Imagine this: a bustling marketplace in Marrakech, dust swirling underfoot, the air thick with the scent of spices.
A deaf Moroccan vendor, eyes bright with warmth, signs to a wide-eyed tourist from Tokyo. With a simple sweep of the hand—fingers spread, palm pulling inward—they convey more.
No spoken word, yet the message lands like a heartbeat: I want more of this connection, this moment, this life.
In that instant, borders dissolve. Sign language, the silent poetry of the hands, becomes the bridge.
The word “more” is universal in its hunger—for food, love, time, justice.
But in sign language, it’s not just a word; it’s a gesture that carries the soul of a culture.
This post dives into how “more” is signed across the world, from the fluid grace of French Sign Language to the bold precision of Japanese Sign Language.
We’ll explore not just the motions, but the stories, histories, and heartbeats behind them. Because “more” isn’t just a request—it’s a declaration of human longing.
Reference Table: “More” in Sign Languages Worldwide
| Language | Sign Description | Cultural/Linguistic Insight |
| American Sign Language (ASL) | Flat hand, fingertips of dominant hand tap the palm of the non-dominant hand repeatedly. | Emphasizes abundance; used in education to encourage participation, reflecting American individualism. |
| British Sign Language (BSL) | Both hands form a claw shape, pulling inward toward the chest. | Tied to post-WWII resourcefulness; “more” often signals resilience in Deaf storytelling. |
| French Sign Language (LSF) | Dominant hand in “O” shape taps the chin, then pulls downward. | Rooted in 18th-century elegance; reflects French appreciation for nuance and excess. |
| Spanish Sign Language (LSE) | Both hands, palms up, scoop toward the body in a fluid motion. | Mirrors Spain’s communal dining culture; “more” is an invitation to share. |
| Italian Sign Language (LIS) | Fingers spread, dominant hand sweeps toward the chest in a dramatic arc. | Expressive like Italian opera; “more” is a passionate plea, often paired with facial intensity. |
| German Sign Language (DGS) | Flat hand chops toward the chest in a precise, repetitive motion. | Reflects German efficiency; used in structured settings like schools to signal continuation. |
| Mandarin Chinese Sign Language (CSL) | Both hands form fists, thumbs up, pulling inward simultaneously. | Symbolizes growth and prosperity; tied to China’s cultural emphasis on abundance (fā cái). |
| Japanese Sign Language (JSL) | Dominant hand in “5” shape, fingers wiggle as hand pulls toward the body. | Subtle yet deliberate; reflects Japan’s value of restraint, even in desire. |
| Korean Sign Language (KSL) | Both hands, palms facing each other, pull apart then snap back together. | Dynamic motion mirrors Korean emotional expressiveness; “more” often conveys urgency. |
| Arabic Sign Language (ArSL) | Dominant hand in claw shape, pulls toward the chest while nodding. | Rooted in hospitality; “more” is a gesture of generosity in Middle Eastern Deaf communities. |
| Swahili Sign Language (Kenya/Tanzania) | Both hands scoop upward and inward, mimicking gathering. | Reflects communal harvest traditions; “more” is a call to share resources. |
| Zulu Sign Language (South Africa) | Dominant hand in fist, taps chest then opens outward. | Tied to ubuntu philosophy; “more” emphasizes collective need over individual want. |
| Yoruba Sign Language (Nigeria) | Both hands form cups, pulling toward the mouth. | Linked to oral traditions; “more” often accompanies storytelling to demand continuation. |
| Maori Sign Language (NZSL) | Dominant hand in “C” shape, circles the chest then pulls inward. | Connected to whānau (family); “more” strengthens bonds in Maori Deaf hui (gatherings). |
| Hawaiian Sign Language (HSL) | Both hands wave inward in a hula-like motion. | Inspired by hula; “more” is a rhythmic invitation, reflecting aloha spirit. |
Note: Sign languages vary by region and community. These are generalized descriptions.
European Sign Languages: Precision and Passion
In Europe, “more” is as diverse as the continent itself. French Sign Language (LSF) taps the chin—a nod to the face’s expressiveness, a legacy of Abbé de l’Épée’s 18th-century innovations. In France, “more” isn’t just a request; it’s a flourish, often paired with a pout or raised brow to convey encore! In Spanish Sign Language (LSE), the scooping motion mirrors the communal tapas culture—más is an invitation to linger at the table.
Italian Sign Language (LIS) turns “more” into theater. The dramatic arc of the hand is pure passione, reflecting Italy’s love for gesture. In German Sign Language (DGS), the chop is sharp, efficient—like a conductor’s baton signaling weiter (continue). British Sign Language (BSL)’s claw-pull feels almost defiant, a remnant of Deaf resilience in industrial-era Britain. Across Europe, “more” is shaped by history: from aristocratic salons to working-class pubs, the gesture adapts, but the hunger remains.
Asian Sign Languages: Subtlety and Symbolism (20+ Countries)
Asia’s sign languages are a tapestry of restraint and symbolism. In Mandarin Chinese Sign Language (CSL), the fist-pull mirrors the character 多 (duō, more), embodying prosperity. In rural Deaf communities, “more” might mean more rice, more luck. Japanese Sign Language (JSL)’s wiggling fingers are delicate, almost apologetic—motto is desired but not demanded, reflecting wa (harmony).
Korean Sign Language (KSL)’s snap-back motion is visceral, used in K-drama-style storytelling to demand daha! (more!). In Indian Sign Language (ISL), the gesture varies by region—northern signers scoop, while southern ones tap the chest, reflecting India’s linguistic diversity. Arabic Sign Language (ArSL), used across 20+ countries (e.g., Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco), ties “more” to karam (generosity). In Jordan, a Deaf host might sign “more” while piling your plate higher, eyes twinkling.
From Thailand’s flowing mâak to Indonesia’s bold lebih, “more” in Asian sign languages balances individual desire with communal harmony.
African Sign Languages: Community and Ubuntu (20+ Countries)
In Africa, “more” is a collective cry. Swahili Sign Language (Kenya, Tanzania) scoops like gathering ugali—zaidi is a call to share. In Zulu Sign Language (South Africa), the chest-tap-then-open gesture embodies ubuntu: I am because we are. “More” isn’t greed; it’s survival, solidarity.
Yoruba Sign Language (Nigeria, Benin) cups hands toward the mouth, echoing oral griot traditions—diẹ sii demands another story. In Amharic Sign Language (Ethiopia), “more” is a circular motion, tied to injera-sharing rituals. Across 20+ countries—from Senegal’s gentle pull to Ghana’s emphatic scoop—“more” reflects Africa’s communal ethos. In Deaf schools in Uganda, children sign “more” not for toys, but for more time to play together.
Indigenous & Island Sign Languages: Roots and Rhythm (20+ Countries)
Indigenous and island sign languages are deeply tied to land and lore. Maori Sign Language (NZSL) circles the chest, invoking whakapapa (genealogy)—“more” strengthens family ties. In Hawaiian Sign Language (HSL), the hula-inspired wave is mahalo in motion—‘oi is an invitation to dance longer.
Cherokee Sign Language (USA) uses a pinching motion, rooted in pre-colonial trade gestures. In Samoan Sign Language, “more” is a bold scoop, reflecting fa’a Samoa (the Samoan way) of abundance. Across 20+ regions—from Inuit Sign Language’s sharp pull in Canada to Yolngu Sign Language’s fluid arcs in Australia—“more” is a thread to ancestors. In Fiji, Deaf elders sign “more” to pass down meke (dance) traditions, ensuring culture endures.
Cultural Insights: The Evolution of “More”
The sign for “more” likely began with survival—more food, more shelter. In ancient Mesopotamia, cuneiform tablets hint at gestural communication among Deaf traders. By the Middle Ages, monastic sign systems in Europe used “more” to request more bread, more prayer. The 18th century saw a revolution: Abbé de l’Épée formalized LSF, spreading “more” as a cornerstone of Deaf education.
In Asia, Buddhist monks may have influenced CSL’s fist-pull, symbolizing more merit. In Africa, “more” is inseparable from ubuntu, a philosophy predating colonialism. Today, globalization blends signs—ASL’s tap influences urban African Deaf communities, while JSL’s subtlety inspires European signers. Yet the core remains: “more” is a cry for connection, rooted in our shared humanity.
Proverbs and Sayings About “More”
- ASL (USA): “More is never enough until the heart is full.” – A Deaf elder’s reflection on gratitude.
- LSF (France): “Plus de pain, plus d’amour.” (More bread, more love.) – A nod to revolutionary hunger.
- Zulu Sign Language (South Africa): “Umuntu ngumuntu ngabanye—more for one is more for all.” – Ubuntu in motion.
- JSL (Japan): “Motto, soshite motto.” (More, and then more.) – A haiku-like meditation on desire.
- Hawaiian Pidgin Sign: “Mo’ betta, mo’ aloha.” (More better, more love.) – Island wisdom.
FAQs About “More” in Sign Language
Why do some signs for “more” look similar?
Many use a pulling motion, mimicking gathering resources—a universal human instinct.
What’s the oldest known sign for “more”?
Likely prehistorical, tied to gestural communication in early human societies. Monastic signs from the 10th century are among the earliest recorded.
Are there cultural taboos around signing “more”?
In some Japanese Deaf communities, signing “more” too aggressively can seem rude—subtlety is key.
How does “more” differ in Deaf vs. hearing cultures?
Deaf signers often pair “more” with facial expressions, making it more emotionally layered than spoken requests.
Conclusion: The Universal Hunger
From the chin-tap of Paris to the hula-wave of Honolulu, “more” is a gesture that transcends tongue and time.
It’s the child in Nairobi signing for another story, the elder in Tokyo requesting one more cup of tea, the artist in Rome demanding più ispirazione.
In sign language, “more” is not just a word—it’s a heartbeat, a bridge, a prayer.
