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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

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.

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