Have you ever watched a deaf child light up when their parent signs “good” with a gentle thumbs-up, their face beaming with pride? I remember the first time I witnessed this at a community event—a tiny moment that transcended noise and words.
That simple gesture wasn’t just communication; it was love, approval, and connection wrapped in motion.
But “good” isn’t confined to sign language or any one culture. It’s a universal heartbeat, echoing approval, kindness, and positivity across the globe. Whether spoken, signed, or gestured, it ties humanity together in our shared quest for goodness.
In this post, we’ll explore how “good” manifests in sign languages from diverse cultures—not just the motions, but the stories, emotions, and traditions behind them. Join me on this heartfelt journey to discover how hands (and hearts) say “good” around the world.
Quick Reference Table
Here’s a handy table showcasing “good” in various sign languages. Each includes the primary gesture description, the language/culture, and a cultural or linguistic insight. (Note: Sign languages vary by region and are visual-spatial, so descriptions are simplified for text.)
| Language/Culture | Gesture for “Good” | Cultural/Linguistic Insight |
| American Sign Language (ASL) – USA | Thumbs-up with dominant hand. | Rooted in positive reinforcement; often paired with a smile to convey encouragement in education and daily life. |
| British Sign Language (BSL) – UK | Flat hand, palm down, patted twice on the chest. | Emphasizes heartfelt approval; reflects British reserve with subtle, non-exaggerated motions. |
| French Sign Language (LSF) – France | Thumbs-up, sometimes with a nod. | Influenced by French politeness; used in formal settings to affirm quality or behavior gracefully. |
| Spanish Sign Language (LSE) – Spain | Thumbs-up or “OK” circle with fingers. | Vibrant and expressive; ties into Spain’s passionate culture, often amplified with facial joy. |
| Italian Sign Language (LIS) – Italy | Thumbs-up or hand flick under chin. | Gestural flair mirrors spoken Italian; conveys “bene” with warmth in family interactions. |
| German Sign Language (DGS) – Germany | Thumbs-up, firm and direct. | Precision-oriented; reflects efficiency in German culture, used in professional praise. |
| Japanese Sign Language (JSL) – Japan | Both hands form “O” shapes, brought together. | Harmony-focused; symbolizes balance and positivity, aligning with wa (peace) philosophy. |
| Korean Sign Language (KSL) – South Korea | Thumbs-up or flat hand wave. | Respectful; often bowed with to show humility in approving others’ efforts. |
| Mandarin Chinese Sign Language (CSL) – China | Thumbs-up or “hao” fist bump. | Practical and communal; emphasizes collective good in a society valuing harmony. |
| Indian Sign Language (ISL) – India | Thumbs-up or palm pat on heart. | Diverse variations by region; reflects inclusivity in India’s multilingual tapestry. |
| Arabic Sign Language (ArSL) – Middle East (e.g., Saudi Arabia) | Thumbs-up or open palm forward. | Hospitality-driven; used in greetings to affirm goodness in social bonds. |
| Auslan (Australian Sign Language) – Australia | Thumbs-up, casual and upbeat. | Laid-back vibe; incorporates Aboriginal influences in some regional signs for positivity. |
| South African Sign Language (SASL) – South Africa | Thumbs-up or “V” for victory. | Resilience symbol; post-apartheid, it fosters unity and encouragement in diverse communities. |
| Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) – Brazil | Thumbs-up with enthusiastic shake. | Joyful and rhythmic; mirrors samba culture’s celebration of life’s positives. |
| Mexican Sign Language (LSM) – Mexico | Thumbs-up or circle with thumb and index. | Family-centric; often signed with hugs to express familial approval and warmth. |
European Sign Languages
In Europe, sign languages for “good” often blend thumbs-up motifs with cultural nuances of politeness and directness.
Take French Sign Language (LSF) in France: a subtle thumbs-up, paired with a warm smile, echoes the nation’s emphasis on joie de vivre—affirming not just adequacy, but excellence in art, food, or relationships. It’s a gesture that says, “C’est bon!” with elegance.
Travel to Spain with LSE, where the thumbs-up explodes with energy, much like a flamenco dancer’s passion.
Spaniards view “good” as vibrant and communal, using it in fiestas to celebrate life’s simple joys. In Italy (LIS), a flick under the chin adds flair, reflecting la dolce vita—goodness as indulgent and heartfelt.
Germany’s DGS keeps it straightforward: a firm thumbs-up for efficiency, mirroring a culture that prizes Gut as reliable and high-quality, from. engineering to beer
BSL in the UK pats the chest modestly, embodying British understatement—goodness is sincere but not showy. Across Europe (including Portugal, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Poland, Russia, Greece, Turkey, Belgium, Austria, Switzerland, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Iceland, and more), these signs evolve from Latin roots or isolation, yet universally foster inclusion, reminding us that approval builds bridges in diverse societies.
Asian Sign Languages
Asia’s vast tapestry reveals “good” signs steeped in respect, balance, and community. In Japan (JSL), interlocking “O” shapes symbolize unity, aligning with zen principles—goodness as harmonious flow. Korea’s KSL adds a humble bow to the thumbs-up, honoring jeong (deep affection) in family and work.
China’s CSL uses a practical thumbs-up, reflecting Confucian values of collective well-being over individualism. In India (ISL), regional variations like heart-pats highlight diversity, where “good” invokes ahimsa (non-violence) and karma.
The Middle East’s ArSL (in countries like Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Syria, Palestine, Israel, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Nepal) often features open palms, tying into Islamic hospitality—tayyib (good/pure) as a blessing. From Thailand’s thumbs-up waves to Indonesia’s gentle nods, these 20+ nations (including Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, Timor-Leste, Maldives, Bhutan, and Mongolia) show “good” as a thread of resilience and interconnectedness, emotionally grounding us in shared humanity.
African Sign Languages
Africa’s sign languages pulse with community spirit and storytelling. South Africa’s SASL blends thumbs-up with “V” signs, symbolizing victory over adversity in a rainbow nation.
In Swahili-influenced regions (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda), open-hand gestures evoke nzuri (good/beautiful), celebrating ubuntu— I am because we are.
Zulu signs in South Africa/Zimbabwe use chest taps for heartfelt approval, rooted in oral traditions. Yoruba-influenced Nigerian Sign Language incorporates rhythmic motions, mirroring proverbs on moral goodness.
Across 20+ countries (Nigeria, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, Somalia, DRC, Congo, Angola, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, and Madagascar), signs vary by cohort and history, yet unite in expressing goodness as communal strength— a poignant reminder of Africa’s enduring spirit amid challenges.
Indigenous & Island Sign Languages
Indigenous and island signs for “good” honor nature, ancestry, and survival. Maori Sign Language in New Zealand uses open palms, invoking pai (good) in haka-like energy, tied to whakapapa (genealogy).
Hawaiian Sign Language (HSL) features aloha-infused thumbs-up, where goodness flows like ocean waves. Cherokee communities in the USA pat the heart, reflecting harmony with the earth.
In Samoan islands, enthusiastic shakes celebrate lelei in communal feasts. Across 20+ locales (Australia’s Aboriginal signs, Canada’s Inuit, Alaska’s Yupik, Fiji, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Guam, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Palau, Nauru, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau), these signs preserve oral histories, emotionally evoking deep respect for land and elders—goodness as stewardship.
Cultural Insights
The sign for “good” has evolved from ancient gestures—think Roman thumbs-up for gladiator mercy—to modern inclusivity tools. Historically, in Deaf communities post-18th-century schools (like France’s Abbé de l’Épée), it symbolized empowerment. Religiously, Christian signs nod to “God is good”; Islamic ones to purity; Indigenous to ancestral balance. These motions aren’t mere mechanics—they’re emotional lifelines, fostering belonging in a hearing-dominated world, and highlighting how goodness transcends barriers.
Proverbs
- English (ASL influence): “A thumbs-up a day keeps the frown away.” (Modern twist on positivity.)
- Japanese: “Good harmony builds good fortune.” (JSL’s interlocking Os.)
- African (Swahili): “Goodness shared is goodness doubled.” (Ubuntu essence.)
- French: “Le bon geste vaut mille mots.” (A good gesture is worth a thousand words.)
- Indian: “Good deeds sign the soul’s path.” (Karmic reflection.)
These sayings remind us: goodness is active, signed into existence.
FAQs
Why do many sign languages use thumbs-up? It’s iconic and universal—easy to see, rooted in natural gestures for approval, though variations avoid cultural taboos (e.g., not in some Middle Eastern contexts).
What’s the oldest known sign for “good”? Traced to 17th-century European manuscripts, but indigenous oral gestures likely predate writing by millennia.
How do cultural differences affect expression? Western signs are direct; Asian, subtle and respectful; African/Indigenous, communal and rhythmic—yet all convey emotional warmth.
Conclusion
From a child’s beaming thumbs-up to an elder’s heartfelt pat, “good” in sign language reveals our shared soul—approval that heals, unites, and inspires. In a divided world, these gestures whisper: goodness is borderless. What’s “good” in your sign language or culture? Share your stories, signs, or anecdotes in the comments below—I’d love to learn from you and keep the conversation signing!
What’s your favorite way to sign or say “good”? Drop it below and let’s celebrate together!
