UNIFIED HUMAN HAND GESTURE THEORY
As we know, all attempts to decipher the written and spoken languages of the bipedal inhabitants of Sol 3 have thus far been of limited success. The only form of human communication with interpretation of which we have confident consensus is a selection of a few hand gestures that seem to have been broadly utilized.
One of these gestures is the upward display of digits 0, 1 and 4, commonly accepted to mean "I love you". It has recently been uncovered that this gesture is a combination of three other hand gestures - the extension of digit 4, meaning "I", the extension of digits 0 and 1, meaning "love", and the extension of digits 0 and 4, meaning "you".
It is the contention of this document that, using this combination as a model for syntax, we are able to derive the potential meanings of other human hand gestures, including those not yet observed in use. This proposed framework, as documented herein, shall henceforth be known as the Unified Human Hand Gesture Theory, or UHHGT for short.
---Terms used---
For the purposes of this document, we shall only consider digits to be extended or retracted, labeling them as 0 (the opposable thumb), 1 (the "pointer" finger), 2 (the "middle" finger), 3 (the "ring" finger) and 4 (the "little" finger). This provides us with a five digit binary sequence, or 32 different configurations.
Further, the orientation of the hand appears to have been noteworthy, but given humans' bilateral symmetry and native environment of a planetary gravity well, we are assuming five gestural orientations: UP (away from the gravity well), OUT (towards a specific object or the surrounding environment, often towards the recipient of the gesture), IN (towards the torso or face of the gesturer), DOWN (towards the gravity well), and MOTION (rapid oscillation in place).
The combination of 32 digit configurations and 5 orientations yields 160 possible gestures, many of which we already understand and which can be parsed using the UHHGT.
---I, You, and Orientation---
We must first consider the assertion that the extension of digit 4 indicates the gesturer, while the extension of digits 0 and 4 together indicates the recipient of the gesture. One of the most well-understood gestures is the extension of digit 0 by itself in the UP or DOWN position, indicating approval or disapproval, respectively.
If we interpret the extension of digit 0 to indicate something external to the self (and, specifically, the assessment or evaluation thereof), then the interpretation of digits 0 and 4 together makes sense. "You" is a combination of the concepts of "self" and "other", i.e., something that shares my traits but is not me, a self that is not my self.
Complicating matters is the fact that, while this "you" gesture is not broadly used, when digits 0 and 4 are in oscillation, it is known to indicate comfort and peace. This is why UHHGT differentiates MOTION as a distinct orientation of the gesture, one that indicates complexity or emphasis, the assertion that the gesture in question applies to multiple objects or in multiple ways, pointing in multiple directions as the hand oscillates.
Let us suppose that the orientation of UP indicates approval and assent, the orientation of IN indicates the gesturer, the orientation of OUT indicates something external, the orientation of DOWN indicates disapproval and dissent, and the orientation of MOTION indicates emphasis or broad application. Using these interpretations, the meaning of various gestures (many of which are already known) can be derived.
0, UP - The object external to me is good, approval. 0, IN (usually toward chest) - The external object is this gesturer, I am that which you seek. 0, OUT - Assess that object, assess that environment, check that out. 0, DOWN - The object external to me is bad, disapproval. 0, MOTION - An external object or situation is complicated, multiple factors are involved.
4, UP - I am good, I approve of myself and am well. Me (complimentary). 4, IN (usually toward mouth) - My current presentation and actions are indicative of my true self. 4, OUT - That object is associated with me, it is like me or it is mine, I am aligned with it. 4, DOWN - I am bad, I dislike myself and am unwell. Me (derogatory). 4, MOTION - I am complex, I am important, multiple things are associated with me.
0+4, UP - A self that is like me but is not me is good. You (complimentary). 0+4, IN (usually toward side of head) - Orient yourself towards me, call me. 0+4, OUT - That object is associated with you, is it like you or it is yours, you are aligned with it. 0+4, DOWN - A self that is like me but is not me is bad. You (derogatory). Terminate communication. 0+4, MOTION - Multiple objects are associated with me. I am of this environment. We.
The interpretation of extending digit 4 upward meaning not only the self but approval of the self makes sense of its use in the consumption of beverages. It is known that extending the little finger while drinking (upward as the vessel is raised to the mouth) is considered to be sophisticated and polite. It is further known that beverages containing CH3CH2OH can have psychoactive effects on humans who consume them, promoting social bonding and enjoyment in moderate doses, but irregular behaviour and adverse effects when consumed to excess.
The extension of digit 4 upwards while drinking affirms the drinker's approval of themselves. It communicates that the beverage is being consumed responsibly and for enjoyment, not gluttonously or in an attempt to escape or obliterate the self.
---Action---
The interpretation of digits 0 and 1 as "love" requires us to remember that, in the context of "I love you", "love" is being used as the verb of a declaration, an action that is being asserted. If we presume that digit 1 is the digit of action, and that the orientation is UP, then the breakdown of "love" is "action", "external" and "positive", i.e. "do good things".
Complicating matters is the known interpretation of digits 0 and 1 when applied against the forehead, indicating that the recipient of the gesture is a "loser". If we understand this orientation as IN, however, we might actually interpret it as "an action has been taken on this gesturer's behalf" or "I have won", which, assuming that the gesturer and recipient are in competition, would necessarily imply that the recipient has lost.
0+1, UP - Positive action towards something, love (though not necessarily that it is the gesturer who loves). 0+1, IN - Action is taken towards the gesturer, the gesturer is accomplishing or has accomplished an action. 0+1, OUT - Action has been taken or should be taken towards that object or environment, go do something there. 0+1, DOWN - Negative action towards something, hate (though not necessarily that the gesturer hates). 0+1, MOTION - Action towards something external is important, multiple actions must be taken, or actions must be taken towards multiple external objects.
So, when separated from the digit 0's implication of externality, digit 1 by itself merely indicates action without subject:
1, UP - Positive action! The gesturer approves of action and change. 1, IN - Action oriented towards the gesturer. Events are affecting the gesturer. 1, OUT - Action oriented towards the object. Events are affecting the object. (Often, "go there".) 1, DOWN - Action is bad. Action and change should not occur, do not act. 1, MOTION - Action is complicated and involves multiple factors. Attention should be paid to current events, intentions, and their consequences. (Often, a scolding gesture, meant to indicate that recent actions should be re-evaluated.)
One gesture that is known, but that has a complicated interpretation is digits 1 and 4 extended upwards (sometimes called "the horns"). This gesture appears to have been used as a statement of defiance or self-celebration, which, in this framework, can be easily understood as a combination of "self", "action" and "approval" without the addition of digit 0's "other". It is a self-contained declaration that one's own actions are meritorious and that the gesturer approves of their own behaviour.
1+4, UP - The gesturer approves of their own behaviour, a celebration of accomplishment or ability. 1+4, IN - The gesturer is acting upon themselves, their actions are inward-focused. 1+4, OUT - The gesturer is acting upon the indicated object or environment, the gesturer intends to travel along the indicated vector to accomplish a task. 1+4, DOWN - The gesturer does not approve of their own behaviour, an indication of regret or remorse. 1+4, MOTION - The gesturer is performing or will perform multiple actions, the gesturer's actions are complex or important.
We can therefore return to the "I love you" gesture and sort it among related gestures.
0+1+4, UP - The gesturer is acting beneficially towards the recipient, I love you, I am working to your benefit. 0+1+4, IN - The gesturer is acting towards themselves on the recipient's behalf, I am performing an action for you or because of you. 0+1+4, OUT - The gesturer is acting towards the object on the object or recipient's behalf, I am doing that thing for you or because of you. 0+1+4, DOWN - The gesturer is acting detrimentally towards the recipient, I hate you, I am working against you. 0+1+4, MOTION - The gesturer's actions toward the recipient are complex and important, I am doing many things on your behalf or because of you.
---Offense and Commitment---
One of the most well-known human gestures is the raised middle finger (in this notation, digit 2 oriented UP), which indicates insult, offense, aggression, or defiance. This would seem to upset the UHHGT's entire framework, if one presumes that aggression cannot be positive.
If, however, one takes into account the human species' long-observed history of violence against each other, we can understand extension of digit 2 to be misfortune in the abstract, with the UP orientation indicating, in essence, "it would be good if violence happened".
2, UP - Violence and misfortune are good, the gesturer would approve of disruption. 2, IN - Violence is directed toward the gesturer, misfortune targets the gesturer. 2, OUT - Violence is directed toward the object, misfortune is headed that way. 2, DOWN - Violence should not occur, the gesturer would prefer if disruption were halted or prevented. 2, MOTION - Violence and disruption are everywhere, chaos is unfolding!
We will not speculate on the entire sequence of possible gestures here, but some notable projected gestures are:
0+2, UP - Violence and misfortune should befall something external, disruption should be visited upon something other than the gesturer. 1+2, OUT - Act in violence toward that object, attack along that vector. 0+1+2, IN (often toward the side of the head) - External action is being taken toward the gesturer, the gesturer is being attacked. 0+2+4, DOWN - The gesturer disapproves of violence toward the recipient, let no aggression between us take place, truce. 1+2+4, OUT - The gesturer is acting against that object, I am hurting or attacking that thing.
Digit 3 is rarely used in these gestures, perhaps owing to the awkward positioning of certain structural fibers in the human hand that can make gesturing with digit 3 uncomfortable and awkward. It is also known that digit 3 (sometimes known as the "ring" finger) has significance with regards to long-term commitments. This makes sense, given the difficulty of extending digit 3 by itself - to use digit 3 indicates that one is fully committed to whatever gesture or action is being undertaken. In UHHGT, the significance of digit 3 is taken to be "duty", "habit", or "pattern of repeated action", the assertion that a given statement or practice is serious and requires long-term dedication or discipline.
One gesture that is sometimes seen in certain iconography is a hand extended in the upright position from a benevolent figure with digit 2 being held down with digit 0. If we assume the benevolent figures are being held up as models of laudable behaviour, then we can interpret the gesture thusly:
1+3+4, UP - The gesturer has a pattern of action with regards to themself that they approve of, they have a dedicated practice of proper self-maintenance and self-improvement.
---All and None---
When all digits are extended, this is taken to mean the entirety of possible meaning, i.e., communication itself.
ALL, UP - Communication should occur, the gesturer is open to sending and receiving information. ALL, IN (usually toward the chest)- Communication is oriented towards the gesturer, let me tell you something. ALL, OUT - Communication is oriented towards an object or situation, let us communicate about this thing. ALL, DOWN - Communication should not occur, I have nothing to say to you and do not wish to discuss matters further. ALL, MOTION - Communication is complicated or important, pay attention to me!
When all digits are retracted, this is taken to mean a lack of communication, i.e., that communication is not necessary.
NONE, UP - It is good that communication is not required, we all already know what needs to be done and are in agreement. NONE, IN (often thumped against the chest) - The gesturer does not need to explain themself, the gesturer's nature and actions are self-explanatory. NONE, OUT - No communication will take place with that thing, we do not need to discuss it. NONE, DOWN (often towards a flat surface) - The lack of communication is bad, I demand communication, I demand gestures or images. NONE, MOTION - It is important that communication not take place, now is not a time of negotiation (often exhibited as an invitation to conflict).
A rare mutual gesture is sometimes seen, where two humans will both gesture towards each other with no digits extended, bumping the curled joints together. In this framework, this gesture can be understood to mean "we do not need to communicate, we are already as one". Often, this gesture can then be modified with an extension of all digits after the bump, indicating "we are as one, yet we can communicate about anything, should we so choose".
---Conclusion---
In conclusion, while a great deal more research is required on the subject of humans and their multitudinous forms of communication, the Universal Human Hand Gesture Theory seems to hold true for a wide variety of known gesture types, and may indicate a structure and grammar to their formation that constitutes an entire rudimentary language with 160 possible context-dependent statements. It implies the meaning of other gestures that have yet to be observed, and may serve as a starting point for attempting communication with the remaining humans, if any are still alive and capable of communication by the time a synthetic five-digit hand can be created and successfully inserted into Sol 3's atmosphere.
