Journal of Linguistic Anthropology Number 14 Issue 2

A Repertoire of South African Quotable Gestures
Heather Brookes

Gesture Dictionary
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

desire (I desire her)
Ke ya mokgalla (S)
Tongue moves across upper lip

dice
madice (S)
Fist held up and shaken back and forth.

dig/laborer
peta/mapetane (S)
Hands as if holding a spade make digging action.

down
fatse (S)
One or both hands, fingers extended and palms down, are held out in front and moved up and down a few times.

drink/alcohol/beer
kgasa (Is)
First finger, with thumb at right angles, points diagonally downwards and moves up and down from wrist towards the other hand. Forefinger and thumb of this hand make a circle. Remaining fingers of this hand hold the same curve as the forefinger.

drink (Give me a drink of water)
phuza (Z)
Hand as if holding a glass is tilted towards the gesturer once.

drunk (She/He is drunk)
Udakiwe (Is)
Side of curved first finger is drawn across the forehead.