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.