The American Indian is extremely pictorial in his habits of thought and
in his modes of expression. Even his every-day speech is full of symbols
drawn from the natural world. Yet more poetic and descriptive in
character is that form of communication properly called "gesture
speech," but commonly known as "Indian sign-language."
This language is most fully developed among the tribes of the Great
Plains, many of whom speak entirely different tongues, for use in their
frequent meetings, either accidental or for the purpose of concluding a
treaty of peace. It is also used by deaf mutes among Indians. It has
been learned and elaborately written out by several authorities, chief
of whom is Captain W. R. Clark of the United States Army. Being
understood by few, it will serve excellently as a secret code, so much
desired by young people, and is especially appropriate to the
ceremonials of Boy Scouts and Camp Fire Girls.
We Indian boys were taught from babyhood to be silent, to listen to the
things that nature is saying all about us. But since it is hard for a
healthy boy to keep his discoveries and observations entirely to
himself, he must devise some outlet. Our silent communication, our
"wireless," was the gesture-language.
It should be remembered that among Indians the whole body speaks, and
that all oratory, and even conversation, is accompanied by graceful and
significant gestures. The accomplished user will make the signs herein
described rapidly and smoothly, investing the whole with genuine charm,
as a novel kind of pantomime. For it will be seen that these are no
arbitrary signs, but actual air-pictures, and not manual only, since
they include a variety of movements and considerable facial expression.
The construction or grammar of the sign-language is simple. Adjectives
follow nouns, conjunctions and prepositions are omitted, and verbs are
used in the present tense only. The following signs, well-learned, will
enable one to carry on a short conversation, and many more may be
devised along these lines by an ingenious boy or girl.
_Attention, or Question_. Hold right hand, palm outward, fingers and
thumb separated, well out in front of body at height of shoulder. This
is used to begin a conversation.
_I understand_. Throw right forearm out in front of body with fingers
closed, except index finger, which is curved and drawn back. This
indicates that you grasp and draw something toward you, and is used
occasionally while another is talking. If you do not understand, use the
Question sign.
_I_. Touch breast with index finger of right hand.
_Glad_. (Sunshine in the heart.) Place compressed right hand, fingers
slightly curved, over region of heart; bring left hand, palm downward,
in sweeping curve to left of body, at the same time turning it palm
upward, as if turning up or unfolding something. The expression of the
face should correspond.
_Sad_. Place the closed fist against the heart. Appropriate facial
expression.
_Surprised_. Cover mouth with palm of right hand, open eyes widely, and
move head slightly backward.
_Angry_. (Mind twisted.) Place closed right fist against forehead and
twist from right to left.
_Ashamed_. (Blanket over face.) Bring both hands, palms inward, fingers
touching, in front of and near the face.
_Good_. (Level with heart.) Hold extended right hand, back up, close to
region of heart; move briskly forward and to right.
_Bad_. (Throw away.) Hold one or both hands, closed, in front of body,
backs upward; open with a snap, at the same time moving them outward and
downward.
_Brave, Strong_. Hold firmly closed left hand in front of body, left arm
pointing to right and front; bring closed right hand above and a little
in front of left, and strike downwards, imitating the blow of a hammer.
(This gesture, vigorously made, intensifies any previous statement or
description.)
_Alone_. Hold up index finger.
_On Horseback_. Place first and second finger of right hand astride left
index finger. Motion of galloping may be made, or a Fall from the horse
represented.
_Tent, or Wigwam_. Bring both hands together at the finger tips, forming
a cone.
_House_. Interlock fingers of both hands, holding them at right angles.
_Camp_. Sign for _Tent_, then form circle with arms and hands in front
of body.
_City, or Village_. Sign for _House_, then _Camp_ sign.
_Sleep_. Incline head to right and rest cheek on right palm. For going
into camp, or to indicate the length of a journey, make sign for _Sleep_
and hold up as many fingers as nights were spent on the way.
_Time_ is told by indicating the position of the sun; the _Seasons_ as
follows:
_Spring_. (Little grass.) Hold hands, palms upward, well down in front,
fingers and thumbs well separated and slightly curved; separate hands
slightly. Then hold right hand in front of body, back to right, closing
fingers so that only tip of index finger projects. (This last sign for
_Little_.)
_Summer_. Sign for _Grass_, holding hands at height of waist.
_Autumn_. (Falling leaves.) Hold right hand above head, fingers closed,
except index finger and thumb, which form nearly a circle; bring hand
slowly downward with wavering motion.
_Winter_. Hold closed hands in front of body and several inches apart;
give shivering motion to hands.
To indicate _Age_, give sign for _Winter_ and hold up fingers; all
counting is done in the same way, in multiples of ten; as, for one
hundred, open and close fingers of both hands ten times.
_Color_ is usually indicated by pointing to some object of the color
spoken of.
_Brother_. Touch first and second finger to lips.
_Sister_. Sign for _Brother_, and that for _Woman_.
_Woman_. (Long hair.) Bring both palms down sides of head, shoulders,
and bosom, with sweeping gesture.
_Love_. Cross both arms over bosom.
_Give Me_. Hold right hand well out in front of body, palm upward,
close, and bring in toward body.
_Beautiful_. Hold palms up like mirror in front of face; make sign for
_Good_.
_Ugly_. Same as above, with sign for _Bad_.
_Peace_. Clasp both hands in front of body.
_Quarrel_. Hold index fingers, pointing upward, opposite and a few
inches apart; move sharply toward each other, alternating motion.
_Liar_. (Forked tongue.) Bring separated first and second fingers of
right hand close to lips.
_Scout_. (This is also the sign for Wolf.) Hold first and second fingers
of right hand, extended and pointing upward, near right shoulder, to
indicate pointed ears.
_Trail_. Hold extended hands, palms up, side by side in front of body;
move right to rear and left to front a few inches; alternate motion.
_It is finished_. Bring closed hands in front of body, thumbs up, second
joints touching; then separate. This sign ends a speech or conversation.