Handwave

Handwave is the most generally applicable language used on Eihlari. We have a multitude of spoken languages, but all have restrictions on who they can be used with. Clan languages are limited to members of the bloodline, Common Eihlari is used between people of close non-blood relationships, and Formal Eihlari is for speaking to non-related people. Handwave is appropriate for all people and all situations, making it the language of choice when there is any uncertainty of which speech to use.

History

Before the Water Seekers' Intervention at the end of the first Volcanic milennium, each family had its own unique set of gestures as part of their vocabulary, but none constituted a full language. The schools that the Seekers arranged were the first to have children from several different clans in the same space. All had learned mutual distrust from the knee, and frequently used their clans' gestures to insult one another when the maestros weren't looking. As they became accustomed to the new schooling method, the students used these gestures more cooperatively. Within fifteen years an early version of Handwave developed alongside the precursor to Formal Eihlari.

Usage

Handwave can be used by itself or mixed in with any spoken language. A conversation can shift seamlessly from Formal Eihlari to Handwave when loud background noise intrudes and back to Formal Eihlari when the noise passes. Of course it's the primary language for Eihlarians who can't hear, but some also choose to use Handwave most of the time simply because they prefer it.

Structure

Handwave gestures can be made with either one or both hands, with a few two-handed exceptions. Using two hands or doubling the gesture adds emphasis. Gesture space reaches from the waist to arm's length above the user's shoulders, but arms do not cross the axis of the body.

Vocabulary

The single most important gesture, the one that is taught first to babies, is (I NEED HELP). It's often called "bug on back" because of its resemblance to a helpless beetle waving its legs in the air. You tuck your arms close to your body with your wrists near your shoulders and hands flailing. It's one of the few gestures that technically requires both arms to perform, although a one-armed version is easily enough understood.

Other common gestures:

(LEAVE ME ALONE): With your elbow against your chest, place the palm of your hand against your face.
(I LOVE YOU): Using one or both hands, press the back of your hand against the side of your chin.
(I WANT TO KNOW): This resembles half of "bug on back", but with the arm extended toward the person you're conversing with. Wave your hand up and down to signal that you are asking a question.
(HURTS): Move the inside of your wrist in a circle over the part of the body that hurts. (This and some other body-part indicators are the few gestures that are permitted to cross the body axis.)

Spoken by

• Eihlarian

It must have been so frustrating for those first multi-clan students to make a really rude gesture, only for the recipient to look confused. I think they must have taught each other the gestures just to make sure their insults were properly understood.

Scribe Elan