This web page is taken from a handout complied by Lady Ariane Desiree des Cedres, called Cedar, mka Michelle R. Owings-Christian, and is meant as a memory aid for those who have taken the class in SCA-specific sign language, not as a teaching document on its own.
Liber Signi Atlantiae added December A.S. XXX by Gaffer
Note from Alex: I'll try to add any new signs I see, as best as I can transcribe them. The best would be to get this all in SignWriter format...but that would take some doing. If you see any signs, or know a bunch, email me them in this format:
WORD Description of the sign, with any ASL signs in []'s(that's a *tab* between the word and the description; you could also use some other easy-to-parse character like %%% or whatever.) If possible, also tell me where you saw the sign; the anthropology of the sign is important, too.
PLEASE NOTE: All ASL signs are contained in Brackets: [SIGN]
ROYALTY/NOBILITY WITH TIN HATS/PEERS | |
| [KING] | "K" handshape from non-dominant shoulder to dominant hip (be sure that the palm orientation is correct -- if not this can easily confused with the sign for [PRINCE]) |
| [QUEEN] | "Q" handshape moving from non-dominant shoulder to dominant hip |
| Majesty/Majesties | "M" handshape, palm orientation to non-dominant side, moving from approximately waist height to head height (initializing the ASL sign for [HIGH]) |
| [PRINCE] | "P" handshape moving from non-dominant shoulder to dominant hip (be sure that the palm orientation is correct -- if not this can easily confused with the sign for [KING]) |
| [PRINCESS] | "P" handshape moving from non-dominant shoulder to dominant shoulder to dominant hip |
| PLEASE NOTE: I have also seen the signs for [PRINCE] and [PRINCESS] reversed. I believe it is a regional difference. | |
| Highness/Highnesses, | "H" handshape palm oriented to non-dominant side, moving from approximately waist to head height (ASL sign for [HIGH] |
| Royal | "R" handshape moving from non-dominant shoulder to dominant hip |
| Duke | "W" handshape at dominant temple (the closest we could come to the Strawberry Leaves on a ducal coronet of rank) |
| Duchess | "W" handshape at dominant temple + [FEMININE INDICATOR] + [FORMAL, POLITE, FANCY] |
| Grace/Graces | "G" handshape palm oriented to non-dominant side, moving from approximately waist to head height (initializing the ASL sign for [HIGH] |
| Count | "C" handshape moving from center of forehead to dominant temple |
| Countess | "C" handshape moving from center of forehead to dominant temple + [FEMININE INDICATOR] + [FORMAL, POLITE, FANCY] |
| Viscount | "V" handshape at the center of forehead moving to dominant temple and changing to manual alphabet letter "C" at temple (Be VERY CAREFUL with the palm orientation on the "V" so as not to sign [STUPID] -- palm should be facing the non-dominant side) |
| Viscountess | "V" handshape at the center of forehead moving to dominant temple and changing to manual alphabet letter "C" at temple + [FEMININE INDICATOR] + [FORMAL, POLITE, FANCY] (Be VERY CAREFUL with the palm orientation on the "V" so as not to sign [STUPID] - palm should be facing the non-dominant side) |
| Baron | Closed "X" handshape moving from center of forehead to dominant side (denoting three of the pearls/spheres of the Baronial Coronet) |
| Baroness | Closed "X" handshape moving from center of forehead to dominant side (denoting three of the pearls/spheres of the Baronial Coronet) + [FEMININE INDICATOR] + [FORMAL, POLITE, FANCY] |
| PLEASE NOTE: There are several ways of dealing with the construction, "The Duke & Duchess", "Count & Countess", and "Baron & Baroness". I personally find it depends on the amount of time you have. I often do not make the distinction because if people are being called up in Court, they can be seen and usually determined whether they are male or female. In this case I just use the masculine form and gesture to the folks coming up. A colleague of mine in Atlantia uses the masculine form and then the sign [BOTH]. In that case, the construction for "the Baron & Baroness of Settmour Swamp" would be "BARON" + [BOTH] + "SETTMOUR SWAMP" | |
| Excellency/Excellencies | "E" handshape palm oriented to non-dominant side, moving from approximately waist to head height (initializing the ASL sign for [HIGH]) |
| Peer | ASL sign for [EQUAL] |
| Laurel | "L" handshape on each hand placed on the chest where the peerage medallion would rest, miming the shape of the laurel wreath |
| Pelican | [NO] handshape (duck-bill) then same handshape moving to pierce the chest (symbol of the Order, the pelican vulning herself) |
| Apprentice/Protege | ASL sign for [STUDENT], or could be made with the appropriate initialization at the belt |
| Master/Mistress | Sign for [EQUAL] made into an initialized sign using the "M" handshape on each hand (all Masters/Mistresses of whatever flavor are peers) |
| Knight | "K" handshape at waist moving from center to dominant side, drawing the belt which is one of the symbols of the Order |
| Squire | "S" handshape at waist moving from center to dominant side |
| Master/Mistress of Arms | "M" handshape at non-dominant shoulder moving to dominant hip, where it changes to "A" handshape, for the baldric that is one of the symbols of the Order |
| Seneschal | [KEY] + [PERSON] |
| Marshall | Mime pulling a sword, then with [ONE] handshapes one both hands cross fingers in saltire (the Marshall's badge) |
| Chatelaine/Castellan | [WELCOME] + [PERSON] |
| Autocrat | [CONTROL] + [PERSON] I've also seen the ASL sign [BOSS] made with an "A" handshape, but I find that a very awkward maneuver. |
| Feastocrat | [FOOD] + [CONTROL] + PERSON] |
| Archery Marshall | [ONE] handshape with non-dominant hand representing the bowstring. "M" handshape on dominant hand just behind and touching the non-dominant hand (as if preparing to draw the bowstring back) |
| Book Herald | [LECTURE] with an "H" handshape |
| Field/Court Herald | [ANNOUNCE] with "H" handshapes on both hands |
| Signing Herald | [SIGN] with "H" handshapes on both hands |
| Chiurgeon | [HOSPITAL] initialized with "C" handshape |
| Minister of Arts | [TEACHER] initialized with "M" handshape + [ART] |
| Minister of Sciences | [TEACHER] initialized with "M" handshape + [SCIENCE] |
| Minister of Arts and Sciences | [TEACHER] initialized with "M" handshape + [ART] + [SCIENCE] |
| [KINGDOM] | [KING] + [AREA] |
| Barony | "BARON" + [AREA] |
| Oyez! | [ATTENTION] |
| Vivat! | [LIFE] initialized with the "V" handshape |
| Poobah! | "X" handshapes on both hands circling above the head (first part of the sign [CELEBRATE]) |
| Court | [CELEBRATE] + [MEETING] (My associate in Atlantia initializes the sign [GROUP] with the "C" handshape) |
| Noble | My Atlantian colleague uses the "N" handshape with both hands, circling around each other near the dominant shoulder, initializing the local slang for [RELATIONS HIP/ASSOCIATION] |
| Honour | My Atlantian colleague uses the "H" handshape with both hands, circling around each other near the dominant shoulder, initializing the local slang for [RELATIONSHIP/ASSOCIATION] |
| Chivalry | My Atlantian colleague uses the "C" handshape with both hands, circling around each other near the dominant shoulder, initializing the local slang for [RELATIONS HIP/AS SOCIATION] |
| Fealty | [PROMISE] beginning with the "G"handshape |
| Order | [GROUP] initialized with the "0" handshape |
| Companions | [GROUP] initialized with the "C" handshape |
| Grand Council | "C" handshape initializing [GROUP] + [SUPERLATIVE] indicator |
| Rapier | "X" handshape on dominant hand, with palm face non-dominant side, draw large circle with wrist (mimes a rapier parry) |
EAST KINGDOM AWARDS | |
| PLEASE NOTE: Awards which are given in all Kingdoms are not duplicated within these lists. | |
| Award of Arms | [GIFT] + [DISPLAY] with an "A" handshape (my Atlantian colleague uses [GIFT] + arms with "A" handshape crossed in saltire |
| Grant of Arms | [GIFT] initialized with the "G" handshape + [DISPLAY] |
| Maunche | "M" handshape initializing [ART] |
| Silver Crescent | [SILVER] + crescent {shape of the badge, which is actually a decrescent, but what can you do? ;-) } |
| Sagittarius | [SKILL] + mime shooting a bow |
| Tygers Combatant | [TIGER] + (FIGHT] |
| Order of the Golden Rapier | [GROUP] indicator + [GOLD] + mime sign for one thrust in fencing |
| Queen's Order of Courtesy | [QUEEN] + [GROUP] indicator + [POLITE] |
| King's Order of Excellence | (KING] + [GROUP] indicator + [SKILL] + [SUPERLATIVE] indicator |
| Tygers Cub | [TIGER] + [BABY] |
| Burdened Tyger | [TIGER] + [BURDEN] + ducking (look at the badge of the Order) |
MIDDLE KINGDOM AWARDS | |
| Purple Fret | [PURPLE] + fingerspell "fret" or mime tying a knot |
| Silver Oak | [SILVER] + [TREE] |
| Willow | Mime sign for the willow branches; basically depicting the badge of the Order |
| Dragon's Heart | "firebreath" + [HEART] |
| Dragon's Barb | "firebreath" + mime the drawing of a bow + the arrowhead |
| Dragon's Treasure | "firebreath" + [CHERISH] + [WORTH] |
| Queen's Favor/Doe's Grace | [QUEEN] + [PREFER] or [DEER] + [GRACE/BLESSING] |
ATLANTIAN AWARDS | |
| Sea Stag | [DEER] + [OCEAN] |
| Sea Urchin | [OCEAN] + [CHILD] |
| Shark's Tooth | "X" handshape drawing down dominant cheek to indicate a tooth then change to crooked "THREE" |
| Academie d'Espee (rapier) | [TEACHER] + "Rapier" |
| Pearl | Non-dominant hand open, facing out, use [GLITTER] handshape to point to the palm and then fall palm up (indicating the shell and the pearl within, the badge of the Order) |
| Golden Dolphin | [GOLD] + [THREE] handshape on dominant hand, move from dominant shoulder to non-dominant shoulder in an arc (suggesting a dolphin leaping) |
KINGDOMS & PRINCIPALITIES |
|
| AEthelmearc | [ROLLING] + interlaced finger (for the escarbuncle on the device. Or you can reverse the two, I've done it both ways; Alex's note: the rolling is often skipped for the herald's protection) |
| Atlantia | "A" handshape on both hands, near non-dominant shoulder, moving to [OCEAN] |
| Atenveldt | [SUN] + [FACE] |
| Ansteorra | [SUN] starting from waist up + [STAR] |
| An Tir | [LION] + mime the claw with the laurel wreath |
| Caid | Simultaneously with both hands outline the shape of the crescents about eye height |
| Calontir | [CROSS] + [FANCY/DECORATED] (The cross with the stuff on it) |
| Drachenwald | "firebreath" + [WOODS] |
| [EAST] | "E" handshape moving toward the right |
| Ealdormere | [FLOWER] + [WOLF] |
| Meridies | "M" handshape + [STARS] (3) |
| [MIDDLE] | [MIDDLE]: non-dominant hand palm up at waist height. Dominant hand above this, "B" handshape, fingertips toward non-dominant hand. Dominant hand moves in a small circle and lowers to strike the center of the non-dominant palm with fingertips |
| Trimaris | [THREE] handshape on both hands, near dominant shoulder, moving to [OCEAN] |
| [WEST] | "W" handshape moving towards the left |
| Coldwood | [COLD] + [WOODS] |
| Concordia of the Snows | "C" handshape on both hands to [SNAKE] biting its own tail + [SNOW] |
| Cynagua | "C" handshape at the throat moving into the sign [SWAN] |
| Settmour Swamp | [TOWER] + mime sign for it falling over |
| The Mists | [FOG]: non-dominant hand open, palm facing body, fingers toward dominant side. Dominant hand open, palm facing away from body, toward non-dominant hand, fingers facing up. Rub hands against each other |
| Stonemarche | [STONE] + [AREA] |
LIBER SIGNI ATLANTIAE | |
| Intended eventually to become a continuous list of signs for Atlantian place names & other assorted things | |
| Barony | "Baron" + [AREA] |
| Canton | [TOWN] initialized with "C" handshape |
| March | [TOWN] initialized with "M" handshape |
| Shire | [TOWN] initialized with "S" handshape |
| [COLLEGE] | [COLLEGE]: The dominant hand rests palm-down on the open palm of the non-dominant hand; raise the upper hand in an arc while forming it into the "C" handshape |
| Incipient | [WAIT]: open hands at waist height, palms up, wiggle fingers while drawing hands slightly back towards you |
| Acorn | [NUT]: "A" handshape on dominant hand, flick thumb from behind front teeth |
| Triton Herald | [THREE] handshape on dominant hand starting at waist and rising to suggest trident + "Book Herald" with same handshape. |
| Chronicler | [WRITE] + [PERSON] |
| Minister/Mistress of Lists | "Master/Mistress" + [LIST] |
| Clerk Signet | "Royal" + [WRITE] + [PERSON] |
| Chancellor of the University | [TEACHER] + [COLLECT/GRAB] + [PERSON] |
| Clerk of Precedence | [ABOVE] + [ABOVE] + [ABOVE] + [PERSON] |
| Royal Brewer | "Royal" + [BEER] + [PERSON] |
| Brewer | [BEER] + [PERSON] |
| Keeper of the IKAC | [KEEP] + mime drawing a bow + [PERSON] |
What follows is a by-no-means(!) complete listing of signs for various local groups, along with an attempted etymology.
| Placename | Translation of heraldric source | Description |
| Barony of Bright Hills | Silver Hills (H) | [HILL] + [SHINY/FANCY] |
| Incipient College of Sylvan Keep | [WOODS] + [TOWER] | |
| Incipient Canton of Spaggia Levantina | Eastern Coast/Shore (T) | [EAST] brought over forearm of non- dominant hand, to fall straight down after reaching fingertips (as if falling off the cliff) |
| Barony of Storvik | Trireme (H) | Non-dominant hand palm up, slightly curved, dominant hand in "C" handshape, thumb touching non-dominant palm, move as if on waves |
| Barony of Black Diamond | from name | [DARK] + [RING/DIAMOND] |
| Canton of Azurmont | Blue Mountain (T) | [BLUE] + [MOUNTAIN] |
| Incipient Canton of the Citadel of the Four Winds | [FOUR] handshape + (WIND] | |
| Barony of Caer Mear | Tower in the Water (H) | [TOWER] + hands crossed, palms down, push down (now that you've built it, push it down into the swamp) |
| Shire of Drachentor | Dragon Tower (T) | "firebreath" + [TOWER] |
| Shire of Isenfir | Iron Wood (T) | [METAL] + [WOODS] |
| Barony of Marinus | Flaunches and Trident (H) | Mime the flaunches (hold hands in "B" handshape above the head, curve them in and back out as you bring them down to your waist) and [THREE] handshape rising in front of you, signifying trident |
| Barony of Ponte Alto | High Bridge (T) | Non-dominant arm palm down, "P" handshape on dominant hand, touch from crook of non-dominant elbow to back of non-dominant hand, arcing above forearm (reverse of bridge, which arcs below the forearm |
| Incipient College of St. Stephen | from name | "S" handshape, circle clockwise once above head (indicating halo), follow through to make a fancy "S" in the air |
| Barony of Sacred Stone | from name | [STONE] + [CELEBRATE] |
| Canton of the Guardians of the Sacred Stone | [STONE] + [WATCH OVER/KEEP] | |
| Canton of Hawkwood | from name | [HAWK/EAGLE] + [WOODS] |
| Barony of Windmaster's Hill | Kitty Hawk (H) | [CAT] + [HAWK/EAGLE] |
| Canton of Kappelenberg | Chapel Hill (T) | [CHURCH) + [HILL] |
| Barony of Hidden Mountain | from name | [MOUNTAIN] + [SECRET/HIDDEN] |
| Canton of Misty Marsh by the Sea | Reed and Grasses (H) | [GRASS] + [GLITTER] |
| Barony of Nottinghill Coill | Hill and Knot (H) | [HILL] 4 mime tying a knot |
| Incipient Canton of Kestrel's Keep | from name | [HAWK] + [TOWER] |
| PLEASE NOTE: Some of these may eventually change, and become based more on Heraldry than translation or name. You might have noticed the predilection toward (even through various translations) the use of [TOWER]. [HAWK], [WOODS], [HILL], and [MOUNTAIN]. I would like to create a more varied selection, but cannot until I begin receiving more response from the various groups within Atlantia. | ||