Daily focus
Archive Replay
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Sign of the Day
gutter
Sign uses a flat hand to trace the path of a gutter, indicating its shape and direction
B1 Uncommon Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
Today’s Snapshot
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Flat hand, fingers together, thumb tucked
Horizontal linear movement, slight downward slope, moving forward
Describing architectural features, street drainage, or metaphorical 'gutter'
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 flat B-hand (fingers extended, together, thumb tucked)
- Place hand palm-down at side of head/shoulder level
- Move hand forward with a slight downward slope
- This path represents the gutter's channel
Coach prompt
Practice signing 'gutter' while mouthing the word
Signature details
Handshape
Flat hand, fingers together, thumb tucked · Code B5
Dominant hand
Right
Symmetry
N/A
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Palm Down
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
Mouthing 'gutter'
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 water flowed into the gutter
Can be used for roof gutters or street gutters
Best fit: Describing architectural features, street drainage, or metaphorical 'gutter'
Mirror focus
Practice signing 'gutter' while mouthing the word
Catch the slip
Ensure handshape is flat B, movement is a distinct downward slope forward
Use it today
The water flowed into the gutter
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'road' or other flat surface signs
When not to use it: When referring to general 'drainage' or 'pipe' without the specific gutter shape
Regional note: Minor variations possible
Cultural note: N/A
1.[en] The roof gutter is broken. / BSL:[sign GUTTER, then BROKEN]
2.[en] Water flows down the street gutter. / BSL:[sign WATER, then STREET, then GUTTER]
3.[en] Clear the leaves from the gutter. / BSL:[sign CLEAR, then LEAVES, then GUTTER]
What is the BSL sign for gutter?
The BSL sign for 'gutter' uses a flat hand (fingers together, thumb tucked) moving horizontally forward with a slight downward slope, usually starting near the head or shoulder.
How do you sign gutter in BSL?
Form a flat B-hand with your dominant hand, palm down. Start at the side of your head/shoulder and move it forward in a horizontal, slightly downward sloped line, mimicking a channel.
Is gutter one-handed or two-handed in BSL?
The sign for 'gutter' in BSL is typically a one-handed sign, performed with the dominant hand.
What handshape is used for gutter in BSL?
The handshape used for 'gutter' is a flat hand, also known as a B-hand, with all fingers extended and together, and the thumb tucked alongside.
How does gutter differ from similar signs in BSL?
'Gutter' uses a flat B-hand moving forward with a downward slope. It differs from 'road' (flat hands side-by-side, moving forward) or 'path' (similar movement but often different handshape or broader movement). Its specific location and downward slope are key.
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Word web
Drain
channel
conduit
trench
N/A
Rain
water
roof
street
drain
pipe
Roof
Drain
Water
Street
Channel
ROAD: Uses two flat B-hands side-by-side, palms down, moving forward. 'Gutter' is one-handed, often more specific in its path/slope. PATH: Can use a flat B-hand or open B-hand, moving forward. 'Gutter' has a distinct downward slope and is typically narrower in concept. CHANNEL/DRAIN: May use similar flat handshapes but often with a wider, more generic 'flow' movement, whereas 'gutter' is a specific architectural feature
Architecture
urban planning
plumbing
weather
Gutter BSL
sign for gutter
British Sign Language gutter
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