Indigenous signs for countries in the Caribbean Basin

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For a quick, interesting resource for facts about this and other countries,
try Mystic Planet - The New Age directory of Planet Earth.


Explanation of glossing system used
(to understand how I describe the signs in this dictionary)

Bermuda (Bermuda)
(2h)[B], POs > signer, are held with DH held high and NDH held at chest, both hands twist at wrists in place.2 (< an indigenous dance.)

Cuba (Cuba)
(1) [C], PO away from signer, taps forehead with backhand.1 For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see NEEDS Outreach: Cuba. (2) [B], PO away from signer, FO diagonally up and > NDS, touch forehead with back of FTs.2

Dominican Republic (República Dominicana)
(1) [D], PO > signer, touches chin, then ascends while changing to [R] and touches forehead.1 (2) D-R.1

Guadeloupe (Guadeloupe)
(2h)[5], tap thumbs with DH PO away, FO > NDS, and NDH Po > signer, FO > DS. To see a video of this sign, go to LSF : Dictionnaire et + - Guadeloupe.

Haiti (Haiti)
(1) [H], PO > signer, touches side of arm.1 (2) DH [H] moves repeatedly across the line of vision of the DS eye.2

Jamaica (Jamaica)
DH [B] traces outline (with palm) of [B], PO down, FO away from signer. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see NEEDS Outreach: Jamaica. (< shape of island.)

Martinique (Martinique)
(2h)[5], POs > signer, FOs ><, hands are held high and wg. To see a video of this sign, go to LSF : Dictionnaire et + - Dictionnaire and click on "Martinique".

Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico)
(1) P-R. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see NEEDS Outreach: Puerto Rico. (2) [P] touches NDS of chin with FTs, then [R] touches DS of chin with FTs.1 (3) [P] touches FT to [S], PO down, FO away, then [R] does the same.2

The Bahamas (The Bahamas)
(1) (2h)[B], POs down, FOs ><, hands alt. mime striking drums. For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see NEEDS Outreach: Bahamas.


List of sources cited

1. Signs around the world: Countries [Videotape]. Burtonsville, MD: Sign Media.
2. From a handout I was given that included indigenous signs I have seen in other reference works, so it seems properly researched.

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