The Sign Language/Chapter 9

by J. Schuyler Long

OCCUPATIONS OF MANKIND

In indicating the individual following any occupation, make the sign for that occupation and add the sign for "-er," as follows: Bring the open hands, palms near the body and fingers pointing forward but inclined toward each other at an angle of 45 degrees, up to the breast; with the palms against the body, press them downward, indicating thus the individual. XI, 218.

Law.—Hold up open left hand, fingers up, pointing the thumb toward you; lift up the forefinger of right "G" hand and throw it against the palm of the left near the end of the fingers; strike the palm this way several times but each time striking it lower down. For "lawyer" add sign above described for "-er." XI, 219.

Preach.—Hold up the right "F" hand above the shoulder slightly forward and out; in this position throw the hand out and down, toward an imaginary audience. For "preacher" add "-er." XI, 220.

Teach.—Hold up "&" hands, one on either side of the head opposite the temples; push them outward, opening them; repeat the action several times. "Teacher," add "-er."

Lecture, Orator.—Hold up the open hand to the side and front, as a speaker does in making a gesture; bring it down diagonally a little toward the other side and repeat motion several times. "Lecturer," add "-er."

Cook.—Place right hand on palm of left and turn it as if it were a pancake. "Cook" (one who cooks), add "-er."

Baker.—Would be literally "bread maker;" make sign for bread by holding bent left hand in front; with the right "B" hand used as knife, make act of cutting across backs of fingers; then imitate action of kneading, and add "-er."

Carpenter, Cabinet-Maker.—Make motion of planing a board; add "-er."

Printer.—Make motion of printer in putting type into a stick; add "-er." XI, 221.

Shoemaker.—Push the ends of the forefingers of "G" hands toward each other as if they were awls forced through a piece of leather; bend the ends of the fingers and draw them away from each other as if they were drawing back the thread. XI, 222. Or,

(2) Make sign for "shoe," thus: Push right "&" hand into the partly closed left hand, and sign for "maker."

Tailor.—Make motion of sewing and add "-er."

Dressmaker.—Sign first for "female;" then rub the hands lightly downward against the body several times, indicating its covering, for "dress;" then add sign for "maker."

Merchant.—"Seller." Indicate the kind of merchant by sign for what he sells and add "seller." Thus, grocery-man is literally "sugar seller" or "seller of sugar, food, etc."

Build.—Build up the hands by placing the palm of one on back of other, like laying bricks, repeating the motion with each hand alternately several times, raising them during the action.

Artist.—Sign for "draw;" using the hand as a rest and the little finger as a brush, make motion of drawing, then add "-er." Or,

(2) Using both little fingers as brushes, holding them opposite, make motion (in the air) of drawing, adding "-er."

Farmer.—Sign for "farm," i. e., bring the left arm up against the breast, "A" hand near left shoulder. Rub the arm near the elbow with the right open hand in a circular motion. Add "-er." XI, 223.

Blacksmith.—Pound the forefinger of the left "G" hand with the right "S" (little finger end); add "-er."

Doctor.—Place the forefinger of "D" right hand on the pulse of the left hand and add "-er."

Nurse.—Same, but use "N" instead of "D."

Surveyor.—Hold the hands as if they were adjusting a surveyor's instrument in front of you; make motion of sighting and measuring along; add "-er."

Secretary.—Reach up the right hand as if to take an imaginary pen from behind the ear; bring it down and make motion of writing; add "-er." XI, 224.

Treasurer.—Sign "money keeper."

President.—Reach the "C" hands up at either side of the head and grasp imaginary horns, carrying both "S"' hands out simultaneously; then sign "rule over" thus: bring left hand down, thumb toward breast; open the right hand and reach it out and pass it over the left arm in a semi-circle from right to left. XI, 225.

Vice-President.—Make sign for "president" and then "second"—holding right "V" hand partly upward and twisting the hand half around.

Governor.—The end of the forefinger of "G" hand is placed against the temple; withdraw it, describe a small circle in the air, and place end again on temple; next pass right hand over left, etc., as in "president." XI, 226.

Soldier.—Hold the "A" hands at one side one above the other as in holding a gun, soldier-like, against the side.

Captain, or Officer in General.—Place the hand upon the shoulder, thus indicating the shoulder straps or epaulets.

Army.—Sign for soldier and then for "class," i. e., bring the "C" hands out and draw them toward each other to a central point.

Robber.—Draw the "N" hands (fingers) across the upper lip, centre to side (one on either side) and add "-er."

King.—Place the right "K" hand just below the left shoulder, then carry it down to the opposite side of the body near the waist; add "rule over;" to this sign add "country" and we have "kingdom." XI, 227.

Queen.—Same with right "Q" hand.

Emperor.—Same with right "E" hand.

Note: In all of the last three, as well as in the case of all persons exercising power of authority, it is more correct to add "rule" as below.

Rule, Exercise authority over.—Hold the hands forward as if holding lines; pull first one and then the other; bring the left open hand, palm down, toward the right and against the breast and at the same time extend the right open hand, palm down, straight out and around toward the left, describing a semi-circle in front of the body from right to left, as in latter part of the sign for "president."

Superintendent, Foreman (the person exercising control).—Make sign for male, then follow with last part of sign as above, bringing the left hand in and the right out and over. If the person exercising authority is a female, the sign for "female" is made instead of that for "male."

Plate XI.