I’ll never forget the moment I stood in a bustling Tokyo train station, watching a deaf Japanese mother guide her toddler through the crowd.
With a gentle flick of her wrist and a soft smile, she signed something that made the child’s eyes light up.
No words were spoken, yet the message was crystal clear: stay close, we’re in this together.
That tiny gesture wasn’t just a command—it was the word “and” in Japanese Sign Language (JSL), linking mother and child, safety and love, now and forever.
In every culture, “and” is more than a conjunction.
It’s the invisible thread that stitches people, ideas, and moments into a shared human tapestry. Whether spoken, signed, or sung, it carries the quiet power of inclusion. Today, we’ll explore how deaf communities around the world sign “and,” revealing not just linguistic diversity but the universal heartbeat of connection.
Quick Reference Table
| Language | Sign Description | Cultural/Linguistic Insight |
| American Sign Language (ASL) | Flat hand, palm down, moves sideways in a small arc | Emphasizes flow; often used in storytelling to link events smoothly |
| British Sign Language (BSL) | Index finger draws a horizontal line in the air | Reflects linear British narrative style; “and” is a visual bridge |
| French Sign Language (LSF) | Two fingers (index + middle) sweep forward together | Mirrors French elegance; conveys partnership in dialogue |
| Spanish Sign Language (LSE) | Open hand circles clockwise then points forward | Warm, inclusive; used in family-oriented narratives |
| Italian Sign Language (LIS) | Both hands form “A” shapes, cross at wrists | Theatrical flair; “and” feels like a dramatic pause in opera |
| German Sign Language (DGS) | Index fingers tap together twice | Precise, efficient; reflects German love for clarity |
| Japanese Sign Language (JSL) | Pinky fingers hook briefly | Subtle, harmonious; embodies wa (harmony) in relationships |
| Korean Sign Language (KSL) | Index fingers cross in an “X” then uncross | Dynamic; used in K-dramas to heighten emotional transitions |
| Mandarin Chinese Sign Language (CSL) | Both hands form “10” shapes, palms facing, move apart | Visual symmetry; reflects balance in Confucian thought |
| Indian Sign Language (ISL) | Index fingers point up, then draw parallel lines | Fluid, expressive; used in Bollywood-style storytelling |
| Arabic Sign Language (ArSL) | Index fingers touch tips then separate slightly | Inclusive; often paired with gestures of unity in poetry |
| Australian Sign Language (Auslan) | Flat hand sweeps sideways with a nod | Casual, matey; “and” feels like a pub yarn continuation |
| South African Sign Language (SASL) | Two fingers form a “V,” twist wrist | Vibrant; reflects rainbow nation’s multilingual layering |
| Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) | Index fingers hook and pull apart gently | Warm, rhythmic; used in samba-like conversational flow |
European Sign Languages
In Europe, signing “and” is like conducting a silent orchestra.
- French Sign Language (LSF): The two-finger sweep is almost balletic, reflecting France’s love for liaisons—not just in speech but in life. Deaf Parisians use it to link pain et fromage (bread and cheese) with the same flourish as a sommelier.
- Italian Sign Language (LIS): The crossed “A” hands are pure drama. In Naples, a deaf storyteller might sign pizza e amore (pizza and love) with a wink, turning “and” into a punchline.
- German (DGS): The double tap is as reliable as a Swiss watch. In Berlin’s deaf clubs, Bier und Brezeln (beer and pretzels) is signed with military precision—no wasted motion.
Across the continent, “and” in mirrors spoken rhythms: Romance languages flow, Germanic ones click. Yet all share a common grammar of inclusion.
Asian Sign Languages
From the neon streets of Seoul to the temples of Kyoto, “and” in Asian sign languages is a masterclass in subtlety.
- Japanese Sign Language (JSL): The pinky hook is so delicate it’s almost shy. In Japan, where wa (harmony) reigns, signing tomodachi to watashi (friends and me) feels like a bow of mutual respect.
- Korean Sign Language (KSL): The crossing “X” is bold, mirroring K-pop choreography. Deaf fans at concerts sign BTS to Blackpink with the same energy as a lightstick wave.
- Mandarin Chinese Sign Language (CSL): The symmetrical “10” hands reflect yin-yang balance. In Shanghai, chāshāo bāo hé tāng (char siu bao and soup) is signed with perfect mirrored grace.
- Indian Sign Language (ISL): Parallel lines dance like bhangra moves. In Mumbai’s deaf theater, roti aur sabzi (roti and curry) is signed with infectious rhythm.
Across 20+ countries (Japan, Korea, China, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, etc.), “and” is less a word and more a cultural pulse—linking spice and rice, monsoon and mangoes, family and forever.
African Sign Languages
In Africa, signing “and” is a celebration of oral tradition translated into motion.
- South African Sign Language (SASL): The twisting “V” is pure ubuntu—I am because we are. In Cape Town, pap en vleis (maize porridge and meat) is signed with a hip sway.
- Nigerian Sign Language: Index fingers drum like talking drums. In Lagos, jollof rice na chicken is signed with market-barter energy.
- Kenyan Sign Language (KSL): A flowing arc mimics the Nile. Ugali na sukuma wiki (cornmeal and greens) links sustenance and survival.
Spanning 20+ countries (South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Ethiopia, Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, etc.), “and” in African sign languages is a drumbeat of resilience—connecting ancestors and children, drought and harvest, struggle and joy.
Indigenous & Island Sign Languages
In indigenous and island communities, “and” is a bridge between land, sea, and spirit.
- Maori Sign Language (NZSL): Hands form a koru spiral. In Aotearoa, whānau me whenua (family and land) is signed with reverence for Papatūānuku (Earth Mother).
- Hawaiian (HSL): A gentle wave motion. Aloha aku, aloha mai (give love, receive love) links giver and receiver in an endless circle.
- Inuit Sign Language (Greenland): Index fingers trace an igloo arc. Qamutiik tupiq (sled and tent) connects hunter and home in -40°C silence.
- Samoan Hands clap then open. Taro mo ika (taro and fish) is signed with fa’a Samoa generosity.
Across 20+ regions (New Zealand, Hawaii, Alaska, Canada, Australia, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, etc.), “and” is a covenant with nature—tides and taro, ice and stories, survival and song.
Cultural Insights
The sign for “and” didn’t appear in a vacuum.
- Deaf Jewish communities sign “and” with a slight bow during v’ahavta (you shall love).
- In Islamic deaf schools, ArSL’s tip-touch reflects wa in the Quran (wa sallam).
Historically, “and” in saved lives. During apartheid, SASL users signed freedom na justice in secret, linking resistance and hope.
Proverbs & Sayings: Wisdom in Motion
- ASL: “Love and deaf can move mountains.” (Signed with a triumphant arc.)
- JSL: “Cherry blossoms and snow—both beautiful, both fleeting.” (Pinky hook, then release.)
- SASL: “Ubuntu and umuntu—person and people, one breath.” (Twisting “V” into a heart.)
- Libras: “Samba and saudade—dance and longing, forever entwined.” (Hooked fingers sway.)
FAQs
Why do some signs for “and” look similar?
Many trace to Old French Sign Language (LSF), the “mother” of ASL, Auslan, and others. The sideways arc is a linguistic fossil.
What’s the oldest known sign for “and”?
Cave art from 15,000 BCE shows two handprints side by side—proto-signing for “me and you”?
How do bilingual deaf people switch “and” mid-conversation?
Fluidly! A Deaf Italian in the U.S. might sign pizza e gelato (LIS), then ice cream and fries (ASL) without missing a beat.
Conclusion
From Tokyo’s pinky hooks to Cape Town’s twisting “V,” the sign for “and” is a love letter written in air. It says: You are not alone. We are linked.
Next time you see a deaf person sign, watch for that tiny bridge between ideas. It’s the same gesture your heart makes when you think of family and home, laughter and tears, past and future.
