Welcome to Indian Sign Language Online.
The goal of this site is to be a complete resource for indian sign language and to help you (and I) to learn this once common skill. Click on the links at the top of the site to navigate.
Most descriptions, illustrations, and notes are taken from the books Indian Sign Language by William Tomkins and The Indian Sign Language by W.P. Clark which are in the public domain. Where the descriptions differ the more specific one is used and a note is made regarding the differences.
If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me at indiansigns@mountain-man.org.
Bradley C Bailey
Trappers and Indians Communicating by signs
The trappers experience much difficulty in acquiring a knowledge of the Indian tongue, and as if the language was not embarassing enough, its pronounciation is still more puzzling,—the sound proceeding from the throat.
It requires them to sojourn for years amongst the tribes to acquire anything like a proficiency, and in the absence of this they resort to signs, the meaning of which they learn readily, and thus hold animated conversations.
Many of the half breeds however are well versed in the lingo of the various tribes of Indians;—these are sought out for interpreters, and travel with the Camp, making themselves useful also in other matters and duties connected with the Company, such as hunting, mounting Guard, &c.
The West of Alfred Jacob Miller, Marvin C. Ross, pl 193