26 July 2022

Seeking assistance with the translation


In the photo above is a member of my extended family visiting the Museo Nacional de Antropología de México last week.

She is apparently trying to convey some message or emotion (?awe) with her hand gestures, but I have no clue.  Can some younger reader help out an old Boomer?

16 comments:

  1. I use that hand sign as "Rock on!" or "Hell Yeah!". Found this article about the origin of the sign: https://www.jacksonville.com/story/entertainment/local/2011/02/18/hand-horns-story-behind-popular-rock-concert-gesture/985504007/

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  2. Elder millennial here. I use it to say something is “f’in metal” as in rockstar, awesome, next level, and/or exciting. Hope that helps. 🤘🏼

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  3. This looks like a casual version of the Sign of the Horns: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sign_of_the_horns

    This was popularized in the US in the context of rock music and is generally a sign of approval. "This rocks!"

    A clear example in the context of a concert can be seen in this stock photo: https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/hands-raised-by-the-crowd-at-live-rock-concert-happy-fans-background-audience-hands-gm1087568076-291789183

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  4. Some may see innocence, but I see gang affiliation. Beware!

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  5. I believe that combination of hand signals and tongue extension is colloquially known as "Rock and roll!", and is used as a sign of approval and excitement.

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  6. Are those not just variations on the metal horns, conveying that something is indeed metal?

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  7. It means "I'm hungry, let's go get some street corn!"

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  8. I have family who can translate the glyphs on the stones behind her, but it may take another 3000 years to grasp the full meaning behind these gestures.

    On the other hand, the Maya practiced human sacrifice, and that IS pretty metal.

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  9. She appears to be gesturing to something behind her, perhaps to notify or gain the attention of the man (her father?) holding her hand. I admit though, It's difficult to see it clearly at this distance.

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  10. Why not just ask her?

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    Replies
    1. Danger! Unless you need to score (badly) avoid anyone throwing gang signs.

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  11. This is an ancient Mayan hand gesture requesting that the person behind them not tailgate so closely.

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  12. Possibly the best museum I've ever visited. BTW, this photo was taken in the exhibit hall on the Mexica (Aztec), not the Maya.

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  13. I definite see a resemblance, Minnesotastan

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  14. I think she's making the "rock on" gesture and sticking out her tongue because the circular stone calendar in the back has a face with its tongue extended like Gene Simmons of Kiss.

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