Journal of Linguistic Anthropology Number 14 Issue 2 A Repertoire of South African Quotable Gestures |
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Gesture Dictionary |
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get out Phuma (Z) First finger extended and moved across in front of the body. |
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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. |
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give Zwakadisa (Z) Hand held out with palm up. Fingers slightly curved and moved towards the gesturer a few times. |
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go vaya (Is) Hand, fingers extended and together with palm facing gesturer, moves up and down once or twice. |
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Go away Vaya (Is) Hand, fingers down, flung outwards away from the gesturer and up. |
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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 |
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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. |
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hat [wool hat]
stragel (Is) Both hands as if holding hat make slight movement downwards on each side of the head. |
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head (Big head) Hloho e kgolo (S) Hands held out on each side of head. |
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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. |
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hit continuously shaya (Z) First finger of one hand clasps knuckle of second finger of other hand and pulls making a clicking sound. |
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hungry (I’m hungry) Ke papehile (Is) Two fists with thumbs extended towards stomach move alternately in and out. |
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