American Indian Sign Language

Good Morning!

The above picture was taken at a recent signing as I was touring for my newest book, SENECA SURRENDER. It was taken at the Borders in National City, CA. Oh, and before I go any further, I'll be giving away two different books to a couple of lucky bloggers. (By the way this is applicable to the US and Canada only -- all 50 states.) The reason is because I have only hard copies of my books (no e-books) and the postage is sometimes quite high. Oh, and void where prohibited.

So that said, I thought I'd talk a little about American Indian Sign Language. As you might or might not know, I write Historical Indian Romance and so I've often used many of the different "signs" in many of my books. I think I have all total about 5 different Sign Language books. In the 18th and 19th centuries the different Indian tribes in North America spoke different languages. But one thing they all knew was sign language, so that no matter what language you spoke, you could always talk to someone of another tribe.

Elaborate conversations would often be held -- and after a while, a sort of short cut would take place. This sign language is mostly lost by us today -- but it's still alive in my historical novels. As a matter of fact, in my very first book (pubbed in 1994), LAKOTA SURRENDER, the heroine is asked to act as an interpreter to a very handsome, young Lakota Indian.

Expressions mattered. A frown, a smile. Indeed, if a white man came on the prairie and didn't know this universal sign language or couldn't communicate in any way, he was considered to be rather stupid, or at the very least, rude, for not taking the time and effort to learn how to communicate.

It's generally accepted that the Plains Indians cultivated the sign language to a large degree and that they kept it alive all through the years, but even at the beginning of the European's contact with the American Indian, Colorado talks about their sign language. In the words of this explorer:

"That they were very intelligent is evident from the fact that although they conversed by means of signs, they made themselves understood so well that there was no need of an interpreter...They are kind people and not cruel, they are faithful, they are able to make themselves very well understood by means of signs."

Many of the Plains tribes believed that the language originated with the Kiowa tribe, who learned it in Mexico. But one thing is generally agreed, and that is that the Kiowa were most proficient in using the language. Here's another quote I found interesting:

"The language of signs is so perfectly understood in the Western country, and the Indians themselves are such admirable sign talkers, that after a little use, no difficulty whatever exists in carrying on a conversation by such a channel, and there are few mountain men who are at a loss in thoroughly understanding and making themselves intelligible by signs alone, although they neither speak or understand a wore of the Indian tongue." Ruxton, NY 1848. Adventures in Mexico and the Rocky Mountains.

Okay, so that's probably enough background. Let's learn some talk:

"Me." Point to yourself with your thumb.

"You." Point to whomever you are speaking to or about

"Yes." Start with a closed fist in right hand, index finer extended. At the same time you drop your hand, close your index finger with your thumb.

"No." Start with right hand held against chest, fingers pointing left. As you swing your hand around in a half circle, turn your hand so that the palm is facing up.

"Love." Man crosses his hands over his chest -- woman touches her heart.

You ready? Let's say, "I love you." in sign language....

Did you do it?

Okay, here's another:

"Question." Hold your right hand up about shoulder level, palm facing out. Rotate the hand slowly a few times -- this means a question is coming.

"Possession." -- Meant to show who owns what or to say something like my...whatever. Place your clenched hand close to the neck/shoulder. Bring fist down and forward with thumb pointing forward.

"Mother" With your hand cupped, bring it over to the left shoulder/chest area and tap your chest two or three times.

So let's make some more talk.

Let's say "Where is my mother?" Make a sign for question. Then the sign for mother, then the sign for possession. Did you do it?

There are many different books on sign language if you are interested. I should also say that if you watch -- or can get your hands on any of the old silent movies -- or some of the very early talkies -- they had true American Indians playing those roles -- and you'll see them talking sign language. Something to really see.

Now, just so you know, I have two books on the bookshelf for sale right now. One is SENECA SURRENDER (April 2010 release) and the other is BLACK EAGLE (May 2009 release). So come on in and talk to me. I'll be checking in with the blog all day long to catch your posts. And don't forget to pick up your copy of one of my books today.