Daily focus
Archive Replay
Sunday, April 13, 2025
Sign of the Day
return
This BSL sign uses the index finger to indicate movement back. The direction of movement signifies returning to a place or person, or giving something back
A2 Common Verb British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
Today’s Snapshot
The meta fields are doing real work here
This page turns your sign metadata into a fast, readable fingerprint of how the sign looks, feels, and fits into real conversation.
Index finger extended, other fingers curled into palm
Dominant hand moves back towards the signer's body or a previous location
Used for physical return to a place or person, or for returning objects
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 G-hand (index finger extended)
- Position hand in neutral space, mid-chest height
- Palm faces towards body or slightly down/forward
- Move hand smoothly back towards the signer's body
Coach prompt
Practice signing 'return' in sentences like 'I must return the keys' or 'When will you return?'
Signature details
Handshape
Index finger extended, other fingers curled into palm · Code 1-hand (Index finger extended)
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
N/A
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Towards signer or slightly downwards
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
None
Body shift
No
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.
I need to return home
Directionality can be modified by moving the sign towards or from a location
Best fit: Used for physical return to a place or person, or for returning objects
Mirror focus
Practice signing 'return' in sentences like 'I must return the keys' or 'When will you return?'
Catch the slip
Ensure the index finger is extended and the movement is clearly backwards, towards the signer or a specified location
Use it today
I need to return home
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'come' or 'go' if directionality is unclear
When not to use it: For abstract concepts like 'return on investment' (different sign)
Regional note: Minor variations exist, but core movement is consistent
Cultural note: Directionality is key; sign movement often indicates destination or origin
1.[en] I'll return tomorrow. / BSL:[I, RETURN, TOMORROW]
2.[en] Return the book. / BSL:[BOOK, RETURN (directional)]
3.[en] She returned home. / BSL:[SHE, HOME, RETURN]
Connect the Dots
Turn one sign into a small learning cluster
These links use your relationship fields, related vocabulary, and category context so the daily page becomes a launchpad instead of a dead end.
Word web
Come back
Go back
Revert
Retreat
Go
Leave
Depart
Come
Go
Arrive
Leave
Again
Come
Go
Back
Again
COME: Uses similar handshape but moves towards the signer from an external point, often repeated. RETURN is generally a single, more deliberate backward movement. GO: Uses similar handshape but moves away from the signer. RETURN moves towards the signer or a previous point. AGAIN: Uses the same G-hand but typically taps the non-dominant hand or moves in a small arc in neutral space, often repeated. RETURN is a clear linear or arcing movement backward
Travel
Movement
Action
Transaction
Come back
Go back
Back
Home
Give back
movement
Come Back Tomorrow
Build a rhythm around one sign a day
The archive rail lets people revisit recent daily picks, while the teaser card gives a reason to return instead of drifting away after one lesson.
Video credit: The demonstration video on this page is credited to SpreadTheSign. The video remains the property of the original rightholder.
All written explanations, learning notes, examples, comparisons, and page design on this page are SignDeaf educational material.