TTable(Flat top, square shape). Swing flat hands, palms down, as inBroadturn sharply and draw both toward you; with a V hand on each side, strike down for legs, then signOnandEat. A description, not an established sign.Fr.la table; Ger.der Tisch.TailTail.Right G hand, back up, at left side, pointing back and down.Fr.la queue; Ger.der Schwanz.TakeTakeorBring(From some one else). Reach out the G hand, hook the index and draw it toward you, in and upward, as though pulling a string up and back. CompareSteal.Fr.prendre(de quelqu’un); Ger.nehmen(von Jemandem).Take(From oneself). The same, but point index toward body, hook it and draw away.Fr.prendre(de soi-même); Ger.nehmen(von sich selber).Take from.SeeSubtract.TalkTalkorSay(A little talk). Hold right hand under mouth, index and thumb tips together, pointing forward, and move slightly forward, snapping the index from behind the thumb two or three times. CompareCalled,Telltale,Speech,Bark.Fr.parler; Ger.sprechen.Talk, to meTalk, to me.Make the same gesture as above, but point and draw the hand toward the cheek.TallTallorHigh. Move the flat right straight up to arm’s length, back out.Fr.grand,haut; Ger.hoch,grosz.TangleTangleorTangled. Revolve the 5 hands, in and out, one about the other. ComparePlay.Fr.embrouiller; Ger.verwirren.TasteTaste.Join the first finger and thumb, rest their points on the lower lip and work the lips. CompareSalt,Sugar,Sour, andBitter.Fr.goûter; Ger.schmecken.Taste bad(To taste and throw away). SignTasteandBad. (Seger.)Fr.avoir un goût mauvais; Ger.schlecht schmecken.Tattler.SeeTelltale.TattooTattoo.Tap the place with all five finger tips in a point.Fr.tatouer; Ger.tätowieren.TeaTea(Stirring it). Trace the rim of the left O hand with the thumb and finger tip of the right O hand, other fingers extended. (Sheeaka.) CompareStir. Or signLeaf,Drink.Fr.le thé; Ger.der Tee.Teacher.SignWritingandChief. See alsoGuide.Fr.le professeur; Ger.der Lehrer.Team.SignHorse,Two; with L hand indicateHalterand addCoatforHarness.Fr.l’attelage; Ger.das Gespann.TeepeeTeepeeorLodge. Cross the tips of the G fingers held high. InTentthey are not crossed.Fr.la loge (la hutte) des Indiens; Ger.die Indianerhütte.Telegraph.On forefinger of left G hand, palm up, tap with crooked forefinger of right hand, as thoughtelegraphing; then shoot it along left forefinger and on in line. (Crow sign, La Forge.)TelegraphTelegraph.SignWire, then tap on it two or three times with right G and addTalk, shooting it far ahead.Fr.le télégraphe; Ger.der Telegraph.Telephone.SignWire; raise O hand to the ear like the receiver, then addTalk.Fr.le téléphone; Ger.der Fernsprecher.Tell about.SeeExplainandSpeech.Tell me.SeeTalkandSpeech.Tell-taleTell-tale,Tattling, orTattle(Magpie or Chatterer). Make a bill with forefinger and thumb; hold it at the mouth, pointing forward; open and shut it, but do not advance it. Note, it does not get anywhere;Talkdoes.Fr.le rapporteur; Ger.der Ausplauderer.Tenderfoot.Make signs forScoutandLittle. (Scott.)Fr.le novice; Ger.der Neuling.Tense, of verbs, indicated byNow,Time Back, andFuture, that isTime Ahead.TentTent.LikeTeepee, but do not cross the fingers. Sometimes addWhite Man.Fr.la tente; Ger.das Zelt.Than.SeeAs.Thank youThank you, orGratitude. Raise the open right hand within a foot of the face, back down and to right; then carry it outward and downward toward person, bowing at same time (Pop). For this the Cheyennes use one hand as inGratitude, which see. SignGive,Good. (Blackfoot.)Fr.merci,je vous remercie,la gratitude; Ger.ich danke dir(orIhnen),die Dankbarkeit.That.Point with right G at the person or thing. CompareThis,There, andYonder.Fr.ce ... là; Ger.der,jener.ThatThatorWhich, relative pronoun (The one behind that). Left L hand pointing to right. Lay right forefinger on end of left, then turn it up and back to touch the thumb. (D)Fr.qui,que,lequel; Ger.welcher.That placeThat place.Hold out right G, back up, at arm’s length, face high, pointing forward; strike it down three or four times, chiefly by finger action. CompareThenandHere.Fr.là; Ger.da,dort.Theatre. SignHouse,Look,Big,Many. (Sheeaka.)Fr.le théâtre; Ger.das Theater.Their. SeePossession.ThenThen(That time). Swing right G, point first, forward and down in an 18-inch curve. CompareYonderandThat place.Fr.alors; Ger.damals.ThereThere.Simply point with middle finger, others closed, hand held breast high. CompareChallenge.ThickThick.Hold out flat left, back to left, place right underneath palm up; clasp left with it, rub right fingers and thumb tips back and forth on the middle of the left hand in long, slow rubs. CompareMeat,Thin,Oil, andBacon.Fr.épais; Ger.dick.Thief.Sign for the person and addSteal. (C)Fr.le voleur; Ger.der Dieb.ThinThin(Not thick). LikeThick, but rub lower edge and little finger of left with tips of right thumb and index finger united, others closed. Usually the little finger side is theEdge. CompareBacon, in which all of the fingers are used; also,Oil,Thick, andMeat.Fr.mince; Ger.dünn.ThinThinorPoor in flesh(Flesh clawed off). Bring both 5 hands, backs forward, in front of breast and touching it. Move each to its side, curving the fingers more.Fr.maigre; Ger.mager.ThingsThings.The 5 hands similarly pointing forward, backs up, waist high, one at each side of the body; swing once or twice in small circles nearly vertical, but a little forward in the upper part.Fr.les choses; Ger.die Dinge.ThinkThink(Drawn from the heart). Lay right G on the heart, back up, and swing it outward ten inches and a little up.Fr.penser; Ger.denken.Thinking.SeeConsider.Thirst,Dry, orDrouth. SignWantandDrink.Fr.la soif; Ger.der Durst.ThisThis.Hold flat left palm up near body and thrust right G down to it. ForTheserepeat it several times.Fr.ce ... ci; Ger.dieser.Thought.SeeIdea.Thousand.SignHundredand thenTen times. SeeNumbers.Fr.mille; Ger.tausend.ThreadThread.Rub thumb and index together, as though twisting a thread, and signSew. ComparePowder.Fr.le fil; Ger.der Faden.Threaten.Shake clenched fist toward the person.Fr.menacer; Ger.drohen.ThroughThrough.Push the right flat hand edgewise outward between the middle and third fingers of the left, which are held pointing upward. CompareBetween.Fr.par,au travers de; Ger.durch.Thunder.Clap the hands loudly in front of face and add a rapid zigzag with the right G finger forLightning.Fr.le tonnerre; Ger.der Donner,das Gewitter.ThyorThine. SignYou.Possess.Fr.ton; Ger.dein.TicketTicket. Hold out H left, back up; lay the right G across it at the middle knuckles; addWritingand indicateRailway,Theatre,Pawn, etc., as needed.Fr.le billet; Ger.das Billett.Till.SeeTo.TimeTime(Duration). Join the index finger and thumb of each hand at tips, other fingers closed; hold back of right hand to right, left to left, thumb tips touching; draw the hands apart, slowly and level. A little apart meansLittle time; a long way isLong time, etc. SignAfter, Little time, forBye and bye. So leaving the hands touching meansNow; andTime, Long, BehindmeansLong time ago. A much-used sign. SeeAgoandPast.Fr.le temps; Ger.die Zeit.Time afterwardTime afterward,After a little time,Bye and Bye. Hold out the left G level, pointing forward, breast high; lay the right G on the back of the left, draw it back toward the wrist an inch. ForTime ahead, signTimeandAhead, that is, hold up left G and swing right G parallel and far ahead in the same line. Or sometimes forTime aheadorFuturegive theTimesign first given, but draw the right forefinger and thumb in an up and over curve far ahead, instead of to the right.Fr.plus tard; Ger.später.TimeTime(Shadow around tree). Hold up left G, point right G at it and swing it around, finally touching it at top. (Sioux, Sheeaka.) This is used for exact point or date.Fr.l’époque; Ger.die Zeit,der Zeitpunkt.Hour.Indicate in the sky the position of the sun at that hour.Hour(i.e., sixty minutes). Hold up the left hand with back toward you, index and thumb joining in a complete vertical circle; with right G on this as a pointer, move an inch and addOne.Fr.l’heure; Ger.die Stunde.MinuteorMoment. Hold the flat left hand pointed forward, thumb up; lay the right G on it like a pointer and move it the least bit. (Sheeaka.) The Cheyennes signHourandSmall. In givingTimeit is safest to do it in railway style; that is, 45 minutes after 4 would be 4 hours and 45 minutes; not a quarter before 5.Fr.la minute; Ger.die Minute.Second.Make the signsMinuteandVery small. (Sheeaka.)Fr.la seconde; Ger.die Sekunde.DayDayorLight(The opening up, as contrasted withNight, the closing over). Hold out the level flat hands in the same horizontal plane, backs up, pointing to front, a few inches apart. Swing them upward apart to right and left, and then downward on a curve, turning the palms up; ending when the hands are about opposite shoulders and a little higher than at the start.For the days of the week, see underSun.Sometimes “one sun” is “one day.”ForTo-daythe sign forNowis first made.Fr.le jour; Ger.der Tag.Time of Day, as morning, forenoon, noon, afternoon, etc. Point to the sun’s position in the sky at the time. SeeMidnight.Fr.l’heure du jour; Ger.die Tageszeit.Week.SignSuns,Seven(Sheeaka) orOne Medicine Day. CompareSunday.Fr.la semaine; Ger.die Woche.Month.Crescent or Horns in the sky. See illustration in M.Fr.le mois; Ger.der Monat.Seasons.Spring, Short grass;Summer, High grass;Autumn, Falling leaf;Winter, ColdorSnow.Fr.les saisons; Ger.die Jahreszeiten.Year.SignOne Cold(Cheyenne). Or better perhaps, though not general, signSnow, then swing the right G in a circle to left, down and up on right, then again makeSnow, meaning from snow around to snow. (Sheeaka.) SignOne Snow(Blackfoot).Fr.l’an,l’année; Ger.das Jahr.TiredTiredorWeary. Hold out G hands, backs up, six inches apart, drop them and draw them to you a little. Sometimes used forQuit. SeeLazy. CompareAfraid.Fr.fatigué; Ger.müde.ToTo,Till, orUntil. Hold the left G a little forward, palm to you; swing the right G upward till the forefingers meet at tip. (Sheeaka; probably borrowed from the Deaf.) CompareMeet.Fr.jusqu’à; Ger.bis.Tobacco(Ground in the palm). Hold flat left hand, back down, in front of body; grind on it the heel of closed right in small circles.Fr.le tabac; Ger.der Tabak.To-day.SignDayandNow.Fr.aujourd’hui; Ger.heute.TogetherTogetherorGather(Gathered together). Press the palms of the flat hands together two or three times, swinging them apart and together once or twice, so the tips describe six-inch vertical circles going down on the outside and up on the inside of each. Note this also meansGather. See alsoWith,Meet, andHeap.TomahawkTomahawk.Hold the flat right hand in the hollow of the horizontal left arm (C). CompareBaby. Or signAxeandSmoke.Fr.le tomahawk,la hache de guerre des Indiens; Ger.die Streitaxt der Indianer.To-morrow.Sign forAnotherandSunrise. CompareYesterday.Fr.demain; Ger.morgen.Too,Too much. SignEnough, but raise both hands at arm’s length above the head. (Scott.) Sometimes useHeap. See alsoExcessive,Ahead, andOver.Fr.trop; Ger.zu viel.TooorAlso. SignEqual,With, orAnd.Fr.aussi; Ger.auch.Touch.SeeFeel.TownTown.SignHouse; then, keeping the flat hands at same angle, swing them wide apart, keeping left near body, right far away. AddWhite Manif needed.Fr.la ville; Ger.die Stadt.TrackorTrail; i.e., to follow byTrail. SignWalkand point to the ground with right G; move it forward in a sinuous course. Sometimes addLook.Fr.tracer; Ger.aufspüren.TradeTrade,Exchange,Swap,Bargain,Buy, orSell. Hold G hands pointing up, one at each shoulder; move them together in a down curve till wrists are crossed. SeeAvoid.Fr.trafiquer,troquer,faire le commerce; Ger.tauschen,handeln,Handel treiben.Trail(A road). SeeWay.Train.SeeRailroad.TrapTraporTo trap. Make a large level circle of forefingers and thumbs for the trap; then snap these up together, index alongside index, thumb alongside thumb to indicate the closing.Fr.le piège,prendre au piège; Ger.die Falle,mit der Falle fangen.TravelTravel.Hold out the 5 hands, palm to palm, but left a foot advanced and six inches higher, both of them vibrated up and down. This meansKeep on Going. SeeWork,Go, andWalk.Fr.voyager; Ger.reisen.Treaty.SignShake HandsandWrite; that is, write with right index on flat left palm.Fr.le traité; Ger.der Vertrag.TreeTree.Hold right forearm upright in front of shoulder, fingers straight, spread upward. For plural use both hands. ForForest, hold left outside and touching right; draw right near body and push left far away. SeeForest.Fr.l’arbre; Ger.der Baum.TribeorTroop. SeeBunch.TriumphTriumph.Wave one hand in circle above the head as swinging a flag. At a distance, wave a hat, coat, or blanket.Fr.le triomphe; Ger.der Triumph.TrooporTribe. SeeBunch.Trot.Indicate the kind of animal, then with S hands, backs up, indicate movement of feet as in trotting. (C)Fr.le trot,trotter; Ger.der Trott,traben.TroubleorPerplexity. SeeConsider,Doubt,Sorry, andSorrow.Fr.le trouble,la perplexité; Ger.die Sorge,die Bestürzung.TrueTrue,Truth,Certain,Sure,Straight(One straight trail). The G forefinger pointing straight forward under the chin, then moved forward with an upward curve. CompareHonest.Fr.vrai,la vérité; Ger.wahr,die Wahrheit.TryorAttempt. SignWorkandBegin.Fr.essayer; Ger.versuchen.Turkey. SignBird; then indicateBeardwith compressed right hand under the chin, pointed down and shaken. (C)Turkey. SignBird; then hold right G at forehead, back up, curved, pointed down, and drop it past the nose down below chin.Fr.le dindon; Ger.der Truthahn,der Puter.Turkish Bath.SeeSweat Lodge.Turn him downTurn him downorThumbs down. This dates from the Roman arena. Right arm at full length, fingers closed, thumb extended and pointing downward; meaning “Kill him” or “it.” SeeKnife.Turn into.SeeGrow.Turn loose.SeeFreeandPardon.TurtleTurtleorTortoise. Hold right hand low, back up, flat, but fingers bent back on palm; push it forward, giving it by wrist action a serpentine course. SeeFog.Fr.la tortue; Ger.die Schildkröte.Twice.SeeOnce.Twinkle.SignStarandTalk.Fr.étinceler; Ger.funkeln.TwinsTwins.Lay V fingers, palm in, on abdomen and addBorn.Fr.les jumeaux; Ger.die Zwillinge.Typewrite.SignWrite; then with both hands strike here and there at keys.Fr.écrire à la machine,dactylographier; Ger.mit der Schreibmaschine schreiben.
Table(Flat top, square shape). Swing flat hands, palms down, as inBroadturn sharply and draw both toward you; with a V hand on each side, strike down for legs, then signOnandEat. A description, not an established sign.
Fr.la table; Ger.der Tisch.
Tail
Tail.Right G hand, back up, at left side, pointing back and down.
Fr.la queue; Ger.der Schwanz.
Take
TakeorBring(From some one else). Reach out the G hand, hook the index and draw it toward you, in and upward, as though pulling a string up and back. CompareSteal.
Fr.prendre(de quelqu’un); Ger.nehmen(von Jemandem).
Take(From oneself). The same, but point index toward body, hook it and draw away.
Fr.prendre(de soi-même); Ger.nehmen(von sich selber).
Take from.SeeSubtract.
Talk
TalkorSay(A little talk). Hold right hand under mouth, index and thumb tips together, pointing forward, and move slightly forward, snapping the index from behind the thumb two or three times. CompareCalled,Telltale,Speech,Bark.
Fr.parler; Ger.sprechen.
Talk, to me
Talk, to me.Make the same gesture as above, but point and draw the hand toward the cheek.
Tall
TallorHigh. Move the flat right straight up to arm’s length, back out.
Fr.grand,haut; Ger.hoch,grosz.
Tangle
TangleorTangled. Revolve the 5 hands, in and out, one about the other. ComparePlay.
Fr.embrouiller; Ger.verwirren.
Taste
Taste.Join the first finger and thumb, rest their points on the lower lip and work the lips. CompareSalt,Sugar,Sour, andBitter.
Fr.goûter; Ger.schmecken.
Taste bad(To taste and throw away). SignTasteandBad. (Seger.)
Fr.avoir un goût mauvais; Ger.schlecht schmecken.
Tattler.SeeTelltale.
Tattoo
Tattoo.Tap the place with all five finger tips in a point.
Fr.tatouer; Ger.tätowieren.
Tea
Tea(Stirring it). Trace the rim of the left O hand with the thumb and finger tip of the right O hand, other fingers extended. (Sheeaka.) CompareStir. Or signLeaf,Drink.
Fr.le thé; Ger.der Tee.
Teacher.SignWritingandChief. See alsoGuide.
Fr.le professeur; Ger.der Lehrer.
Team.SignHorse,Two; with L hand indicateHalterand addCoatforHarness.
Fr.l’attelage; Ger.das Gespann.
Teepee
TeepeeorLodge. Cross the tips of the G fingers held high. InTentthey are not crossed.
Fr.la loge (la hutte) des Indiens; Ger.die Indianerhütte.
Telegraph.On forefinger of left G hand, palm up, tap with crooked forefinger of right hand, as thoughtelegraphing; then shoot it along left forefinger and on in line. (Crow sign, La Forge.)
Telegraph
Telegraph.SignWire, then tap on it two or three times with right G and addTalk, shooting it far ahead.
Fr.le télégraphe; Ger.der Telegraph.
Telephone.SignWire; raise O hand to the ear like the receiver, then addTalk.
Fr.le téléphone; Ger.der Fernsprecher.
Tell about.SeeExplainandSpeech.
Tell me.SeeTalkandSpeech.
Tell-tale
Tell-tale,Tattling, orTattle(Magpie or Chatterer). Make a bill with forefinger and thumb; hold it at the mouth, pointing forward; open and shut it, but do not advance it. Note, it does not get anywhere;Talkdoes.
Fr.le rapporteur; Ger.der Ausplauderer.
Tenderfoot.Make signs forScoutandLittle. (Scott.)
Fr.le novice; Ger.der Neuling.
Tense, of verbs, indicated byNow,Time Back, andFuture, that isTime Ahead.
Tent
Tent.LikeTeepee, but do not cross the fingers. Sometimes addWhite Man.
Fr.la tente; Ger.das Zelt.
Than.SeeAs.
Thank you
Thank you, orGratitude. Raise the open right hand within a foot of the face, back down and to right; then carry it outward and downward toward person, bowing at same time (Pop). For this the Cheyennes use one hand as inGratitude, which see. SignGive,Good. (Blackfoot.)
Fr.merci,je vous remercie,la gratitude; Ger.ich danke dir(orIhnen),die Dankbarkeit.
That.Point with right G at the person or thing. CompareThis,There, andYonder.
Fr.ce ... là; Ger.der,jener.
That
ThatorWhich, relative pronoun (The one behind that). Left L hand pointing to right. Lay right forefinger on end of left, then turn it up and back to touch the thumb. (D)
Fr.qui,que,lequel; Ger.welcher.
That place
That place.Hold out right G, back up, at arm’s length, face high, pointing forward; strike it down three or four times, chiefly by finger action. CompareThenandHere.
Fr.là; Ger.da,dort.
Theatre. SignHouse,Look,Big,Many. (Sheeaka.)
Fr.le théâtre; Ger.das Theater.
Their. SeePossession.
Then
Then(That time). Swing right G, point first, forward and down in an 18-inch curve. CompareYonderandThat place.
Fr.alors; Ger.damals.
There
There.Simply point with middle finger, others closed, hand held breast high. CompareChallenge.
Thick
Thick.Hold out flat left, back to left, place right underneath palm up; clasp left with it, rub right fingers and thumb tips back and forth on the middle of the left hand in long, slow rubs. CompareMeat,Thin,Oil, andBacon.
Fr.épais; Ger.dick.
Thief.Sign for the person and addSteal. (C)
Fr.le voleur; Ger.der Dieb.
Thin
Thin(Not thick). LikeThick, but rub lower edge and little finger of left with tips of right thumb and index finger united, others closed. Usually the little finger side is theEdge. CompareBacon, in which all of the fingers are used; also,Oil,Thick, andMeat.
Fr.mince; Ger.dünn.
Thin
ThinorPoor in flesh(Flesh clawed off). Bring both 5 hands, backs forward, in front of breast and touching it. Move each to its side, curving the fingers more.
Fr.maigre; Ger.mager.
Things
Things.The 5 hands similarly pointing forward, backs up, waist high, one at each side of the body; swing once or twice in small circles nearly vertical, but a little forward in the upper part.
Fr.les choses; Ger.die Dinge.
Think
Think(Drawn from the heart). Lay right G on the heart, back up, and swing it outward ten inches and a little up.
Fr.penser; Ger.denken.
Thinking.SeeConsider.
Thirst,Dry, orDrouth. SignWantandDrink.
Fr.la soif; Ger.der Durst.
This
This.Hold flat left palm up near body and thrust right G down to it. ForTheserepeat it several times.
Fr.ce ... ci; Ger.dieser.
Thought.SeeIdea.
Thousand.SignHundredand thenTen times. SeeNumbers.
Fr.mille; Ger.tausend.
Thread
Thread.Rub thumb and index together, as though twisting a thread, and signSew. ComparePowder.
Fr.le fil; Ger.der Faden.
Threaten.Shake clenched fist toward the person.
Fr.menacer; Ger.drohen.
Through
Through.Push the right flat hand edgewise outward between the middle and third fingers of the left, which are held pointing upward. CompareBetween.
Fr.par,au travers de; Ger.durch.
Thunder.Clap the hands loudly in front of face and add a rapid zigzag with the right G finger forLightning.
Fr.le tonnerre; Ger.der Donner,das Gewitter.
ThyorThine. SignYou.Possess.
Fr.ton; Ger.dein.
Ticket
Ticket. Hold out H left, back up; lay the right G across it at the middle knuckles; addWritingand indicateRailway,Theatre,Pawn, etc., as needed.
Fr.le billet; Ger.das Billett.
Till.SeeTo.
Time
Time(Duration). Join the index finger and thumb of each hand at tips, other fingers closed; hold back of right hand to right, left to left, thumb tips touching; draw the hands apart, slowly and level. A little apart meansLittle time; a long way isLong time, etc. SignAfter, Little time, forBye and bye. So leaving the hands touching meansNow; andTime, Long, BehindmeansLong time ago. A much-used sign. SeeAgoandPast.
Fr.le temps; Ger.die Zeit.
Time afterward
Time afterward,After a little time,Bye and Bye. Hold out the left G level, pointing forward, breast high; lay the right G on the back of the left, draw it back toward the wrist an inch. ForTime ahead, signTimeandAhead, that is, hold up left G and swing right G parallel and far ahead in the same line. Or sometimes forTime aheadorFuturegive theTimesign first given, but draw the right forefinger and thumb in an up and over curve far ahead, instead of to the right.
Fr.plus tard; Ger.später.
Time
Time(Shadow around tree). Hold up left G, point right G at it and swing it around, finally touching it at top. (Sioux, Sheeaka.) This is used for exact point or date.
Fr.l’époque; Ger.die Zeit,der Zeitpunkt.
Hour.Indicate in the sky the position of the sun at that hour.Hour(i.e., sixty minutes). Hold up the left hand with back toward you, index and thumb joining in a complete vertical circle; with right G on this as a pointer, move an inch and addOne.Fr.l’heure; Ger.die Stunde.MinuteorMoment. Hold the flat left hand pointed forward, thumb up; lay the right G on it like a pointer and move it the least bit. (Sheeaka.) The Cheyennes signHourandSmall. In givingTimeit is safest to do it in railway style; that is, 45 minutes after 4 would be 4 hours and 45 minutes; not a quarter before 5.Fr.la minute; Ger.die Minute.Second.Make the signsMinuteandVery small. (Sheeaka.)Fr.la seconde; Ger.die Sekunde.DayDayorLight(The opening up, as contrasted withNight, the closing over). Hold out the level flat hands in the same horizontal plane, backs up, pointing to front, a few inches apart. Swing them upward apart to right and left, and then downward on a curve, turning the palms up; ending when the hands are about opposite shoulders and a little higher than at the start.For the days of the week, see underSun.Sometimes “one sun” is “one day.”ForTo-daythe sign forNowis first made.Fr.le jour; Ger.der Tag.
Hour.Indicate in the sky the position of the sun at that hour.
Hour(i.e., sixty minutes). Hold up the left hand with back toward you, index and thumb joining in a complete vertical circle; with right G on this as a pointer, move an inch and addOne.
Fr.l’heure; Ger.die Stunde.
MinuteorMoment. Hold the flat left hand pointed forward, thumb up; lay the right G on it like a pointer and move it the least bit. (Sheeaka.) The Cheyennes signHourandSmall. In givingTimeit is safest to do it in railway style; that is, 45 minutes after 4 would be 4 hours and 45 minutes; not a quarter before 5.
Fr.la minute; Ger.die Minute.
Second.Make the signsMinuteandVery small. (Sheeaka.)
Fr.la seconde; Ger.die Sekunde.
Day
DayorLight(The opening up, as contrasted withNight, the closing over). Hold out the level flat hands in the same horizontal plane, backs up, pointing to front, a few inches apart. Swing them upward apart to right and left, and then downward on a curve, turning the palms up; ending when the hands are about opposite shoulders and a little higher than at the start.
For the days of the week, see underSun.
Sometimes “one sun” is “one day.”
ForTo-daythe sign forNowis first made.
Fr.le jour; Ger.der Tag.
Time of Day, as morning, forenoon, noon, afternoon, etc. Point to the sun’s position in the sky at the time. SeeMidnight.
Fr.l’heure du jour; Ger.die Tageszeit.
Week.SignSuns,Seven(Sheeaka) orOne Medicine Day. CompareSunday.Fr.la semaine; Ger.die Woche.Month.Crescent or Horns in the sky. See illustration in M.Fr.le mois; Ger.der Monat.Seasons.Spring, Short grass;Summer, High grass;Autumn, Falling leaf;Winter, ColdorSnow.Fr.les saisons; Ger.die Jahreszeiten.Year.SignOne Cold(Cheyenne). Or better perhaps, though not general, signSnow, then swing the right G in a circle to left, down and up on right, then again makeSnow, meaning from snow around to snow. (Sheeaka.) SignOne Snow(Blackfoot).Fr.l’an,l’année; Ger.das Jahr.
Week.SignSuns,Seven(Sheeaka) orOne Medicine Day. CompareSunday.
Fr.la semaine; Ger.die Woche.
Month.Crescent or Horns in the sky. See illustration in M.
Fr.le mois; Ger.der Monat.
Seasons.Spring, Short grass;Summer, High grass;Autumn, Falling leaf;Winter, ColdorSnow.
Fr.les saisons; Ger.die Jahreszeiten.
Year.SignOne Cold(Cheyenne). Or better perhaps, though not general, signSnow, then swing the right G in a circle to left, down and up on right, then again makeSnow, meaning from snow around to snow. (Sheeaka.) SignOne Snow(Blackfoot).
Fr.l’an,l’année; Ger.das Jahr.
Tired
TiredorWeary. Hold out G hands, backs up, six inches apart, drop them and draw them to you a little. Sometimes used forQuit. SeeLazy. CompareAfraid.
Fr.fatigué; Ger.müde.
To
To,Till, orUntil. Hold the left G a little forward, palm to you; swing the right G upward till the forefingers meet at tip. (Sheeaka; probably borrowed from the Deaf.) CompareMeet.
Fr.jusqu’à; Ger.bis.
Tobacco(Ground in the palm). Hold flat left hand, back down, in front of body; grind on it the heel of closed right in small circles.
Fr.le tabac; Ger.der Tabak.
To-day.SignDayandNow.
Fr.aujourd’hui; Ger.heute.
Together
TogetherorGather(Gathered together). Press the palms of the flat hands together two or three times, swinging them apart and together once or twice, so the tips describe six-inch vertical circles going down on the outside and up on the inside of each. Note this also meansGather. See alsoWith,Meet, andHeap.
Tomahawk
Tomahawk.Hold the flat right hand in the hollow of the horizontal left arm (C). CompareBaby. Or signAxeandSmoke.
Fr.le tomahawk,la hache de guerre des Indiens; Ger.die Streitaxt der Indianer.
To-morrow.Sign forAnotherandSunrise. CompareYesterday.
Fr.demain; Ger.morgen.
Too,Too much. SignEnough, but raise both hands at arm’s length above the head. (Scott.) Sometimes useHeap. See alsoExcessive,Ahead, andOver.
Fr.trop; Ger.zu viel.
TooorAlso. SignEqual,With, orAnd.
Fr.aussi; Ger.auch.
Touch.SeeFeel.
Town
Town.SignHouse; then, keeping the flat hands at same angle, swing them wide apart, keeping left near body, right far away. AddWhite Manif needed.
Fr.la ville; Ger.die Stadt.
TrackorTrail; i.e., to follow byTrail. SignWalkand point to the ground with right G; move it forward in a sinuous course. Sometimes addLook.
Fr.tracer; Ger.aufspüren.
Trade
Trade,Exchange,Swap,Bargain,Buy, orSell. Hold G hands pointing up, one at each shoulder; move them together in a down curve till wrists are crossed. SeeAvoid.
Fr.trafiquer,troquer,faire le commerce; Ger.tauschen,handeln,Handel treiben.
Trail(A road). SeeWay.
Train.SeeRailroad.
Trap
TraporTo trap. Make a large level circle of forefingers and thumbs for the trap; then snap these up together, index alongside index, thumb alongside thumb to indicate the closing.
Fr.le piège,prendre au piège; Ger.die Falle,mit der Falle fangen.
Travel
Travel.Hold out the 5 hands, palm to palm, but left a foot advanced and six inches higher, both of them vibrated up and down. This meansKeep on Going. SeeWork,Go, andWalk.
Fr.voyager; Ger.reisen.
Treaty.SignShake HandsandWrite; that is, write with right index on flat left palm.
Fr.le traité; Ger.der Vertrag.
Tree
Tree.Hold right forearm upright in front of shoulder, fingers straight, spread upward. For plural use both hands. ForForest, hold left outside and touching right; draw right near body and push left far away. SeeForest.
Fr.l’arbre; Ger.der Baum.
TribeorTroop. SeeBunch.
Triumph
Triumph.Wave one hand in circle above the head as swinging a flag. At a distance, wave a hat, coat, or blanket.
Fr.le triomphe; Ger.der Triumph.
TrooporTribe. SeeBunch.
Trot.Indicate the kind of animal, then with S hands, backs up, indicate movement of feet as in trotting. (C)
Fr.le trot,trotter; Ger.der Trott,traben.
TroubleorPerplexity. SeeConsider,Doubt,Sorry, andSorrow.
Fr.le trouble,la perplexité; Ger.die Sorge,die Bestürzung.
True
True,Truth,Certain,Sure,Straight(One straight trail). The G forefinger pointing straight forward under the chin, then moved forward with an upward curve. CompareHonest.
Fr.vrai,la vérité; Ger.wahr,die Wahrheit.
TryorAttempt. SignWorkandBegin.
Fr.essayer; Ger.versuchen.
Turkey. SignBird; then indicateBeardwith compressed right hand under the chin, pointed down and shaken. (C)
Turkey. SignBird; then hold right G at forehead, back up, curved, pointed down, and drop it past the nose down below chin.
Fr.le dindon; Ger.der Truthahn,der Puter.
Turkish Bath.SeeSweat Lodge.
Turn him down
Turn him downorThumbs down. This dates from the Roman arena. Right arm at full length, fingers closed, thumb extended and pointing downward; meaning “Kill him” or “it.” SeeKnife.
Turn into.SeeGrow.
Turn loose.SeeFreeandPardon.
Turtle
TurtleorTortoise. Hold right hand low, back up, flat, but fingers bent back on palm; push it forward, giving it by wrist action a serpentine course. SeeFog.
Fr.la tortue; Ger.die Schildkröte.
Twice.SeeOnce.
Twinkle.SignStarandTalk.
Fr.étinceler; Ger.funkeln.
Twins
Twins.Lay V fingers, palm in, on abdomen and addBorn.
Fr.les jumeaux; Ger.die Zwillinge.
Typewrite.SignWrite; then with both hands strike here and there at keys.
Fr.écrire à la machine,dactylographier; Ger.mit der Schreibmaschine schreiben.