As of 2026 the neutral connotation approach in ASL to signing "Zionism" is to
fingerspell it.
Notes and observations:
[As of the mid-2020s from an ASL perspective]
In an online social media group an ASL learner asked if anyone in the group
was aware of a sign for "Zionism."
The student mentioned that they had seen a sign that resembled a sign that
depicts an "eye patch" and is commonly used for the concept of "pirate."
In another online group it was mentioned the sign for pirate [PIRATE-(eyepatch_version)]
was used by some Muslims starting in 2025 as a way of referring to Zionism and
alluding to the maritime conflict in which Israel blocked aid ships to Gaza, an
action that some critics described as piracy.
A user of Israeli Sign Language shared (2026) that it was their observation
that ISL signers typically fingerspell the term "Zionism" -- and mentioned
that Zionists consider the "pirate" sign to be impolite.
Comments from William G. Vicars, EdD:
Referring to an articulatory bundle of information as a "word" or a "sign" (with
no qualifiers such as: emerging, proposed, home, regional, possible,
protologistic, neologistic), " is sometimes problematic if that articulatory
bundle of information hasn't *actually* reached a certain level of development
in the life-cycle of a word or sign.
A word or sign that has been newly created or coined but has not yet spread or
gained widespread usage is a protologism or unstable neologism / prelogism.
Here are a few terms having to do with the stage development of a word or sign:
Protologism: A "first-used" word that is currently restricted to a very small
group, a specific context, or only the person who invented it.
Neologism (Unstable): While a neologism generally refers to a new word, in its
early, unspread stage, it is considered "unstable" or a "prelogism."
Nonce Word: A word coined for a single, one-time use to solve an immediate
communication need, which may never be used again.
Coinage: The general term for a newly created word or phrase.
Localized/Restricted: A term that is confined to a specific geographic area or
specialized group.
If and/or after a protologism spreads and starts gaining mainstream recognition,
it becomes a neologism.
At that point if you were to ask many people if the neologism is a word -- many
of them would not recognize it nor consider it a word. However -- if others
start and continue using it -- eventually the neologism may become "a word."
Despite any protologisms or neologisms existing around the world for Zionism or
even any non-ASL signs for Zionism, as of February 2026 there does not appear to
be a widely recognized sign in ASL for Zionism.
In other words, there may be signs in other languages or used by certain groups
used to indicate Zionism -- but as of today (2/18/2026) there are no widely
recognized / accepted signs for Zionism in ASL lexicon.
Denotative signs or words provide a literal, objective meaning of a referent. If
you look a word up in a dictionary, you are (usually) looking at its denotation.
It is factual and doesn't change based on your emotions. Sometimes dictionaries
include connotative words but also include usage labels such as: pejorative,
disparaging, informal, slang, literary, poetic, etc.
Connotative signs or words tend to involve additional emotional or cultural
associations. Connotative signs and words can have positive or negative "vibes."
If a person chooses a word or sign specifically because it is neutral we could
label that word or sign as having a "neutral connotation."
Eventually ASL users in general may be presented with a sign or set of signs
that are in significant / widespread use by people who are:
1. Deaf
2. Immersed in Deaf Culture
3. Fluent in sign language
4. Have a self-perception or identify as a member of the group being discussed
In other words, people who are not intersectional in regard to identifying in
the above categories -- may come up with protologisms -- but it is the community
of those who are intersectional in those identities who will eventually adopt or
not adopt the type of sign that will likely eventually be placed into
dictionaries and gain widespread use.
Until a denotative sign emerges -- those who wishes to use a denotative (or at
least a neutral connotation) approach to communication will choose to spell or
fingerspell "Zionism."
Notes:
index-old.htm
matrix-for-sign-pages (_matrix.htm)
Want to help support
ASL University? It's easy:
DONATE (Thanks!)
(You don't need a PayPal account. Just look for the credit card logos and click continue).
For a list of various ways to donate see:
https://www.Lifeprint.com/donate
Another way to help is to buy something from the ASLU "Bookstore."
A must see!:
ASL University's YouTube playlist ►
Latest ASLU YouTube upload:
