Style: Hand Movements

 As a matter of fact, I never saw a Cheyenne make a straight-line movement, all had a graceful curve.

Many signs are followed by a changeable liaison; that is, by an introduced sweep to join it on to the sign that follows and avoid a jerk or unpleasant movement. This elegant manner is what I call an Indian accent;few whites achieve it.

In a dignified way, the expression of face and the pose were used in elucidation of the gesture, but very sparingly.

 Sign Talk of the Cheyenne Indians Ernest ThompsonSeton

The beauty of Sign talk depends upon the manner of making the gestures. Movements should not be

angular or jerky, but should rather be rounded and sweeping in their rendition. It is inspiring, and a thing of beauty, to witness a sign conversation between two capable Indian sign talkers.

Indian Sign Language, William Tomkins

“The Sign Language is a system of root ideas expressed by gestures, preferably made only by the hands, without sounds or reference to letters, or words, spoken or written, and not delimited by anything corresponding to words.”Sign Talk of the Cheyenne Indians Ernest ThompsonSeton