Post by Silverfire on Nov 13, 2021 1:11:52 GMT -6
What is pawspeak?
Pawspeak (or tailspeak) is something I’ve seen used a few times in warrior cats fanfictions to describe what amounts to cat sign language. I did not come up with the term, however I’ve seen it thrown around so I cannot determine the first use of it. From what I know, the term (and the idea) really stems from when a deaf kit named Snowkit is taken by a hawk in A Dangerous Path due to him not being able to hear the warnings others called out to him. The fact that, to date, this is the only kit to be killed off this way and one of two to have been snatched by a bird of prey (the other being a ShadowClan kit while the clans were in the mountains), has upset people for various reasons. The concept on the other hand is actually canon. Tail signals for patrols are a thing and while the books never really did anything with it, they did list a few of them. This led to people expanding on the concept, and boom. Sign language for cats.
Who can use it?
Anyone! My goal with this was to create something that can be shared with the site, and perhaps something that becomes used in the rp itself. There’s no need to credit or anything if you use it. Go crazy! I’ve already got it saved to my notes, if I didn’t want it used, I wouldn’t have posted it.
The Dictionary
Note: Any phrase that has a * next to it is a canonical sign from the books
Basic signs
Signs that deal with common, everyday things. Often used In conjuncture with other signs to form more specific phrases, ie batting at ground before stiffening tail and moving it back and forth slowly would mean RedwoodClan kits.
Pawspeak (or tailspeak) is something I’ve seen used a few times in warrior cats fanfictions to describe what amounts to cat sign language. I did not come up with the term, however I’ve seen it thrown around so I cannot determine the first use of it. From what I know, the term (and the idea) really stems from when a deaf kit named Snowkit is taken by a hawk in A Dangerous Path due to him not being able to hear the warnings others called out to him. The fact that, to date, this is the only kit to be killed off this way and one of two to have been snatched by a bird of prey (the other being a ShadowClan kit while the clans were in the mountains), has upset people for various reasons. The concept on the other hand is actually canon. Tail signals for patrols are a thing and while the books never really did anything with it, they did list a few of them. This led to people expanding on the concept, and boom. Sign language for cats.
Who can use it?
Anyone! My goal with this was to create something that can be shared with the site, and perhaps something that becomes used in the rp itself. There’s no need to credit or anything if you use it. Go crazy! I’ve already got it saved to my notes, if I didn’t want it used, I wouldn’t have posted it.
The Dictionary
Note: Any phrase that has a * next to it is a canonical sign from the books
Basic signs
Signs that deal with common, everyday things. Often used In conjuncture with other signs to form more specific phrases, ie batting at ground before stiffening tail and moving it back and forth slowly would mean RedwoodClan kits.
Batting at ground- Kits
Tail rippling while crouched- Apprentice
Tail straight out and hooked while crouched- Warrior
Looking up with paw reaching up- Medicine cats
Flopped on side- Queens
Lying on back- Elders
Chest puffed out and one paw lifted- Deputy
Sitting with chest puffed out- Leader
Tail thumping ground- the number of thumps stands for a number
Hunting crouch- Prey
Swipe at air- Fight
Scooping the air with paw- Gather
Muzzle curled in disgust with paw reaching forwards- Herbs
Placing paw on throat- Injury/Wounds/Scar
Miming coughing- Sick
Sniffing ground with ears perked- Find
Tail kinked over back before slowly moving downwards- Den
Fur bushed out and mining digging- ThistleClan
Snarling and tail upright and kinked to the right- LichenClan
Tail held straight out stiffly and slowly waving from side to side- RedwoodClan
Fur bushed out, snarling, and snapping at the air- Rogue
Tail purposely brushing the ground- Tribe
Looking up while moving paw from right to left above head- StarClan
Moving paws from apart to together- Gathering/meeting
Tail pointing at another cat- You/that cat
Tail pointing towards self- I
Placing paw on stomach- Hungry
Lolling tongue out and panting- Thirsty
Closing eyes and swaying back and forth- Tired
Paw over eyes- Night
Paw over right eye- Sunrise/dawn
Paw over left eye- Sunset/evening
Paw on own forehead- Day
Paw on own forehead and panting- Hot
Tail wrapped around side and shivering- Cold
Slowly lifting front paws and then lifting them above head in an arc- Newleaf/spring
Lying down and stretching out- Greenleaf/summer
Slowly going into a regular crouch and letting tail fall- Leaf-fall/Autumn/fall
Crouching, fur puffed out and shivering- Leaf-bare/Winter
Action signs
These signs represent different tasks/commands/actions the cat would normally come across during their life as a warrior
These signs represent different tasks/commands/actions the cat would normally come across during their life as a warrior
*Tail held erect- Stop
Patting the ground with tail/actively curling tail towards body- Come here
*Tail pointing low, parallel to the ground and sweeping- Spread out
Tail pointed low, and tapping hind legs- Stick together
*Tail flattened against leg- Get down
Jerking head up- Get up
*Tail pointed sharply- Go that way
*Tail held erect and waving from side to side- Stay behind me
*Tail kinked over back- Follow me
Tail pointed low and kinked- Stop following me
*Tail tip facing other way- Attack over there
*Kinked tail- Attack them
Stalking forwards- Hunting
Padding in a circle- Patrol
Wiggling haunches- Play
Searching for something in the air with paws- Chores
Moving tail diagonally- Do you want to help me/do you want help
Walking back and forth once in a straight line- I’m going on a walk
Tapping another cats shoulders before walking in a circle- lets spend some time together
On back and churning the air with paws- Swimming
Sitting down and reaching into the air- Climbing
Digging at ground- Digging
Sitting and staring expressionlessly- Guarding/vigil
Danger
These signals indicate danger. Often easy to see and recognize
These signals indicate danger. Often easy to see and recognize
*Tail bobbing- Enemy
*Tail tip bobbing- Enemy sighted
Tail low and curved under body- Danger
*Tail low and hooked- Danger ahead
Ears pinned backed, fur bushed out, eyes wide/chirp- Help!
Tail straight behind and bushed out- Go get reinforcements
*Tail flicking over back- Leave, but be careful
*Tail rippling- Move forward slowly with care
*Tail held erect and sweeping slowly from side to side- Retreat silently
Conversational
Signs for everyday conversation with others. Also includes things one might say to another
Signs for everyday conversation with others. Also includes things one might say to another
Tail upright, hooked, and rippling- Hello!
Tail low and rippling- Goodbye!
Paws pressed together- Please!
Bowing/bowing head- Thank you!
Tail pressed against side and head lowered- I’m sorry
Touching nose to shoulder- I forgive you
Slow blink and tilting head- How are you?
Running tail under another’s chin- Are you okay?
Placing tail on another cat’s forehead- You should go to the medicine cat den
Bumping head to another’s chest/squeak- My day was good
Paw on other cats chest- I love you (romantic)
Brushing tail against another’s side- I love you (friendly)
Running tail along another’s spine- I love you (familial)
Paw on own chest- I love you too
Tail erect and quivering- I’m happy to see you/I’m excited.
Tail erect and hooked with ears perked- I’m happy for you/I’m proud of you
Nose twitching and tail slowly moving from side to side- Do you smell that?
Ears twitching and tail slowly moving from side to side- Did you hear that?
Fur bushed out and tail erect and quivering- I’m surprised
Moving tail in a circle- Continue/keep going
Fur bushed out, curled up like sleeping- I had a nightmare
Tail tapping another’s cheek- You’re a good friend
Specific things
Signs that symbolize different animals and objects
Signs that symbolize different animals and objects
Pecking at the ground- Bird
Nose twitching, ears upright, and hopping forwards- Rabbit
Paws up and tail bushed out- Squirrel
Sitting down and pretending to nibble on a seed- Mouse/vole
Crouched down, head pointed forwards and waving from side to side- Fish
Crouched down and tail swerving from side to side- Snake
Tail bushed out and sniffing around- Raccoon
Puffed out as big as possible and claws unsheathed- Bear
Sitting down, muzzle pointed in air, and one paw up- Coyote
Standing, muzzle in air, and one paw up- Wolf
Play bowing with tail bushed out- Fox
Crouched down and lumbering forwards-
Badger
Paw lifted and slowly moving from side to side- Feathers
Tucking chin to chest- Moss
Loafing- Stone
Placing paw on left cheek before moving it to the left- Flower
Placing paw on right cheek before moving it right- Tree