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?