up; move it forward level. The thumb represents the tail. This is an Australian sign given by E. C. Stirling. It is offered as a suggestion and as a reminder that the Sign Language is world-wide. The Cheyennes sign _Tree_, _Climb_, _Hang by tail_.

Fr. _l’opossum_, _le (la) sarigue_; Ger. _das Opossum_.

=Opposite= or =Against=. Hold the G fingers up opposite each other, pointing at each other. Compare =Against=.

Fr. _opposé_, _en face_; Ger. _gegenüber_.

=Or.= See _Either_. Sometimes use _Different_.

=Orderly= or =Put in order=. See _Ready_.

=Ordinal Numbers.= See _Numbers Ordinal_.

=Other.= See _Another_.

=Other side.= See _Beyond_.

=Otter= (Wrapping the hair plait). With right thumb, index and middle fingers together, others closed, describe a small spiral from near the right ear down. Because the otter skin was the kind used in strips to wrap the plaits of the Indians’ hair.

Fr. _la loutre_; Ger. _der (die) Otter_.

=Our.= Sign _All_, _My_.

Fr. _notre_; Ger. _unser_.

=Out of.= See _Absent_.

=Outside= or =Out of=. Make a semicircle of the left arm out level; drop the compressed right hand without and beyond the semicircle. Compare _In_, which it resembles, except in the last movement.

Fr. _dehors_, _hors de_; Ger. _drauszen_.

=Over= or =Above=. See _Above_.

=Overcome.= See _Kill_.

=Overtake.= Hold out flat left hand at arm’s length, palm forward, fingers pointing up; hold the right G hand near the breast, palm out, pointing up; move it forward till it strikes the left hand. Use the left G if only one is pursued. Compare _Arrive there_.

Fr. _atteindre_; Ger. _einholen_.

=Owe= or =Debt= (Recorded and given). Write on the left palm and swing it from _you_ to _me_ or otherwise, according to the case. (Sheeaka.)

=Owe.= Sign _Trade_, _Time_, _Money_, _Give_.

Fr. _devoir_; Ger. _schuldig sein_.

=Owl.= Sign _Bird_ and _Big-eyes_; the latter by putting around each eye a half-circle of thumb and index. (For _Horned Owl_ indicate the horns with G hands.) For _Burrowing Owl_, sign _Owl_, _Hole_, and _Dancing_.

Fr. _la chouette_, _le hibou_; Ger. _die Eule_.

=Own.= See _Possession_.

P

=Pack.= Hold out left flat hand, back to left (this is the horse); bring right flat hand and place palm against left thumb, fingers pointing to front (this is the right pack); raise the right hand and place palm against upper part of left (this is the left pack); repeat these motions quickly.

Fr. _emballer_; Ger. _packen_.

=Pain.= See _Ache_.

=Paint.= Use all the fingers of right hand as a brush painting the left palm. Recent Cheyenne.

Fr. _peindre_; Ger. _anstreichen_, _malen_.

=Paint the cheeks.= Sign _Red_, then rub the cheeks and front of the face with palm of flat right hand moved in small circles.

Fr. _se farder_; Ger. _schminken_.

=Palsy.= Both flat hands, backs up, near breast, shaking.

Fr. _la paralysie agitante_; Ger. _die Schüttellähmung_.

=Panther.= See _Mountain Lion_.

=Paper= (Square to write on). With G fingers outline a square, then make as though to write on it with right G.

Fr. _le papier_; Ger. _das Papier_.

=Parallel=, or =Side by Side=. The index fingers of G hands laid side by side, _not_ touching and _not_ moving. Some make right index point to left and left to right in this. Compare _Equal_, _Race_, and _Marry_.

Fr. _parallèle_; Ger. _parallel_, _gleichlaufend_.

=Pardon=, =Liberate=, or =Turn Loose= (Removing a halter). Hold both L hands, palms up, near the neck, one on each side; sweep them up, over, forward and down, as though removing a halter; at the finish the index fingers are pointing forward and down. Sometimes add _Go_. See _Excuse_ and _Free_.

Fr. _pardonner_; Ger. _begnadigen_.

=Part.= If _one-half_, indicate it as in the sign for that word; if less, hold the right hand nearer end of index, according to portion desired to be represented. See _Half_ and _Some_.

Fr. _la partie_; Ger. _der Teil_.

=Partner.= See _Mate_.

=Parturition.= See _Born_.

=Pass by.= See _Avoid_.

=Past= (Time back). Make the sign for _Time_ and jerk the thumb backward over the right shoulder, all fingers closed. (Sheeaka.) Or throw the flat hand back over shoulder. In general, sign _Time_, _Back_. See _Ago_ and _Back_.

Fr. _le passé_; Ger. _die Vergangenheit_.

=Pasture.= See _Corral_.

=Patrol.= See _Band_.

=Pawnee.= See _Indian Tribes_.

=Pawnshop= (House of three balls). _House_ and hold left hand up with thumb, first and second fingers pointing straight down; then make a hoop of right thumb and index and apply it in succession to the three hanging tips. (Pop. and acceptable to Indians.)

Fr. _le Mont-de-Piété_; Ger. _das Leihhaus_, _das Pfandhaus_.

=Pax.= See _Fins_.

=Pay= (i.e., “Will you give me?” or “Will you pay?”). Hold the right hand forward at level of waist, palm up, fingers half closed, rubbing the tip of first finger and tip of thumb together. (Popular and understood by Sheeaka.) The Cheyennes sign _Money_, _Give me_.

Fr. _payer_; Ger. _bezahlen_.

=Peace.= Clasp the hands in front of body.

Fr. _la paix_; Ger. _der Friede_.

=Peak.= Sign _Mountain_, _Part_; then hold up high all fingers of right hand in a point, back under.

Fr. _le pic_; Ger. _die Spitze_.

=Peas.= Sign _Plant_, then with right index and thumb as in _Little of_ tap five or six times in a row along the side of the left G.

Fr. _les pois_; Ger. _die Erbsen_.

=Pekan.= See _Fisher_.

=Penny.= Sign _Red_, _Money_.

=People.= Hold up the 5 hands, points up, and add _All_. Compare _Nation_ and _Dance_.

=People.= Hold up both G hands at various heights, as in _Man_ sign. (Sheeaka.)

Fr. _le peuple_; Ger. _die Leute_, _das Volk_.

=Pepper= (Black sprinkler). Sign _Black_, then use right O hand as tho it held a sprinkler. A Blackfoot sign understood by Cheyennes.

Fr. _le poivre_; Ger. _der Pfeffer_.

=Perhaps.= See _If_.

=Permit.= See _Free_.

=Perplexed.= See _If_ and _Consider_.

=Petrol.= See _Spirit_.

=Period= or =Full stop=. Use _Done_ both No. 1 and No. 2.

Fr. _le point_; Ger. _der Punkt_.

=Persevere=, =Persist=, or =Stick to it.= Hold both fists near breast and firmly push them forward once or twice. That is, sign _Push_ repeatedly.

Fr. _persister_; Ger. _beharren_.

=Person= or =Individual=. Sign _Man_.

Fr. _la personne_; Ger. _die Person_.

=Photograph.= Hold out the nearly flat left hand at arm’s length, face high, palm to you, fingers level, pointing to right; from near it, draw back right fist, palm to left and up, thumb out straight, as though drawing something to the eye; then near the face change the right hand to flat, slightly curved, back forward, fingers pointing to left, and push it forward against palm of left, as in Print.

Fr. _la photographie_; Ger. _die Photographie_.

=Picture.= Indicate the subject, then hold up both L hands to outline bottom and two sides of a square. With imaginary pencil in right draw on this; left remaining as it was. See _Portrait_ and _Photograph_.

Fr. _le tableau_; Ger. _das Bild_.

=Pie.= Sign _Bread_, _Round_ (i.e., with right G, indicate a horizontal circle of proper size), and _Sweet_. Then sidewise slide the flat right exactly over the flat left, both with palms up. A description, rather than a sign.

Fr. _le pâté_, _la tarte_; Ger. _die Pastete_.

=Piece.= See _Little of_.

=Pig.= See _Hog_.

=Pipe.= Hold out right G breast high, back down, with index curled up, pointing forward; jerk it forward once or twice.

Fr. _le pipe_; Ger. _die Pfeife_.

=Pistol.= See _Gun_.

=Pity= or =Mercy= on another (Cry or shed tears for you). Hold G hands, palms downward, index fingers up, in front of and near heart, few inches apart, equally advance and same height; move the hands outward and slightly downward, or toward person. Compare _Cry_.

Fr. _avoir pitié de quelqu’ un_; Ger. _jemanden bemitleiden_.

=Pity= or =Have mercy on me= (Cry for me). Hold G hands well out in front of body, as described above, but with backs out; bring them toward body, slightly raising them.

Fr. _plaignez-moi_, _ayez pitié de moi!_ Ger. _haben Sie Mitleid mit
mir!_

=Place= or =Put= (Verb). Hold out flat left, back up; swing compressed right over onto it, then open the right a little. Sometimes omit flat left, or use instead compressed left hand held points up. Compare _Bet_.

Fr. _mettre_; Ger. _stellen_, _legen_, _setzen_.

=Place= (Noun). With right G pointing down, indicate a large circle on the ground. (A Pai-ute sign given by Mallery p. 500, also a popular sign.)

Fr. _la place_; Ger. _der Ort_, _die Stelle_.

=Plant= or =Planting=. With right fingers and thumb, open as though to drop a seed, then closed and moved on to drop another farther, and another, all in the same row. Compare _Animal_ and _Jump_. See _Sow_.

Fr. _planter_; Ger. _pflanzen_.

=Play= or =Recreation=. Hold up both slightly curved 5 hands, points up and forward, palm to palm, about eight inches apart. Swing them from side to side together, rotating them so the palms are once to front, once to back on each swing. Compare _Dance_ and _Children_.

Fr. _le jeu_; Ger. _das Spiel_.

=Playing= or =Fooling=. Hold out in front of shoulder the slightly curved 5 hand, palm up; rotate slightly by wrist action. See _Joke_ and _Laugh_.

Fr. _jouer_; Ger. _das Spielen_.

=Plenty= (Many, piled up). Push forward with both 5 hands, palms first, three times (i.e., sign _Many_); then raise the hands very high, palms forward and down. (Sheeaka.) Or sign _Heap_ or _Full_. Compare _Many_.

Fr. _l’abondance_; Ger. _die Fülle_.

=Ploughing.= Hold both fists forward as though holding plough, elbows high; and push forward. Also used for cultivation in general.

Fr. _le labourage_, _labourer_; Ger. _das Pflügen_.

=Poison-ivy= (Vine, nibbler). Sign _Vine_; that is, hold left forearm upright, as in _Tree_, and with right G finger trace a climbing _Vine_ about it; then with thumb and first two fingers of right hand, scratch on edge of flat left, held out back up.

Fr. _le toxicodendron_; Ger. _der Giftefeu_, _der Giftsumach_.

=Polecat.= See _Skunk_.

=Policeman= or =Constable=. Place the curved right index and thumb, little finger out, against left coat lapel. Compare _Medal_, _Brand_, and _Name_.

Fr. _le sergent de ville_; Ger. _der Schutzmann_.

=Police-station.= Sign _Policeman_ and _House_.

Fr. _le poste de police_; Ger. _das Polizeibureau_.

=Ponder.= See _Consider_.

=Poor in property= (Scraped bare). With right G finger scrape down the left G finger held up, from tip to base, several times. Compare _Indian Apache_, and _Shame_.

Fr. _pauvre_; Ger. _arm_.

=Poor in flesh.= See _Thin_.

=Porcupine= (Prickly hair). Sign _Hair_; then with tips of right 5 hand strike or prick the left palm, held facing the right.

Fr. _le porc-épic_; Ger. _das Stachelschwein_.

=Portrait.= Hold up the flat left hand, back forward, as though it were a _Mirror_, then sketch on the same with an imaginary pencil, add _Face_ and indicate the person. See _Photograph_ and _Picture_.

Fr. _le portrait_; Ger. _das Bild(nis)_.

=Positive of adjectives.= See _Comparative_.

=Possesses=, =Possession=, =Yours=, =His own=, =Belonging to=, etc. (Held in the hand.) Hold right A hand, back to right, in front of the neck, or even the forehead, and a few inches from it. Swing it forward and down so the thumb is pointing straight forward.

Fr. _posséder_; Ger. _besitzen_.

=Potato.= Curved 5 right hand held as low as possible, back down.

Fr. _la pomme de terre_; Ger. _die Kartoffel_.

=Pour.= Hold out the left O hand, back to left, and pour into it with the right O hand.

Fr. _verser_; Ger. _gieszen_.

=Powder.= Hold out left hand, palm up; just above it, rub thumb and finger tips of right. Or commonly omit left hand. Compare _Dust_.

Fr. _la poudre_; Ger. _das Pulver_, _der Puder_.

=Power.= See _Can_.

=Prairie=, =Smooth land=, =Flat=, or =Level= (Level wide). Flat hands side by side, palms up; then slowly wide spread on same plane. In conversation, usually but one hand is used. Compare _Free_ and _Broad_.

Fr. _la prairie_, _la plaine_; Ger. _die Prärie_, _die grosze Ebene_.

=Prairie-chicken.= See _Grouse_.

=Prairie-dog.= Sign _Mound_, _Hole_; then push right G up through hole and add _Talk_.

Fr. _la marmotte de la prairie_; Ger. _der Präriehund_.

=Praise.= See _Applause_.

=Pray.= Lay the flat hands palm to palm, point them to the sky, then draw down toward self; repeat. (Sheeaka.)

=Pray.= Look up, sign _Talk_ (_No. 1._) _straight_.

Fr. _prier_; Ger. _beten_.

=Present= (Time). Same as _Now_.

=Pretty.= See _Beautiful_.

=Pride=, =Proud=, or =Vain=. Draw the flat hand, palm down, over face to breast; throw back head, look up and add _Good_. (Blackfoot.) This is their sign for _Beautiful_ with the addition of the head thrown back. Or sign _He, Think_, _He, Big Chief_. See _Conceit_.

Fr. _la fierté_, _fier_; Ger. _der Stolz_, _stolz_.

=Priest.= Sign _Robe_ and _Black_.

Fr. _le prêtre_; Ger. _der Priester_.

=Print.= Push the back of right flat curved hand slowly and firmly against the palm of the left curved ditto, as in _Picture_, only several times. Compare _Quandary_, _Approach_, _Photograph_ etc.

=Prison= (House of bars). Sign for _House_, then hold 4 hands up, side by side for prison bars. Add _Man_ and _Look through_.

=Prison.= Sign _Prisoner_ and _House_.

Fr. _la prison_; Ger. _das Gefängnis_.

=Prisoner= (Arrested). Clinch the fists and cross the wrists as though bound, and press down a little.

Fr. _le prisonnier_; Ger. _der Gefangene_.

=Private.= See _Secret_.

=Produce= and =Product=. See _Result_.

=Prominent= or =Conspicuous= (Stands on a hill). Sign _Hill_ up high, then lay right G against it, pointing up, palm to self, back of right against left hand. See _Famous_.

Fr. _éminent_; Ger. _hervorragend_.

=Promise= (Word bound). Place the forefinger of right G perpendicularly against mouth; bring down fist and, parallel with it, the other fist, thumbs up; strike both down together twice. (Sheeaka.) Also see _Word of Honor_, or _Cross my Heart_.

=Promise.= Sign _Talk_ (i.e., _Word_), _Give_.

=Promise=, =Sworn= (I swear). Tap the chest with tips of flat right hand, then raise it, palm forward, and add _Talk_. (Sheeaka.) Compare _Oath_.

Fr. _la promesse_, _promettre_; Ger. _das Versprechen_, _versprechen_.

=Proof= or =Prove=. See _Show_.

=Propose.= See _Offer_.

=Protect.= See _Defend_.

Fr. _protéger_; Ger. _beschützen_.

=Push.= The same as _Begin_, which see.

Fr. _pousser_; Ger. _schieben_.

=Put.= See _Place_.

Q

=Quality.= See _Rank_.

=Quandary=, =In a fix=, =Run against=, or =Up against it=. Hold out the curved left hand nearly at arm’s length, back forward; push the ditto right from near the breast right out briskly and hard against the left. Sometimes use _Against_. Compare _Approach_, which is similar, but is slow, and right does not touch; also, _Print_, which pushes and is repeated.

Fr. _l’embarras_; Ger. _die Verlegenheit_.

=Quarter= (But one of four). Hold up the left 4 hand, back out; then with the right G turn the little finger down on the palm. Sometimes sign _Half_, then again half of the tip portion.

Fr. _le quart_; Ger. _das Viertel_.

=Quarrel= (Two persons springing at each other). Hold up both G hands and alternately jerk left at right and right at left.

Fr. _la querelle_; Ger. _der Streit_.

=Quench.= _Fire_ and _Wipe out_.

Fr. _éteindre_; Ger. _löschen_.

=Question=, =Query=, =Interrogation=, =I am asking you a question=, =I want to know=, usually equivalent to “Is that you?” (Groping or uncertain.) Hold up the right hand toward the person, palm down and forward, fingers and thumb open, spread, but a little curved; by wrist action, swing the hand in small vertical semicircles. The diagram below the illustration indicates the finger tips seen from in front. The motion shown for the little finger is, of course, shared by all. This is a very important and much-used sign; it appears before all questions.

If the person is quite distant, hold the hand higher, more spread, and wave it several times to right and left.

When very near, merely raise the eyebrows. For long distance, raise both arms like Y with hands flat and waved a little. (Crow.) See _Consider_.

Fr. _l’interrogation_; Ger. _die Frage_.

The following are needed in asking questions:

=How?= Sign _Question_ and _Work_ and _Way_.

Fr. _comment?_; Ger. _wie?_

=How many?= or =How much?= Sign _Question_; next hold the left hand
open, curved, palm up, fingers spread; then with right G digit,
quickly tap each finger on left in succession, closing it back toward
the left palm, beginning with the little finger.

Fr. _combien?_; Ger. _wie viele?_

=What?= (As in “What are you doing?” “What is it?”) Sign _Question_;
follow with the same sign much exaggerated; that is, with the arm
action, swing the right 5 hand, palm under, fingers slightly bent and
separated and pointing forward, in an arc of about a foot from right
over to left and back once or twice. The Cheyennes in general use
this, though they denied it when questioned. But it seems a good
logical sign, the large arc being equivalent to “object.”

Fr. _quoi?_ _que?_; Ger. _was?_

=When?= If seeking a definite answer as to length of time, make signs
for _Question_, _How many?_ and then specify time by sign for hours,
days, etc. If asking in general _When?_ sign _Question_ and _Time_.

=When?= If asking for an exact date or point hold up the left G, make
a circle around its tip with right G, which always points at it. On
reaching the starting point, the right G stops, touches the tip of
left G. (Sioux, given by Sheeaka.) This probably represents the shadow
going around the tree. See _Time_.

Fr. _quand?_; Ger. _wann?_

=Whence?= Strike to left with right G, back up, then over to right a
foot away, then back and again; point to the person and sign _Come_.
Usually it needs no _Question_.

Fr. _d’où?_; Ger. _woher?_

=Where?= or =Whither?= (What direction?). Sign _Question_; then with
forefinger sweep the horizon in a succession of bounds, a slight pause
at the bottom of each, the head following the finger. (Sioux and
Arapahoe.) The actual line of the finger is illustrated in the lower
plan, the hand being gracefully rotated on the wrist in doing it. Or
sign _Question_ and _Somewhere_.

=Where?= Sign _Question_ and _Look_.

=Where?= (In an abstract sense). Extend the open hands, palm up, from
the sides out low to the front, and swing them from side to side with
a look of inquiry on the face. (Pop.)

Fr. _où?_; Ger. _wo?_ _wohin?_

=Which?= (When the objects are in sight). Sign _Question_ and point
with right G in three or four directions, downward or toward the
objects in question.

=Which?= (When the objects are not in sight). Sign _Question_; then
hold left hand in front of you, with palm toward you, fingers to right
and held apart; place the end of the right forefinger on that of the
left forefinger and then draw it down across the other fingers.

Fr. _quel_, _lequel?_; Ger. _welcher?_

=Whither?= Sign _Question_ and _Go_, in two or three directions.

Fr. _où?_; Ger. _wohin?_

=Who?= Sign _Question_ and _Man_.

Fr. _qui?_; Ger. _wer?_

=Why?= Sign _Question_, but do it very slowly. (C)

=Why?= Sign _Question_ and _Want_.

Fr. _pourquoi?_; Ger. _warum?_

=Quick.= See _Fast_ and _Hurry_.

=Quiet, be=, =Be not alarmed=, =Have patience=. The palm of the flat hand held toward the person and gently depressed once or twice. See _Easy_.

Fr. _soyez tranquille_; Ger. _beruhigen Sie sich_.

=Quiet, be.= See _Silence_.

=Quit.= See _Give up_; also _Finish_.

R

=Rabbit.= Move the M hand straight to the front, back up and undulating on the wrist, to imitate the rabbit hopping forward; then make V right hand and turn it to look back. (Scott.) The Cheyennes omit the second part of this.

Fr. _le lapin_; Ger. _der Hase_.

=Raccoon= or =Coon=. Draw the V hand horizontally across the face and nose. If necessary, also indicate _Size_ and striped tail.

Fr. _le raton_; Ger. _der Waschbär_.

=Race.= Move the index fingers forward and up, side by side, as in _Equal_; but keep them moving a long way forward and upward. Compare _Parallel_, _Marry_.

Fr. _la course_, _le concours_; Ger. _das Wettrennen_, _der Wettlauf_.

=Rags=, =In rags=. Touch _Coat_, add _Old_; then hold left 5 slightly curved, back up and use ditto right as though to comb out the fingers of left, once or twice.

Fr. _les guenilles_, _en loques_; Ger. _die Lumpen_, _zerlumpt_.

=Railroad train= or =Cars=. Sign _Fire_ twice upward for puffs, then add _Fast_. Compare _Motor car_.

Fr. _le train_ [_de chemin de fer_]; Ger. _der Eisenbahnzug_.

=Railroad.= Indicate _Train_ as above; then push the right G finger quickly along the back of the left V hand and on beyond. (Sheeaka.)

=Railroad.= Sign _Road_; then with the two G hands, backs up, indicate rails as in _Parallel_.

=Railroad.= Sign _Hard_ (i.e., metal); then hold out two G fingers, backs up, six inches apart, and push both together far forward and a little up.

Fr. _le chemin de fer_; Ger. _die Eisenbahn_.

=Railroad Station.= Make the signs of _Railway_ and _House_; adding, if necessary, _Alight_ and _Aboard_.

Fr. _la gare_; Ger. _der Bahnhof_.

=Rain= (Falling from clouds). Hold A hands, backs up, opposite forehead, near each other; lower them slightly, mostly by wrist action; at the same time open and separate fingers and thumb so they point downward; repeat.

Fr. _la pluie_; Ger. _der Regen_.

=Rainbow.= Sign _Rain_ then indicate the arch with a slow sweep of the flat right hand, back up, high above head.

Fr. _l’arc-en-ciel_; Ger. _der Regenbogen_.

=Rank= or =Quality= (Of a soldier.) With the right G, indicate stripes on left arm, or else touch each shoulder for epaulets.

=Rank= or =Quality=. Sign _Chief_; then lay upright right G, palm forward, against back of left ditto, as in _Rising man_, sliding the right up and down to various heights.

Fr. _le rang_; Ger. _der Rang_, _die Würde_.

=Rank, What is his?= Sign _Chief, Big_; _Chief, Little_; _Question_. Sometimes omit _Chief, Little_.

Fr. _quel rang-a-t-il?_; Ger. _Welchen Rang bekleidet er?_

=Rapid.= See _Fast_.

=Rapids.= Sign _River_, _Rock_; and pass the right 5 hand, back up, points first, swiftly forward and down, in an up and down waved course.

Fr. _le rapide_; Ger. _die Stromschnelle_.

=Rash= (Going forward blind). Hold left hand on eyes and point right G index forward, moving it to front.

Fr. _imprudent_; Ger. _unvorsichtig_, _verwegen_.

=Rattlesnake.= Sign _Snake_, then hold right G finger, pointing up, near shoulder, and shake it.

Fr. _le serpent à sonnettes_; Ger. _die Klapperschlange_.

=Reach.= _Arrive there._

=Ready=, =Orderly=, or =Arranged=. Extend the open hands, palm to palm, a few inches apart, pointing outward and parallel to each other, over toward the left side; lift them both together from the wrists, move toward the right a little and let them come down again; repeat the motion until by stages the hands have been moved over to the right side. (D)

=Ready.= Sign _All_, _Good_; or use _Arranged_, or combine them into _Arranged_, _All_, _Good_. See _Arranged_.

Fr. _prêt_; Ger. _bereit_, _fertig_.

=Recall to memory.= See _Bring back_.

=Receive.= Hold out hollow right hand, palm up, half open; draw it back, slightly closing fingers. Compare _Give to me_.

Fr. _recevoir_; Ger. _erhalten_.

=Recover=, =Get well=, =Get all right again=, =Revive=, or =Save=. Hold right G hand, back up, in front of breast, pointing to left and front; raise the hand with a graceful sweep, at same time turn it back to front and index pointing upward. The actual course of the index tip, if seen from above, is as in the dotted line under the hand.