Same as American in British Sign Language (BSL)

The sign for “Is British Sign Language the same as American?” is often used in conversations about the differences between BSL and ASL, particularly among learners and those curious about the Deaf communities. This sign helps facilitate discussions about language and cultural identity within the UK Deaf community.

How to Sign “Same As American” in BSL

1. Start with your dominant hand in a flat handshape (like a “B” handshape), palm facing forward.
2. Position your dominant hand slightly in front of your chest.
3. Move your hand horizontally to the right while turning your palm down, as if indicating a comparison.
4. Maintain a neutral facial expression, and use slight head movement to indicate a question—this helps show that you are asking if BSL is the same as ASL.
5. To emphasise the comparison, you can also use your non-dominant hand to indicate “British Sign Language” and then use the dominant hand to indicate “American Sign Language” in the same manner.

Common Mistakes

• Forgetting to use facial expressions, which are crucial in BSL to convey questions.
• Not using the correct handshape or palm orientation, which can lead to misunderstandings.
• Failing to maintain the topic-comment structure, making the sentence unclear.

BSL vs ASL

In BSL, the sign for “same as” involves a comparison using hand movements and facial expressions, while in ASL, the sign differs significantly in both handshape and execution. BSL tends to rely more on non-manual features, which can make it visually distinct from ASL.

Related Signs

• (Bsl) – The sign for British Sign Language.
• 1 – The number one in BSL.
• 10 – The number ten in BSL.
• 100 – The number one hundred in BSL.
• 11 – The number eleven in BSL.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this sign in a full sentence?

Yes! You can use it as part of a BSL sentence by structuring it appropriately. For example, “BSL IS SAME AS ASL?”

Are there regional variations in BSL for this sign?

There may be slight variations depending on the region, but the core sign remains consistent across the UK.

Is there a sign for “different” in BSL?

Yes, the sign for “different” is commonly used to contrast BSL and ASL.

What are some tips for learning BSL effectively?

Practice regularly, engage with the Deaf community, and consider taking classes to improve your skills.

How can I find resources for learning BSL?

Look for local Deaf clubs, online courses, and community workshops that focus on BSL.

Are there other signs that express language differences?

Yes, signs like “different” and “similar” can help denote comparisons between languages.

What should I focus on when practicing this sign?

Pay attention to your facial expressions and ensure you’re using the correct hand movements to convey the meaning clearly.