N

NAME.  In asking the name of a person the Indian method would be to make the signs QUESTION, YOU, CALLED--"What are you called?" meaning: "What are you named?"

NARROW.  Make the sign for FEW.

NAVAJO--Indian (meaning: makes striped blankets): Make the signs for WORK, BLANKET and STRIPED.

NEAR.  Make the sign for CLOSE.

NEEDLE.  Make the sign for SEW.

NEGRO (meaning: black white man).  Make sign for WHITE MAN, and sign for BLACK.

NEW.  Make the signs for OLD, NO, and GOOD.

NEWSPAPER.  Hold the flat hands side by side, palm up; then move hands apart as though spread out, and sign LOOK.  To this I have known an Indian to add the signs WRITING and TALK.

NEXT YEAR.  You must indicate the season.  If in winter you wish to say, "next summer," make signs for WINTER, for FINISHED, and for GRASS.  Showing summer, high grass.  If in Summer you wish to say, "next Winter," make signs for AUTUMN, for FINISHED, and for WINTER.

NEZ PERCE-Indian (meaning: pierced noses).  Hold right index slightly under and to right of nose, then push index across to left below the nose.

NIGHT (meaning: earth covered over).  Extend flat hands in front of body, ten inches apart, backs up, right hand a little higher; move right hand to left and left to right turning hands a trifle by wrist action.

N0. Hold extended flat right hand, back up, in front of body, fingers pointing to left and front; swing the hand to right and front while turning hand so that thumb is up and back downwards, then return to first position.

NOON. With right thumb and index forming incomplete circle one inch between tips, show position of sun overhead.

NOTIFY. Make the sign for TALK.

NOW.  Bring extended index finger of right hand about 8 inches in front of face, and without stopping carry it quickly several inches to front, stopping with a rebound.

NUMBERS.  See COUNT.

O

OATH.  In early times there were several ways of imposing this obligation.  Pointing to the zenith and the earth was an oath with many tribes.  An ancient oath, with eyes and hands (flat) upraised, meant "God see my hands, they are clean."  Holding up the right hand is now understood by all Indians, and is called "The white man's way."

OBEY.  Make the sign for LISTEN.

OCEAN.  Make the signs for WATER and BIG.

Click on picture to enlarge

OFFICER.  Make the sign for CHIEF.

OFTEN (MANY TIMES, REPEAT).  Hold left forearm horizontally in front of left breast, pointing to front; then with right index touch left forearm several times commencing at wrist and passing upwards towards elbow.

OJIBWAY.  See CHIPPEWA.

OLD (meaning: walking with a stick).  Hold closed right hand, back to right, twelve inches in front of right shoulder, at height of breast; move hand upwards, to front, downwards and back to first position in a curve.  Repeat motion.

OPPOSITE.  Point both extended index fingers toward each other, at same height, other fingers and thumbs closed.

OSAGE-Indian (meaning: shaved heads).  Bring backs of extended hands alongside of head, fingers pointing to rear; move hands downwards as though cutting the hair with lower edges of hands. Repeat this.

OTTER (meaning: decorating the hair).  Hold right hand near top of right ear, thumb, index and second fingers extended together; lower the hand while making a small spiral with tips of fingers.  There is a general custom among all plains Indians of decorating the hair with strips of otter skin.

OUTSIDE.  Make sign to show whether outside of teepee, house or camp; then with left hand still in position make sign for HERE with right hand, beyond or outside of the left hand.

OVER.  Make the sign for ACROSS.

OVERTAKE.  Extend left flat hand with palm outwards, fingers pointing to front and up; hold right 1 hand near breast, palm outwards, index pointing front and up; till it touches left.

OWL (meaning: big eyes).  Make sign for BIRD; then make circles of thumbs and indexes of both hands and place them in front of eyes.

OWN.  Make the sign for POSSESSION