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Friday, January 24, 2025
Sign of the Day
finish
The BSL sign for 'finish' uses two flat hands sweeping down and inwards, often with a 'puh' mouth pattern, to convey completion
A1 Very Common Verb British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Both hands open, flat, fingers together, palms facing each other
Hands sweep downwards and inwards to meet or cross
Expressing completion of tasks, events, or conversations
Break It Down
Watch, build, and feel the movement
Use the numbered steps first, then check the sign anatomy cards to clean up the small details that make the sign look fluent instead of approximate.
How to form the sign
- Form B-hands (flat hands, fingers together)
- Position hands open, palms facing each other, near mid-chest
- Sweep both hands downwards and inwards
- Allow hands to meet or cross at stomach level
- Add a 'puh' mouth pattern
Coach prompt
Practice signing 'finish' clearly with appropriate non-manual features
Signature details
Handshape
Both hands open, flat, fingers together, palms facing each other · Code B-hand (flat)
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Symmetric
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Palms facing each other
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
Nod (yes)
Mouth morpheme
Puh/Pfff
Body shift
None
Use It Today
Move from recognition to real-life use
Everything below is designed to make the sign sticky: where it feels natural, what learners miss, and how to use it without sounding robotic.
We finish work at five
Can be strong or gentle depending on context and NMF
Best fit: Expressing completion of tasks, events, or conversations
Mirror focus
Practice signing 'finish' clearly with appropriate non-manual features
Catch the slip
Ensure hands are flat, fingers together, and meet or cross cleanly
Use it today
We finish work at five
Common mistakes: Incorrect handshape or not crossing/meeting hands
When not to use it: For 'finish' as in 'polish' or 'refine'
Regional note: Minimal (Core sign is very consistent)
Cultural note: A fundamental concept in communication
1.[en] I finished my homework. / BSL:[Sign FINISH]
2.[en] The meeting is finished. / BSL:[Sign FINISH]
3.[en] Are you finished? / BSL:[Sign FINISH with question NMF]
When would a learner use the BSL sign for finish?
Learners use 'finish' to express completion of tasks, events, or conversations, such as 'I have finished work' or 'The food is finished.'
What do beginners often get wrong when signing finish in BSL?
Beginners sometimes forget to use both hands symmetrically, or don't sweep the hands down and inwards sufficiently, making the movement unclear or incomplete.
Does the BSL sign for finish change by region or context?
The core BSL sign for 'finish' is remarkably consistent across regions in the UK. Context may affect non-manual features (e.g., emphasis), but the handshape and movement remain stable.
Is the BSL sign for finish suitable for beginners or children?
Yes, 'finish' is a fundamental and frequently used sign, making it highly suitable for beginners and children learning BSL as it expresses a common concept.
Which sign is most often confused with finish in BSL?
It can be confused with 'stop' or 'all done.' While similar in concept, 'stop' typically involves a single dominant hand hitting the non-dominant hand. 'All done' often has a more emphatic 'wipe' or 'empty' motion.
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Word web
Complete
done
over
Start
begin
commence
End
done
over
stop
complete
complete
end
done
stop
ready
The sign for 'finish' involves both flat hands sweeping down and inwards to meet or cross. This differs from 'stop,' which often uses one dominant flat hand striking the non-dominant palm, or 'all done,' which sometimes features hands sweeping outwards, implying nothing left. 'Finish' emphasizes completion; 'stop' cessation; 'all done' emptiness
Completion
end
done
task
activity
BSL finish
complete
over
Task
Come Back Tomorrow
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