Sign talk

by Ernest Thompson Seton

Idea, Thought (Thought expressed). Lay the right G on the forehead, pointing up, palm to left; swing it down to horizontal at mouth level, then push it straight forward and up in a curve. Compare So.

Fr. l’idée; la pensée; Ger. die Idee, der Gedanke.

Idle. Sign Work and Not.

Fr. paresseux; Ger. müszig.

If, Doubt, Undecided, Perhaps, or Maybe so (Heart looking two ways). Lay the right V hand on the heart, pointed down and to left front; rotate the hand on the wrist so the back is alternately up and out. When

many emotions (i.e., perplexity) are to be expressed, use all fingers extended. See Consider.

Fr. si, peut-être; Ger. wenn, ob, vielleicht.

Ignorance (I don’t know). Shrug shoulders and raise one flat hand. (Pop.) Or, sign Know, Not. Compare Forget.