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Saturday, March 22, 2025
Sign of the Day
crane
The BSL sign for 'crane' represents the machine used in construction. It uses a bent 5-hand to mimic the crane's arm extending
B1 Common Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
Today’s Snapshot
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Dominant hand forms a bent 5-hand
Hand moves up and then extends outwards
When discussing construction, machinery, or heavy lifting
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 a bent 5-hand with dominant hand
- Position hand in neutral space, palm forward
- Move hand slightly up
- Then extend hand outwards in a clear motion
Coach prompt
Practice signing 'crane' smoothly, ensuring the handshape and movement are clear
Signature details
Handshape
Dominant hand forms a bent 5-hand · Code Bent 5
Dominant hand
Right
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Forward
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
Mouth 'crane'
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.
The new building needs a crane for the steel beams
This sign specifically refers to the mechanical lifting device
Best fit: When discussing construction, machinery, or heavy lifting
Mirror focus
Practice signing 'crane' smoothly, ensuring the handshape and movement are clear
Catch the slip
Maintain a clear bent 5-hand and ensure the movement is distinct: up, then outwards
Use it today
The new building needs a crane for the steel beams
Common mistakes: Confusing with signs for 'lift' (verb) or the bird 'crane'
When not to use it: When referring to the bird 'crane' (different sign)
Regional note: Minor handshape variations exist
Cultural note: No specific cultural notes for this machine sign
1.[en] I saw a crane. / BSL:[You saw machine sign CRANE.]
2.[en] The crane is big. / BSL:[CRANE big.]
3.[en] Use the crane. / BSL:[Use CRANE.]
What is the BSL sign for crane?
The BSL sign for 'crane' (the machine) involves the dominant hand forming a bent 5-hand, moving up slightly, then extending outwards in neutral space. It mimics the crane's arm.
How do you sign crane in BSL?
To sign 'crane,' form a bent 5-hand with your dominant hand, palm forward. Start in neutral space, move your hand slightly up, then extend it outwards, representing the crane's arm reaching.
Is crane one-handed or two-handed in BSL?
The BSL sign for 'crane' (the machine) is typically a one-handed sign, performed with the dominant hand. It does not require the use of the non-dominant hand.
What handshape is used for crane in BSL?
The handshape used for the BSL sign 'crane' is a bent 5-hand. All fingers are bent at the knuckles, resembling a claw or hook, with the palm facing forward.
How does crane differ from similar signs in BSL?
The BSL sign for 'crane' (machine) differs from 'LIFT' (verb), which often uses two flat hands moving up. It's also distinct from the sign for the bird 'CRANE', which typically uses a G-hand near the nose.
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Word web
Lifting machine
hoist
derrick
Construction
building
heavy
lift
Construction
Lift
Building
Machine
Heavy
Engineer
The BSL sign for 'crane' (machine) uses a bent 5-hand moving up then outwards. This differs from the verb 'LIFT', which often uses two B-hands moving upwards from a lower position. It's also distinct from the sign for 'MACHINE', which can involve interlocking or rotating S-hands or bent B-hands to show gears or moving parts. The 'crane' sign specifically mimics the extending arm of the construction vehicle
Construction
machinery
engineering
building
BSL crane machine
sign for crane
construction machine
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