LLabor.SeeWork.LakeLake.SignWaterand with both L hands make an incomplete horizontal circle, then bring wrists together and swing finger tips apart. The last gesture is to suggestWide. CompareIsland.Fr.le lac; Ger.der See.LameLame(Bobbing of horse’s head). Right A hand out in front,back up, moved forward a little and at the same time jerked down by wrist action and to left; repeat. CompareOldandKill.Fr.boiteux; Ger.lahm.LandLand,Country,Ground, orEarth(Flat and extended). Pat toward ground with one or both flat hands; then swing them apart, flat, palms down, on a broad upward sweep left and right.Fr.la campagne,la terre; Ger.das Land,die Erde.Lantern.SignEnclosure, but make it perpendicular; then in the same space signFiretwice.Fr.la lanterne; Ger.die Laterne.Large.SeeBigandHigh.Lasso.SignRope, then hold right L hand over right shoulder, back nearly to right, index pointing up; throw it forward, upward, and down, close index and thumb and jerk the hand back. Often omitRope.Fr.le lasso; Ger.die Wurfschlinge.LastLast.Hold up the left 5 hand, thumb nearest you; push it straight away, then tap the thumb with the G of the other hand. (Sheeaka.)Last(One, After). Hold up 5 left hand and, away behind it, the G right. (Blackfoot.) CompareFirstandGuide.Fr.le dernier; Ger.der Letzte.Last year.SignWinter,Beyond.Fr.l’année passée; Ger.voriges Jahr.Late.SeeAfter.Laugh.Hold both curved 5 hands, palms up, near the sides, a foot apart; then shake them up and down. ComparePlay.Fr.rire; Ger.lachen.Law(Written road). SignWrite, thenAcrosstwo or three times. CompareCouncil(No. 2.)Fr.la loi; Ger.das Gesetz.Lawyer.Whiteman,Law, andKnow.Fr.l’avocat; Ger.der Advokat.LazyLazyorTired. Shake the head, throw it back, then drop both nearly open, hands limply, one held out at each side motionless. CompareWeakandTired.Fr.paresseux,fatigué; Ger.faul,träge,müde.LeadLead.With right hand fingers grasp the flat left hand and drag it forward. (Sheeaka; borrowed from the Deaf.) Sometimes used also forTeacher.Lead.Hold right A hand high in front of right shoulder, back to right; move it forward by gentle jerks, as though leading a pony. SeeGuide.Fr.conduire; Ger.führen.LeafLeaf.SignTree, then shake right hand shoulder high, with thumb and index pointed nearly up, forming an incomplete circle, others closed. CompareMoneyandFruit.Fr.la feuille; Ger.das Blatt.Learn.SignBook, then follow the lines with the right G finger and last draw it toMe. Or signBook,Look,Know, making the last sign once or twice toward theBook. SeeLesson.Fr.apprendre; Ger.lernen.Leggings.Draw the L hands, backs out, one on each leg from well down to near hips.Fr.les grandes guêtres; Ger.die ledernen Gamaschen.Lend,Loan, orBorrow. SignGive you(or me) andBy and By,Give me(or you). Or,Give,Little while.Fr.prêter,emprunter; Ger.leihen,borgen.LessLess(Compressed). Hold the open flat hands a foot or two apart, palm to palm, one above the other. Hold the lower hand stationary and then draw the upper in jerks down toward the lower. SeeDecrease.Fr.moins; Ger.weniger.Let it alone.SeeAbandon.Letter(Sticking on the stamp). Indicate size of letter, then close right hand, thumb extended; wet thumb end on lips and press on open left palm.Fr.la lettre; Ger.der Brief.Level,All right. SeeGood, alsoPrairie.Liar.Make sign forLie; then indicate the person. To add the intensiveVery muchmakes it equivalent to the strong and unprintable English expression that is used in extreme cases.Fr.le menteur; Ger.der Lügner.Liberal.SeeGenerous.Liberate.SignPrisoner, throw the hands up and apart, then addGo. (C) SeePardon.Fr.délivrer; Ger.befreien.LieLieorFalse(Two tongues or forked tongue). Hold the right V hand, back out, a little in front and to the right of mouth, and pointing to left; move the hand to left, past mouth, and downward.Fr.le mensonge; Ger.die Lüge.Life.SeeAlive.Light(Not dark). SeeDay.Light(Not heavy). Hold out both flat hands, palms up; raise briskly together in one or two jerks. CompareHeavy, which is the same in pose, but in which the hands drop briskly. SeeHurry, which is similar but much faster and raised each time in one movement.Fr.léger; Ger.leicht.LightningLightningorThunderbolt. With right G index held high, make a quick zigzag downward.Fr.l’éclair; Ger.der Blitz.Like(To be partial to). SignWant.LikeorAlike. SeeEqual.Listen, I will not.Cover both ears with the hands and shake head. (Pop. and Blackfoot.)Fr.je n’écouterai pas; Ger.ich will nicht zuhören.Listen.Hold right L hand back to right near and around right ear; rotate the hand by wrist action (Cheyenne). Or hold hollowed right hand behind the right ear. (Popular sign understood by Cheyennes.) CompareHear.Fr.écouter; Ger.horchen.Little ofLittle of,Small,Piece of,Part. Hold right hand in front of body, shoulder high, back to right, end of thumb pressing against under side of index so that only about half an inch of index is seen beyond the thumb, other fingers closed. For emphasis, point at right with left G.LittleorSmall of Stature. For small animal, person, etc., indicate the stature by holding out flat right, palm down, above the ground or above the flat left, palm up. SeeBoy.LittleLittleorSmall degree or matter,Weak. Hold the right fist above the left as though both were grasping a thin stick, backs out. Twist the right hand and draw it in a little to the breast, turning it so the palm is a little upward instead of a little downward. CompareFew. NoteStrongis its analogue.Fr.petit,peu; Ger.klein,wenig.Live.SeeAlive.Live in.SeeDwell.Liver.Compress the right hand, bend it much at the wrist, hold it so the back is forward and down, fingers level and pointing back; lay it on the right side under the ribs, draw it to the middle of the body following under side of ribs.Fr.le foie; Ger.die Leber.LockLock.Against flat left palm turn thumb and index of right as a key.Fr.fermer à clef,la serrure; Ger.schlieszen,das Schlosz.LongLong.Fully extend the left arm forward and downward, hand flat, palm down; lay right G finger on the left wrist; then draw it up to the shoulder. Often useBig.Fr.long; Ger.lang.Longing.SignHeartandWant; orHeart,Want, andSee.Fr.le désir ardent; Ger.das Verlangen.Long timeLong time(Drawn out). Slowly draw the hands very far apart as though pulling out a piece of gum or elastic. SeeTime.Fr.longtemps; Ger.lange.LookLook.Make V hand and point with fingers in line of sight. CompareHuntingandSee.Fr.regarder; Ger.ansehen,hinsehen.Look at that.Point with forefinger at object and addSee. CompareThere.Fr.regardez cela,voyez; Ger.sehen Sie das an.Look out.SeeWarning.LooseorSet Free. SeeLiberate.LoseLose,Lost, orAstray(Hid, find, and not; apparently referring to the game of hide in the hand). Hold out both fists together, palms up, forHid; then look about and point with right G hand behind here and there and to one side; addNot. (Sheeaka.)LoseLose.The Cheyennes useHide, which see. CompareNight.Lost,I am lost. SignLook,Way,See,Not. (Blackfoot.)Fr.perdre,perdu; Ger.verlieren,verloren.Love.SeeFond.LowLow.Hold flat right hand low, back up.Fr.bas; Ger.niedrig.LuckLuck,Happen,Chance, orAccident(What turns up). Extend both G hands in front, palm side up; turn them in toward each other till the backs are up; forefingers still extended. Then addGoodorBad. (D) This suggests the gambling sticks in the Indian game. SeeOf.Luck(Whatever befalls me). SignMedicine, or shake the head and the flat hand in front of the neck, then swing right G in a curve till it strikes the breast. (Sheeaka. A doubtful Sioux sign.)Fr.la chance,l’accident; Ger.der Zufall.LumpLump(Apparently “hill” that can be held in the hand). Hold up the right A hand, waist high, palm to you, thumb pointing up, wrist bent so arm is nearly level. CompareHill.Fr.la petite masse; Ger.der Klumpen,die kleine Masse.LunchorLuncheon. SignNoonandEat.Fr.le déjeuner; Ger.das Mittagessen.Lungs.Hold the 5 hands on the breast, one at each side, and indicate slow heaving. CompareSick.Fr.les poumons; Ger.die Lungen.LynxLynx.With the C hand at each side of the face indicate ruffs; with rings of index fingers and thumbs, show the eyes; then on the G right with the G left show the bob tail. (Sheeaka.) This is a description rather than a name.Fr.le lynx; Ger.der Luchs.Lynx,Bay, orBob-cat.SignCatandShort tail. (Scott.) The Cheyennes, who do not know the true Lynx, signAnimalandShort tail.Fr.le lynx rouge; Ger.der Rotluchs,die amerikanische Wildkatze.
Labor.SeeWork.
Lake
Lake.SignWaterand with both L hands make an incomplete horizontal circle, then bring wrists together and swing finger tips apart. The last gesture is to suggestWide. CompareIsland.
Fr.le lac; Ger.der See.
Lame
Lame(Bobbing of horse’s head). Right A hand out in front,back up, moved forward a little and at the same time jerked down by wrist action and to left; repeat. CompareOldandKill.
Fr.boiteux; Ger.lahm.
Land
Land,Country,Ground, orEarth(Flat and extended). Pat toward ground with one or both flat hands; then swing them apart, flat, palms down, on a broad upward sweep left and right.
Fr.la campagne,la terre; Ger.das Land,die Erde.
Lantern.SignEnclosure, but make it perpendicular; then in the same space signFiretwice.
Fr.la lanterne; Ger.die Laterne.
Large.SeeBigandHigh.
Lasso.SignRope, then hold right L hand over right shoulder, back nearly to right, index pointing up; throw it forward, upward, and down, close index and thumb and jerk the hand back. Often omitRope.
Fr.le lasso; Ger.die Wurfschlinge.
Last
Last.Hold up the left 5 hand, thumb nearest you; push it straight away, then tap the thumb with the G of the other hand. (Sheeaka.)
Last(One, After). Hold up 5 left hand and, away behind it, the G right. (Blackfoot.) CompareFirstandGuide.
Fr.le dernier; Ger.der Letzte.
Last year.SignWinter,Beyond.
Fr.l’année passée; Ger.voriges Jahr.
Late.SeeAfter.
Laugh.Hold both curved 5 hands, palms up, near the sides, a foot apart; then shake them up and down. ComparePlay.
Fr.rire; Ger.lachen.
Law(Written road). SignWrite, thenAcrosstwo or three times. CompareCouncil(No. 2.)
Fr.la loi; Ger.das Gesetz.
Lawyer.Whiteman,Law, andKnow.
Fr.l’avocat; Ger.der Advokat.
Lazy
LazyorTired. Shake the head, throw it back, then drop both nearly open, hands limply, one held out at each side motionless. CompareWeakandTired.
Fr.paresseux,fatigué; Ger.faul,träge,müde.
Lead
Lead.With right hand fingers grasp the flat left hand and drag it forward. (Sheeaka; borrowed from the Deaf.) Sometimes used also forTeacher.
Lead.Hold right A hand high in front of right shoulder, back to right; move it forward by gentle jerks, as though leading a pony. SeeGuide.
Fr.conduire; Ger.führen.
Leaf
Leaf.SignTree, then shake right hand shoulder high, with thumb and index pointed nearly up, forming an incomplete circle, others closed. CompareMoneyandFruit.
Fr.la feuille; Ger.das Blatt.
Learn.SignBook, then follow the lines with the right G finger and last draw it toMe. Or signBook,Look,Know, making the last sign once or twice toward theBook. SeeLesson.
Fr.apprendre; Ger.lernen.
Leggings.Draw the L hands, backs out, one on each leg from well down to near hips.
Fr.les grandes guêtres; Ger.die ledernen Gamaschen.
Lend,Loan, orBorrow. SignGive you(or me) andBy and By,Give me(or you). Or,Give,Little while.
Fr.prêter,emprunter; Ger.leihen,borgen.
Less
Less(Compressed). Hold the open flat hands a foot or two apart, palm to palm, one above the other. Hold the lower hand stationary and then draw the upper in jerks down toward the lower. SeeDecrease.
Fr.moins; Ger.weniger.
Let it alone.SeeAbandon.
Letter(Sticking on the stamp). Indicate size of letter, then close right hand, thumb extended; wet thumb end on lips and press on open left palm.
Fr.la lettre; Ger.der Brief.
Level,All right. SeeGood, alsoPrairie.
Liar.Make sign forLie; then indicate the person. To add the intensiveVery muchmakes it equivalent to the strong and unprintable English expression that is used in extreme cases.
Fr.le menteur; Ger.der Lügner.
Liberal.SeeGenerous.
Liberate.SignPrisoner, throw the hands up and apart, then addGo. (C) SeePardon.
Fr.délivrer; Ger.befreien.
Lie
LieorFalse(Two tongues or forked tongue). Hold the right V hand, back out, a little in front and to the right of mouth, and pointing to left; move the hand to left, past mouth, and downward.
Fr.le mensonge; Ger.die Lüge.
Life.SeeAlive.
Light(Not dark). SeeDay.
Light(Not heavy). Hold out both flat hands, palms up; raise briskly together in one or two jerks. CompareHeavy, which is the same in pose, but in which the hands drop briskly. SeeHurry, which is similar but much faster and raised each time in one movement.
Fr.léger; Ger.leicht.
Lightning
LightningorThunderbolt. With right G index held high, make a quick zigzag downward.
Fr.l’éclair; Ger.der Blitz.
Like(To be partial to). SignWant.
LikeorAlike. SeeEqual.
Listen, I will not.Cover both ears with the hands and shake head. (Pop. and Blackfoot.)
Fr.je n’écouterai pas; Ger.ich will nicht zuhören.
Listen.Hold right L hand back to right near and around right ear; rotate the hand by wrist action (Cheyenne). Or hold hollowed right hand behind the right ear. (Popular sign understood by Cheyennes.) CompareHear.
Fr.écouter; Ger.horchen.
Little of
Little of,Small,Piece of,Part. Hold right hand in front of body, shoulder high, back to right, end of thumb pressing against under side of index so that only about half an inch of index is seen beyond the thumb, other fingers closed. For emphasis, point at right with left G.
LittleorSmall of Stature. For small animal, person, etc., indicate the stature by holding out flat right, palm down, above the ground or above the flat left, palm up. SeeBoy.
Little
LittleorSmall degree or matter,Weak. Hold the right fist above the left as though both were grasping a thin stick, backs out. Twist the right hand and draw it in a little to the breast, turning it so the palm is a little upward instead of a little downward. CompareFew. NoteStrongis its analogue.
Fr.petit,peu; Ger.klein,wenig.
Live.SeeAlive.
Live in.SeeDwell.
Liver.Compress the right hand, bend it much at the wrist, hold it so the back is forward and down, fingers level and pointing back; lay it on the right side under the ribs, draw it to the middle of the body following under side of ribs.
Fr.le foie; Ger.die Leber.
Lock
Lock.Against flat left palm turn thumb and index of right as a key.
Fr.fermer à clef,la serrure; Ger.schlieszen,das Schlosz.
Long
Long.Fully extend the left arm forward and downward, hand flat, palm down; lay right G finger on the left wrist; then draw it up to the shoulder. Often useBig.
Fr.long; Ger.lang.
Longing.SignHeartandWant; orHeart,Want, andSee.
Fr.le désir ardent; Ger.das Verlangen.
Long time
Long time(Drawn out). Slowly draw the hands very far apart as though pulling out a piece of gum or elastic. SeeTime.
Fr.longtemps; Ger.lange.
Look
Look.Make V hand and point with fingers in line of sight. CompareHuntingandSee.
Fr.regarder; Ger.ansehen,hinsehen.
Look at that.Point with forefinger at object and addSee. CompareThere.
Fr.regardez cela,voyez; Ger.sehen Sie das an.
Look out.SeeWarning.
LooseorSet Free. SeeLiberate.
Lose
Lose,Lost, orAstray(Hid, find, and not; apparently referring to the game of hide in the hand). Hold out both fists together, palms up, forHid; then look about and point with right G hand behind here and there and to one side; addNot. (Sheeaka.)
Lose
Lose.The Cheyennes useHide, which see. CompareNight.
Lost,I am lost. SignLook,Way,See,Not. (Blackfoot.)
Fr.perdre,perdu; Ger.verlieren,verloren.
Love.SeeFond.
Low
Low.Hold flat right hand low, back up.
Fr.bas; Ger.niedrig.
Luck
Luck,Happen,Chance, orAccident(What turns up). Extend both G hands in front, palm side up; turn them in toward each other till the backs are up; forefingers still extended. Then addGoodorBad. (D) This suggests the gambling sticks in the Indian game. SeeOf.
Luck(Whatever befalls me). SignMedicine, or shake the head and the flat hand in front of the neck, then swing right G in a curve till it strikes the breast. (Sheeaka. A doubtful Sioux sign.)
Fr.la chance,l’accident; Ger.der Zufall.
Lump
Lump(Apparently “hill” that can be held in the hand). Hold up the right A hand, waist high, palm to you, thumb pointing up, wrist bent so arm is nearly level. CompareHill.
Fr.la petite masse; Ger.der Klumpen,die kleine Masse.
LunchorLuncheon. SignNoonandEat.
Fr.le déjeuner; Ger.das Mittagessen.
Lungs.Hold the 5 hands on the breast, one at each side, and indicate slow heaving. CompareSick.
Fr.les poumons; Ger.die Lungen.
Lynx
Lynx.With the C hand at each side of the face indicate ruffs; with rings of index fingers and thumbs, show the eyes; then on the G right with the G left show the bob tail. (Sheeaka.) This is a description rather than a name.
Fr.le lynx; Ger.der Luchs.
Lynx,Bay, orBob-cat.SignCatandShort tail. (Scott.) The Cheyennes, who do not know the true Lynx, signAnimalandShort tail.
Fr.le lynx rouge; Ger.der Rotluchs,die amerikanische Wildkatze.