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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I/me mina (Z) First finger or flat hand touches chest. |
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irritate (She/he is irritating/forward) Uyaphapha (Is) [She/he is flying] Arms bent up at elbows. Hands, hanging loosely with fingers splayed, are held out to the side just below shoulder height, and flapped up and down. |
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jacket/coat/jersey islamba (Is) Shoulders, arms bent and fists make movement of putting on jacket. |
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kick (Kick him down/Tackle) Kapa (Is) Side of hand hits palm of other hand perpendicularly. |
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kill boda (Is) Forefinger of one hand moved across throat sometimes continuing into a vertical point towards the sky. |
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know (I don’t know) Angazi (Z) Hands held out with palms up and shoulders slightly lifted. |
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lies (She/he is lying) Uyaphotha (Is) Forefinger or fingers with palm downwards wave up and down in front of mouth. |
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lip balm setshaso (S) First finger and thumb touching at tips are drawn across the lips. |
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little (a little) ncane (Z) First finger and thumb touch at tips. Rest of the hand is in the shape of a fist facing upwards. |
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lock/key khiya/sekhiya (S) Hand in fist with thumb resting on the knuckle of the first finger. Hand makes turning action from the wrist. |
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