Part 12
=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.
If one is near death by disease, this may be used to denote recovery; if in great danger, this would mean escaped.
Fr. _se porter mieux_, _se rétablir_; Ger. _sich erholen_.
=Recreation.= See _Play_.
=Reduce.= See _Decrease_.
=Reflect.= See _Idea_ and _Consider_.
=Refuse.= See _Won’t_.
=Religion.= Sign _Medicine_ and _Way_.
Fr. _la religion_; Ger. _die Religion_.
=Remain.= See _Sit_.
=Remember.= Sign _Heart_, _Know_. Or, in popular code, touch the forehead with right G, raise the brows and nod.
=Remember, I=; or =Understand=. Hold right G index upright and grasp it firmly with left hand, face high.
Fr. _je me souviens_; Ger. _ich erinnere mich_.
=Remember not= (It slips from my grasp). As above, but let the right G index slip down and out. See _Forget_.
Fr. _je ne me souviens pas_; Ger. _ich erinnere mich nicht_.
=Remembering.= See _Memories_.
=Repeat=, =Again=, or =Back.= Place the finger tips of the compressed right hand on the left palm, as the latter is held in front of the body, back down, and strike once or twice. (Sheeaka. Probably borrowed from Deaf.) Compare _Once_, _Twice_, _Often_, and _More_.
=Repeat.= Hold up right G, chin high, back up, pointing to left and forward; lash down with it like a whip twice or more as best fits in. Sometimes sign _Come back_. Compare _All the time_.
Fr. _répéter_; Ger. _wiederholen_.
=Reply.= See _Answer_.
=Request.= See _Beg_.
=Resemble.= See _Alike_.
=Respond.= See _Answer_.
=Responsible.= Sign _I_ (or whoever it is), _Do_, _That_ Or _My_ (or _His_) _Way_. (Seger.) Sign _Carry_ and _That_ (Suggested.)
Fr. _responsable_; Ger. _verantwortlich_.
=Restaurant= or =Hotel=. Sign for _House_ and _Eat_.
Fr. _le restaurant_, _l’hôtel_; Ger. _das Restaurant_, _das Hotel_.
=Restrain= or =Prevent=. Sign _Hold_ and _Keep quiet_. Sometimes use _Do not_.
Fr. _réprimer_, _empêcher_; Ger. _zurückhalten_, _verhindern_.
=Result.= Sign _After, Work, See_.
Fr. _le résultat_; Ger. _das Ergebnis, die Folge_.
=Retreat= (Of many). Sign _Charge_, then reverse and withdraw the hands.
=Retreat= (Of one). Sign _Going_, then turn the G hand palm toward you and draw it back with similar action. (Understood; not established.)
Fr. _la retraite_; Ger. _der Rückzug_.
=Reverie.= Bow the head, resting the mouth on the A fist. Compare _Memories_.
Fr. _la rêverie_; Ger. _die Träumerei_.
=Revile.= See _Blackguarding_.
=Revive.= See _Recover_.
=Revolver.= Sign for drawing from belt behind and present the same, using right G hand, back to right. Add _Fire-off_, if need be. See _Gun_.
Fr. _le pistolet, le revolver_; Ger. _der Revolver_.
=Rich.= Sign _Possesses, Heap, Money_.
Fr. _riche_; Ger. _reich_.
=Ride= (To ride an animal). Hold the hands as in _Horse_, and then move the hands to the front on short vertical curves.
Fr. _aller à cheval_; Ger. _reiten_.
=Ridge= (Of hills). Hold the A hands touching, thumbs toward face and upright; draw them apart a foot. Compare _Soldiers_ and _Hill_.
=Ridge.= Sign _Hill_ with right, then hold 5 out at arm’s length, face high, flat, and bent, so the fingers point to the left; swing it slowly horizontally across to the right. This last seems to mean “lying across the horizon” and appears in several combinations. See _Mirage_.
Fr. _la crête_; Ger. _der Kamm_.
=Rifle.= See _Gun_.
=Right.= See _Good_.
=Rill.= See _Creek_.
=Ring= (For finger). Hold up left 5 hand; then with right index and thumb make as though slipping a ring on the ring finger.
Fr. _la bague_; Ger. _der Ring_.
=Rising man=, or =Coming man= (Man rising to stand on a hill). Hold up left as in _Hill_; lay right G behind or beside it, against the thumb, palm forward, pointing up; push right up until the base of the index is sitting on top of the left; that is, becomes _Prominent_. See _Prominent_ and _Famous_.
Fr. _l’homme qui arrivera_; Ger. _der Mann der Zukunft_.
=River=, =Big stream=, or =Running water=. Sign _Water_ then with tremulous movement draw flat right 4 hand, palm down, from opposite left breast to opposite right; fingers always level and pointing to left. Compare _Creek_ and _Rill_.
Fr. _la rivière_; Ger. _der Flusz_.
=Road= (i.e., Highroad; especially between high banks, hills, or fences). Holding the open hands, palm to palm and pointing forward, carry them forward, as if they represented the sides of a road; then add _Going_ by pushing the flat right hand forward in line between, palm to left, fingers level. (Sheeaka.) Or sign _Way_ and _Wagon_.
Fr. _le chemin_, _la route_; Ger. _der Weg_, _die Landstrasse_.
=Robe.= Sign _Coat_; but instead of ending at waist, sweep the hands as low as possible.
Fr. _la robe_; Ger. _das Kleid_, _die Robe_.
=Rock= or =Stone.= Sign _Hard_ and sometimes indicate shape. For _Stone_ add _Lump_. Compare _Metal_.
Fr. _la roche_, _la pierre_; Ger. _der Fels_, _der Stein_.
=Root.= First sign _Tree_ or _Grass_, as may be; then point down, place the 5 hands together at the wrists, backs up and level; pointing left to front and left, right to front and right; then move them out and apart.
Fr. _la racine_; Ger. _die Wurzel_.
=Rope= (Trailing after the horse and twisted). Sign _After_; then, as right is drawn to rear, make tip of index describe a spiral curve. Commonly omit the left hand.
Fr. _la corde_; Ger. _das Seil_, _der Strick_.
=Rose= (Flower). Hold the fingers of the left hand straight, little separated, arranged in a circle, back to left and front; in front of body, index finger horizontal and pointing to right and front; with right hand make as though picking berries from the left finger tips. (C)
Fr. _la rose_; Ger. _die Rose_.
=Rotten= (Meat). Indicate smell, etc.
Fr. _pourri_; Ger. _faul_, _verfault_.
=Rub it out=, =Erase=, =Annul=, =Never mind=, =As you were=. Put middle finger of right hand to tongue, then rub left palm and wipe the palm with under side of right forearm. (Sheeaka. A white man’s sign now understood by Indians.)
Or, if afar, simply shake the flat right hand quickly and vigorously from side to side as it is held palm forward in front of the face. (Pop.) Compare _Easy_ and _Erase_.
Fr. _effacer_; Ger. _auswischen_, “_Schwamm drüber!_”
=Rumor= (A little flying thing). With flat 5 right hand, palm down, shoulder high, swing out level from throat to right, working all the fingers as in playing piano. (A Paiute sign, given me by Mary Austin.) A combination of _Wind_ and _Fly_.
Fr. _la rumeur_; Ger. _das Gerücht_.
=Run.= Swing the fists at each side as in running.
Fr. _courir_; Ger. _laufen_.
=Run against.= See _Quandary_.
=Run away=, =Slip away=, =Clear out=, =Sneak= (Run under cover). Hold out flat left hand, palm down; push right G hand under it quickly and sinuously. Sometimes preface it by laying one hand over the eyes. Compare _Jealous_.
Fr. _filer_, _se sauver_; Ger. _ausreiszen_, _weglaufen_.
=Running Water.= See _River_.
S
=Sacred.= See _Medicine_.
=Sad.= See _Sorrow_.
=Saddle.= Hold out both S hands, palms up, side by side (sometimes inches apart), about height of shoulders, forearms vertical, wrists bent so backs of hands are nearly down.
Fr. _la selle_; Ger. _der Sattel_.
=Safe.= See _Recover_ or _Alive_.
=Sage Brush= (Bunches). With all finger tips together pointing up, swing the hand to various places in front of right shoulder. (C) Compare _Peak_ and _Canoe_.
=Sage.= Sign _White_, _Good smell_, _Grass_.
Fr. _la plante aromatique de la prairie_; Ger. _der Präriebusch_.
=Salt.= Sign _Powder_, then the act of sprinkling with finger and thumb. (Blackfoot.) Touch the tongue cautiously with the right G. Compare _Sugar_ and _Pepper_.
Fr. _le sel_; Ger. _das Salz_.
=Same.= See _Equal_.
=Sanctuary, to claim.= See _Bar up_.
=Satisfied.= See _Contented_.
=Save.= See _Recover_, also _Free_.
=Save= or =Except=. See _But_.
=Savey= or =Sabe=. This word universal in the west is the same sign as _Know_.
=Saw.= With lower edge of right, thumb up, saw across the upper edge of left wrist held out horizontally.
Fr. _la scie_; Ger. _die Säge_.
=Say.= See _Call_.
=Scalp= (To). Point to scalp, make as though pulling it forward and sign _Cutting_ under. The last two gestures being done out in front of the body.
Fr. _scalper_; Ger. _die Kopfhaut abziehen_.
=Scatter!= (A command to scouts). See _Go_ and _Scatter_.
=Scatter= or =Sow= (As seeds). Hold the closed hands, backs up, near each other and close to breast; move right hand well to front and right, left well to front and left; that is, widely separate the hands, swinging each in a half-circle out, so the palms are a little outward, at the same time extending and separating fingers and thumbs. (C) Compare _Bad_ and _Scorn_; in these the hands are not moved apart.
=Scatter.= Swing closed right to left, there opening to 5 so palm is to left and forward; then same movement with hand opened to right, each time in a graceful sweep. The Cheyennes say the above is _Throw away_.
Fr. _disperser_, _semer_; Ger. _ausstreuen_, _säen_.
=Schoolhouse.= Sign _House_ and _Writing_; usually preceded by _Children_.
Fr. _l’école_; Ger. _die Schule_.
=Schoolteacher.= Sign _Book_ and _Chief_.
Fr. _le maître d’ école_; Ger. _der Lehrer_.
=Scold.= See _Abuse_; also _Fault-finding_.
=Scorn.= Turn the head away and with one hand throw an imaginary handful of sand toward the feet of the person. This is the same as _Bad_, except for the turn of the head.
Fr. _le mépris_; Ger. _die Verachtung_.
=Scout.= Same as _Wolf_, but hold the hand near the right ear. Sometimes use _Advance Guard_, which see. The Cheyennes sometimes sign it as _Wolf_, _Soldier_.
Fr. _le coureur_ (_d’ armée_); Ger. _der Späher_.
=Scout, to.= Sign _Wolf_ and _Look_.
Fr. _aller à la découverte_; Ger. _spähen_.
=Scout=; that is, _Boy Scout_. Hold up the right hand with finger and thumb forming a ring, other three fingers straight up. (Pop.)
Fr. _le petit éclaireur_; Ger. _der jugendliche Pfadfinder_.
=Scout=; of the _highest degree_. Add the sign _Wolf_ to the foregoing. (Suggested.)
=Scout leader= or =Patrol leader=. Sign _Boy Scout_; then lay the 4 left hand on left side of head to indicate plume. (Suggested.)
=Scout, Tenderfoot.= Make signs _Boy Scout_ and _Small_. (Suggested.)
=Sculptor.= Right fist closed, thumb held up straight and free, then used as a trowel on an imaginary wall. (Pop.)
Fr. _le sculpteur_; Ger. _der Bildhauer_.
=Search me.= With a hand grasping each lapel, spread open the coat. (Pop.)
Fr. _examinez-moi_; Ger. _was weisz ich?_ (Pop.)
=Seasons.= The four seasons are _Little Grass_ (_Spring_); _High Grass_ (_Summer_); _Leaf Fall_ (_Autumn_); and _Cold_ or _Snow_ (_Winter_). Each is given in alphabetic place.
=Secret= or =Private= (Talk under cover). Left hand flat, horizontal, near left cheek; with right, sign _Talk_ under it. Usually sign _Talk_ and _Hide_.
Fr. _le secret_; Ger. _das Geheimnis_.
=Seek.= See _Hunt_.
=See.= The fingers of V hand pointed forward (as in _Look_) then advanced a little in the line of sight; sometimes for extra point, it is changed into G hand and pushed forward. Also compare _Hunt_ and _Lie_, _Look_ and _Find_. The difference between _Look_ and _See_ is not observed by most Indians; but it is well to maintain it.
Fr. _voir_; Ger. _sehen_.
=See me.= Point at one’s own chin with the right V hand and touch breast.
Fr. _voyez-moi_; Ger. _sehen Sie mich_.
=Seem.= See _Appear_.
=Seize.= Move the open hands forward; grasp and draw back as though seizing some object.
Fr. _saisir_; Ger. _ergreifen_.
=Select.= See _Choose_.
=Sell.= See _Trade_. On the Stock Exchange, the clenched fist thrown forward and down means _Sell_. Probably in imitation of the auctioneer’s hammer. See _Kill_.
=Sell=, =Sold= or =Bought= i.e., =Marketed=. On middle of side of left G held out, tap two or three times with middle side of right G. This is also used for _Buy_, which see for illustration. It is supposed to have had origin in an old gambling game. See _Trade_.
Fr. _vendre_; Ger. _verkaufen_.
=Send= (Command and Go). Hold the right A near the breast; swing it out, up and down a foot; then swing the right G higher and farther. (Sheeaka.)
Fr. _envoyer_; Ger. _senden_, _schicken_.
=Separate= or =Apart=. Lay the G fingers side by side, backs up; spring them apart, widest at tips, moving them forward and out.
Fr. _séparer_; Ger. _trennen_.
=Several.= Extend the fingers of the right A hand, one at a time, beginning with the index. (Sheeaka.)
Fr. _plusieurs_; Ger. _mehrere_.
=Sew.= Hold flat left hand index edge up, thumb level with index; move right G hand index with extended thumb, across left index once or twice as in sewing; each time nearer the body and each time turning the right index nail down, as it is moved forward. Compare _Awl_.
Fr. _coudre_; Ger. _nähen_.
=Shade.= Sign _Sun_, _Not_.
=Shadow= (Of a person). Indicate the person; then sign _Going_, _There by me_, _Same_. _There by me_ is indicated by pointing to the ground on the left side with right G.
Fr. _l’ombre_; Ger. _der Schatten_.
=Shall.= See _Will_.
=Shaman.= See _Medicine-man_.
=Shame= (On you). (The finger of scorn made sharper.) Point left index at person, all others closed; and with right index similarly held, rub it on back of left index from middle to tip and beyond. (Pop.) See _Ashamed_. In France the idea is conveyed by the _Horns_. See _Evil Eye_.
Fr. _fi! fi donc!_ (Pop.); Ger. _Schäme dich!_
=Sharp= or =Keen=. Hold out flat right hand, palm up; touch little finger edge lightly with ball of left thumb and add _Good_. For _Sharp points_ see _Porcupine_.
Fr. _affílé_; Ger. _scharf_.
=Shave.= Use the flat right hand as a razor, palm to right, points up, little finger next right cheek as the edge; move it toward the right ear.
Fr. (_se_) _raser_; Ger. (_sich_) _rasieren_.
=Shawl.= Sign _Blanket_ and _Fringe_. For _Fringe_, hold out the left 5 hand points forward, level; then push the similar right over it forward several times.
Fr. _le châle_; Ger. _der Schal_.