The Sign Language/Chapter 19

by J. Schuyler Long

COUNTING

1 to 10.—Begin by holding up the forefinger for 1; then two fingers for 2; for 3 bring up the thumb with the two fingers; for 4 draw back the thumb against the palm and hold up the four fingers, and for 5 the fingers and thumb. For 6, while the other fingers are extended, draw down the end of the little finger against the end of the thumb; for 7 draw down the third finger same, and for 8 and 9 the middle and forefinger respectively. Note that only one finger touches the thumb at a time, all the remaining fingers being extended. For 10, hold up the thumb of the "A" hand and shake it from side to side with a twisting motion from the wrist but not moving the arm, or, extending the thumb of the "A" hand toward the left, give it a twisting jerk toward the left (not moving the arm) until it points upward. XXIII, 413 to 421.

11 to 20.—Make 10 as described in last line and then add all the other digits up to 9. In common practice this is shortened and instead of making the full sign for 10 the forefinger is extended from under the thumb of "A" hand as if forcibly released for 11, and the same with the two fingers for 12; for 13 the two fingers and thumb are thrown out straight with the two fingers for 12; for 14 the fingers are thrown out and the thumb drawn quickly against the palm; for 5 the whole hand is thrown open; and for 16, 17, 18, and 19 the hand is closed as in "A" and the fingers are thrown out into the positions for the figures, the hand at first always being in position of "A." For 20 the position of the right hand is as in "G," except that the thumb and forefinger have been drawn farther apart and the palm is down; move the hand to the right with a slight jerk and close the ends of the thumb and forefinger. In common practice the thumb and forefinger in position as above are simply snapped together. XXIII, 422, 423.

21 to 30.—In the twenties, begin the motion with the "L" hand, palm outward; throw the hand toward the right with a jerk and then add the numbers 1 to 9. The jerk is not essential but is advisable as it adds distinctness to the figures. This is especially true of figures above 50. For 30 make 3; then jerk hand to right and make cipher with the ends of the thumb and fingers brought to a point. XXIII, 424.

31 to 40.—Make 3; jerk hand to the right and add the figures as above. For 40 make 4; then jerk to right and make cipher for "0."

41 to 50.—Make 4; then jerk hand to right and add figures as above. For 50 make 5 and then "0," the jerk always being part of the movement.

In 60, 70, 80, and 90 the figures 6, 7, 8, and 9 are first made and then simply jerked to the right, the cipher already being made by the end of the finger against the thumb. Some again draw the ends of the fingers together, but the above method is preferable as being the more correct.

In adding the figures to 6, 7, 8, and 9, the jerk should not be omitted, for unless it is done great confusion is experienced, the difference between 69 and 96, between 85 and 58, etc., not being clear.

For 100 make 1 and then "C;" for 200 and so on make the figures and add "C." Above these add the figures as made before. XXIII, 425.

For 1,000, 2,000, etc., make the prime figure, then strike the palm of the open left hand with the end of the right "M" or simply with the bent right hand. Above these add the figures as made before. XXIII, 426.

For 1,000,000, 2,000,000, etc., make the prime figure, then strike the left palm as in thousand but twice instead of only once. Billion is expressed by striking the palm three times; trillion, four times.

For the fractions, make the numerator, then, lowering the hand quickly, make the denominator. To add distinctness it may be advisable to draw the fractional line in the air with the finger.

For the ordinals make the usual figure sign, then give the hand a twisting jerk from the wrist, not moving the hand or arm from its position.

Arithmetic.—Hold the "V" hands pointing upward, the palms toward self; throw the right hand toward the left and the left toward the right so they meet and cross, the back of the right "V" passing against the palm of the left "V." Repeat the motion several times. This sign may also be used to mean to figure or calculate anything or estimate.

Multiply.—Made the same as for "arithmetic," but the motion made but once instead of being repeated several times. XXII, 402.

Add.—Hold the left "&" hand pointing up and rather low; upon its end place the end of the right "&" hand pointing down; move both hands upward, lifting the right hand and striking it against the left several times as they rise. XXII, 403.

Subtract.—Holding the open left hand with palm toward self, strike the ends of the fingers of the right bent hand against its palm and drop the right hand down away from the left, as if taking something away from it. XXII, 404.

Divide.—(Long division). With the forefingers of the "G" hands trace in the air the two right angles placed at either side of the dividend. XXII, 405.

For short division, beginning with the end of the thumb of the left "L" hand trace the length of the thumb and forefinger with the end of the forefinger of the right "G" hand, thus indicating the right angle placed under the dividend.

Plate XXIII.