The Sign Language/Chapter 4
PERSONAL, RELATIVE AND INDEFINITE PRONOUNS
I.—Place "I" hand, thumb against breast and little finger pointing up.
You, Thou.—Point forefinger at person addressed.
You (plural).—Point forefinger and draw around in semi-circle from right to left or vice versa.
Me.—Point the forefinger at centre of one's own breast. (Touch self with forefinger.)
We, Us.—Point forefinger at self, then point out, bring round in circle as in "You," and back to self. II, 16.
My and Mine.—Press open hand, palm against breast to indicate possession.
Your and Yours.—Push open palm toward the person or persons addressed. This sign is also used to denote possession, the hand being pushed toward the possessor.
He.—Make forehead sign for "male;" then extend "G" hand toward an imaginary person.
She.—Sign for "female" and extend hand as in "he."
They.—Make sign for "male" and female;" then, as before, in "he" and "she." Or,
(2) Sometimes the sign is made by indicating "male" and "female," then making, sign for "both."
It.—The "I" hand is moved toward an imaginary object with a twisting motion of the wrist.
His, Her, Hers, Theirs.—Make sign for pronoun and then add possessive sign, i. e., push open palm toward imaginary person.
Self (emphatic).—The position and movement of the hand is similar to that in "him," "her," etc., but is made in an emphatic way or with great force.
Self (reflexive).—The "A" hand is held with points of the fingers against the speaker.
Myself.—With the hand in position of making "A" strike the thumb against center of breast and repeat several times.
Himself, Herself, Themselves, etc—Make sign for pronoun and then add sign for self.
Who.—Purse the lips as in pronouncing "who," then pointing the forefinger at the mouth, a few inches away, move the end of the finger around in a circle. As interrogative, express inquiry on face or make "?" in air with forefinger. II, 18.
That (as a relative), Which.—Place left hand in position of making "L" in front of you, pointing toward the right; place end of right forefinger on end of left, and then turn it up and back to touch the thumb, thus indicating the fact that it refers to an antecedent. II, 19.
That (demonstrative pronoun).—Make "Y" with the right hand, and holding left hand out, palm up, throw the "Y" upon it; the sign may be without throwing "Y" upon the left hand but holding the "Y" of either hand out a little way, give a slight jerking or throwing motion to the hand at the wrist, toward imaginary object, moving the arm the least bit. II, 20.
Note: This is a very useful sign and is used to designate the identical person or thing spoken of, previously referred to; and it may be interpreted to mean "just so," "that's it," "the same," and takes the place of an habitual expression used as an interposition by one listening, to encourage the speaker, or denote interest in what is being said.
Whom.—Same as "who" but is sometimes expressed by "who" followed by the sign for the demonstrative "that," or the sign for "him," omitting the male sign.
Whose.—Sign for "who" followed by possessive sign.
What.—Hold left hand in front of you, with palm toward you, fingers pointing to right and held apart; place the end of the right forefinger on that of left forefinger, and then draw it down across the other fingers. Or,
(2) Hold right forefinger poised at a slight angle, then shake it from side to side as in shaking a rattle.
Note: The first sign is preferable; when used as an interrogative, express inquiry on the face or make a question mark in the air.
Whatever, Whoever, etc.—Make sign for desired pronoun, then add sign for "any."
Any.—Place "A" hand over toward left side and draw it quickly over to the right side, the while giving it an ague-like shaking motion. II, 21.
Anything.—Usually made the same as "any." Or,
(2) Make sign for "any" and add "thing."
Thing.—Hold open hand in front of you as if holding something between thumb and fingers; hand pointed toward the left; drop the hand slightly, repeating the motion as the hand is drawn back toward the right side.
Any one.—Same as for "any," then add sign for "male" or "female." II, 17. Or,
(2) Hold forefinger pointing up, back of hand down, fingers and thumb closed over palm, move hand from side to side.
Some.—Draw the right open hand toward you across the end of the left open hand, hold palm up, describing a curved mark on the palm with the little finger edge.
Some one.—Same as for "any one."
Something.—Sign for "some" and "thing."
Every.—Place left "A" hand in front of you, the end of the thumb pointing out; with right "A" hand and a striking motion bring backs of the fingers of right hand down or against the back of the thumb of the left; repeat this motion with thumbs pointing first at one and then another imaginary person in a short semi-circle. (Some might add sign for "all.") II, 23.
Each.—Same as "every" but add "1."
Both.—With the left hand, grasp the right "V" hand at the back of the fingers and draw the "V" down and out, as you close the left hand upon them.
Such.—Make sign for "same" (with forefinger of each hand extended straight out, bring them together in front of you, parallel); then sign for "that" as demonstrative pronoun.
Either.—Close left hand, except thumb and forefinger which are extended and pointed upward, or inclined slightly toward self; touch first the thumb and then the forefinger with the forefinger of the right hand; bring both "A" hands away opposite each other, lowering and raising them alternately like a see-saw, to indicate "one or the other." II, 24.
Neither.—Same as for "either," but prefix or follow with sign for "not," i. e., passing open right palm across open left hand, both turned downward, or raise "A" hand to chin and throw downward.
None.—Make sign for "any one" then "nothing" (lift "O" to mouth without touching, then quickly throw it off; in the meantime open the hand and throw out the fingers).
This.—Simply point to an imaginary object near you. For "These" point to several imaginary objects.
That.—Point to a distant imaginary object, and for "Those" point to several. (See "That," demonstrative, above.)
Other.—Position of hand as in "A," thumb well up; with a motion including the whole forearm, describe a semicircle in the air with the end of the thumb. For the plural, repeat two or three times, or add sign for "many." II, 25.
Another.—Made in the same way, but "1" is sometimes added.
Few, Several.—Extend, or straighten the fingers of the right "A" hand one at a time, beginning with the forefinger.
Many—Double the fists in front of you, backs down; throw the fingers out and apart quickly. Repeat this motion two or three times.
More.—Hold the left hand with thumb and fingers gathered together at a point and the ends pointing upward; from the side lift the right hand, thumb and fingers gathered as in the left, and place it upon the left hand so that the ends of the fingers meet, those of one hand pointing up and those of the other down. II, 26. Or,
(2) Hold out open left hand, palm toward right; against, the palm throw the right "&" hand two or three times. Or,
(3) Make the sign for "many" and raise the right "A" hand higher than the left.
Most.—Make the sign for "many" or "more;" then the indication of the superlative with right "A" raised high above. II, 27.
All.—Bring the hands out easily, and after touching them at the forefingers, bring them around in a circle as if to include the whole. Commonly the left hand is at rest, held at a slight angle, and the right hand alone describes the circle coming to rest in the palm of the left hand. II, 28.
Divers, Various, to indicate Different Objects.—Place the ends of the forefingers, one above the other, nails up, and held at an angle of 45 degrees, and rest of the fingers and thumbs closed; bring the forefingers apart, giving them a shaking motion up and down.
One Another.—Hold the left "A" hand, thumb pointing up, and the right "A" hand, thumb pointing down; rotate the thumbs around each other. II, 30.
Plate II.
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