Trader Signs using PISL

Why use Hand Talk?

Use when you can’t talk such as meetings, noisy environments, or when you don’t want others to listen in.

• Most signs require only one hand, unlike other sign languages. Signs can be made unnoticed by others.
• Does not use facial expressions, unlike other sign language's. Face doesn’t give away your thoughts.
• Easy to learn. No spelling out words. 

Trade, Exchange, Sell

Trade: intended for a more general barter of many items.

Exchange: probably intended for one transaction. (Mallory)

Question (?)

Used like a ? mark except at the beginning. Who, what, where, when, why.

Coyote (cunning, trickster)

Not to be trusted. Be careful. He is a coyote. Coyote is always out there; always looking, always hungry. 

Sign: little wolf. There are many stories about coyote and the mischief he causes. Coyote in stories represents man and his foolish mistakes.

Good

From my heart everything is good.  Notice the hand stops at the end of the sign. GOOD! A little good the hand stays closer to the chest and is not as abrupt.

Navajo word is ya at eeh. Used as a greeting.

Worthless, good for nothing 

Sign: dull knife. A dull knife is good for nothing. Can be abbreviated to one hand by rubbing knife against body.

Wipe out, exterminate, no more

All gone, finished, nothing left. “No more soup for you”.

Easy sign with lots of meaning.

End of Conversation 

I’m finished talking.  Neutral sign just like a period at the end of a talk. To provide emphasis at the end of good talk, clap your hand once. When engaged in dialogue and now it is the other person’s turn, fold your hands.

Wolf, Smart

The attributed of a wolf. Sign may mean smart, scout, Paiute, spy. Also, vigilant, watchful.

 Notice hand jumps forward slightly.

Perhaps, Maybe so, If, Doubt, Undecided, Uncertain

Heart looking two ways. My heart is undecided. Maybe. Combine with other signs as in: “maybe coyote” if you are uncertain about someone’s intentions. 

Also expresses undecided, uncertain, perplexed 

When many emotions are to be expressed, use all fingers extended. Many doubts or conflicting emotions.

Are as a question and if are expressed as “maybe so”

Yes

Like and  Love

Pressed to my heart. One hand for like (fond, regard), two hands for love.

Lie or False

Forked tongue or two tongues. Also sign for mistake. 

Money

As in coin. To sign BUY, sign money and then trade.

Look, Hunt

Look point V hand, hunt move hand as in looking.

“When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money.”

― Cree Prophecy