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Thursday, March 13, 2025
Sign of the Day
cold
The BSL sign for 'cold' uses two tensed, slightly curled hands at chest height, moving slightly inward and shaking. This mimics the body's natural shivering response to cold temperatures
A1 Very Common Adjective British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Both hands form fists with fingers slightly curled and tensed
Hands move slightly inward, tensing and shaking repeatedly
Describing temperature of weather, objects, or a person's feeling
Break It Down
Watch, build, and feel the movement
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How to form the sign
- Form S-handshape with both hands, palms facing each other
- Place hands at chest level, slightly apart
- Tense hands and arms
- Move hands slightly inward while shaking them repeatedly
Coach prompt
Practice signing 'cold' with appropriate facial expressions and body language, mimicking a shiver
Signature details
Handshape
Both hands form fists with fingers slightly curled and tensed · Code S-hand
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Symmetric
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Palms face each other, slightly inward
Eyebrows
Furrowed
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
'brrr' mouth shape, tensed lips
Body shift
Slight shivering motion
Use It Today
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The weather is very cold today
Often accompanied by a noticeable shivering non-manual expression
Best fit: Describing temperature of weather, objects, or a person's feeling
Mirror focus
Practice signing 'cold' with appropriate facial expressions and body language, mimicking a shiver
Catch the slip
Ensure hands are tensed and shaking slightly inward, not just flapping. Add a 'brrr' mouth shape and furrowed brows
Use it today
The weather is very cold today
Common mistakes: Lack of hand tension, insufficient inward movement, missing non-manuals
When not to use it: To describe an 'unfriendly' personality (use 'unfriendly' sign)
Regional note: Minor variations in intensity or speed of shaking
Cultural note: Often exaggerated for emphasis in storytelling or expressing discomfort
1.[en] It's very cold outside. / BSL:[Sign COLD, strong NMS]
2.[en] I feel cold. / BSL:[Sign I FEEL COLD]
3.[en] The water is cold. / BSL:[Sign WATER COLD]
When would a learner use the BSL sign for cold?
Learners use this sign to describe low temperatures for weather, objects, or personal feelings. It's fundamental for daily communication about physical sensations and environment.
What do beginners often get wrong when signing cold in BSL?
Common mistakes include insufficient hand tension, lack of the inward shaking movement, or neglecting the crucial non-manual features like a shiver or furrowed brows, which convey intensity.
Does the BSL sign for cold change by region or context?
The core sign is widely consistent across the UK. Minor regional variations might exist in the intensity or speed of the shaking, but the fundamental handshape and movement remain the same.
Is the BSL sign for cold suitable for beginners or children?
Yes, it's an A1 level sign, very common and straightforward. Its iconic nature, mimicking shivering, makes it easy for both beginners and children to learn and understand.
Which sign is most often confused with cold in BSL?
It can sometimes be confused with 'shiver' if the shaking motion is overly exaggerated or performed without the specific inward movement. 'Winter' uses similar handshapes but a different, often downward, movement.
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Word web
Chilly
freezing
icy
Hot
warm
Winter
shiver
ice
temperature
Hot
Warm
Weather
Winter
Shiver
The sign for COLD, with its inward-shaking, tensed hands, is distinct from SHIVER. SHIVER typically involves more general body or arm shaking without the specific inward pull. It's also different from WINTER, which uses similar handshapes but often incorporates a broader, downward motion to signify the season, rather than the immediate sensation of low temperature
Weather
temperature
feeling
discomfort
Cold BSL
chilly sign
freezing BSL
weather
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