|
Journal of Linguistic Anthropology Number 14 Issue 2 A Repertoire of South African Quotable Gestures |
|
|
Gesture Dictionary |
|
|
|
get out Phuma (Z) First finger extended and moved across in front of the body. |
|
|
girl/girlfriend mtwana (Is) Thumb touches each breast starting with the breast opposite to the hand being used and then touches the first breast again. |
|
|
give Zwakadisa (Z) Hand held out with palm up. Fingers slightly curved and moved towards the gesturer a few times. |
|
|
go vaya (Is) Hand, fingers extended and together with palm facing gesturer, moves up and down once or twice. |
|
|
Go away Vaya (Is) Hand, fingers down, flung outwards away from the gesturer and up. |
|
|
gun/shoot ibagaza/bamuza (Is) First and second fingers extended at right angle to thumb pointing upwards. Third and fourth fingers are bent inwards against palm |
|
|
haircut icuti (Z) cut (S) Flat hand moves along the side of the head and then over the top of the head from front to back. |
|
|
hat [wool hat]
stragel (Is) Both hands as if holding hat make slight movement downwards on each side of the head. |
|
|
head (Big head) Hloho e kgolo (S) Hands held out on each side of head. |
|
|
high society Top shayela (Is) One or both hands with palms down are held up in front of the gesturer, a little higher than the head, and moved sideways. |
|
|
hit continuously shaya (Z) First finger of one hand clasps knuckle of second finger of other hand and pulls making a clicking sound. |
|
|
hungry (I’m hungry) Ke papehile (Is) Two fists with thumbs extended towards stomach move alternately in and out. |
