Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
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whispering in sign language

a miniature form of signing
  (+4)
(+4)
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against]

you don’t really want any tom, dick or harry observing your intimate conversation, do you?

basically it’s a small glove puppet of a face / icon of your choice – bugs bunny, mel gibson, favourite halfbaker, tony blair, etc to wear on your left hand and a short wand atopped with a human hand to wave around with your right (real) hand.

when you wish to whisper or have a private conversation you use the wand to sign over the small face and make all the appropriate gestures. I do realise that some signs probably require two hands (for example the sign for Prince Charles is made by placing both hands behind your ears – palms forward – and wiggle fingers gently) but surely these can be modified in some way.

I do appreciate that there is a slim chance of Prince Charles coming up in intimate conversations.

did I make it clear that this *is* meant for people who have to sign all their conversations.

with thanks to ato_de

dedicated in all sincerity to the memory of Jerith and to your loving family.

po, Jun 10 2003

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       I think most people use Blackberries for these things (private conversations in public) these days. But I could be wrong.
DrCurry, Jun 10 2003
  

       Hand-puppet mime signing?
snarfyguy, Jun 10 2003
  

       first, [po] you would be amazed at how often Prince Charles comes up in intimate conversations. <g>   

       I am having a hard time visualizing this. How does having one hand in a puppet hide what you are signing?
ato_de, Jun 10 2003
  

       all the action takes place on the hands where they can be kept discreetly hidden - as opposed to the larger gestures on your own face. gotta dash, sorry.
po, Jun 10 2003
  

       Izzy Wizzy here's a fishy!
DrBob, Jun 10 2003
  

       Most people who are deaf or interact with the deaf intimately, develop thier own private signs and gestures in the same way an intimate hearing couple develops short hand phrases and inside jokes. Puppets capable of sign language is a cute idea, but I think it's baked.
ato_de, Jun 10 2003
  

       the puppet doesn't do anything it just symbolises the face. the user could be holding a piece of card with a face on it, I just thought a puppet face would work better. this was based on a conversation observed at the bus stop tonight. two people were having a deep signed conversation and were oblivious to the fact that they were being observed from a distance by other signing students.   

       I take your point ato_de about strongly bonded friends though.
po, Jun 10 2003
  

       Howsabout a one hand puppet with two flags? Flag in thumb, flag in pinky = Puppet semaphore!
Cedar Park, Jun 10 2003
  

       Get - that - flag - out
thumbwax, Jun 10 2003
  

       Like your fishies, po. May I share your meal?
The Kat, Jun 10 2003
  

       yep!
po, Jun 10 2003
  

       OK, I've had time to think about it. The image of Kyle and Parker (both 5 years old) sitting in the corner of the room, conspiritorily hiding their puppets, giggling and "whispering" in sign language is a great mental image. (even better than Yasmine Bleethe stretched out in mid air reaching for a frisbee, but not by much and for a completely different reason.)   

       Have a croissant.
ato_de, Jun 10 2003
  

       Isn't "whispering" done by palm writing?
pluterday, Jun 11 2003
  
      
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