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Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Sign of the Day
leave
The BSL sign for 'leave' uses a flat dominant hand, starting near the chest and moving straight forward. It signifies departure
A1 Very Common Verb British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Dominant hand flat, fingers together, thumb tucked alongside palm. Palm faces inward
Moves straight outward away from the body
Used for physical departure, leaving an object, or ending a relationship
Break It Down
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How to form the sign
- Form a flat B-hand with fingers together and thumb alongside
- Place hand near chest/shoulder, palm facing inward
- Move hand straight forward away from body
- End with palm facing forward
Coach prompt
Sign 'I want to leave now' | Sign 'Did you leave the keys?' | Sign 'They left early'
Signature details
Handshape
Dominant hand flat, fingers together, thumb tucked alongside palm. Palm faces inward · Code B-hand (flat)
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
N/A
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Initially inward towards chest, then forward
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
Often none, or a slight 'pah' for emphasis
Body shift
None
Use It Today
Move from recognition to real-life use
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I need to leave now
Can be inflected to show recipient or direction
Best fit: Used for physical departure, leaving an object, or ending a relationship
Mirror focus
Sign 'I want to leave now' | Sign 'Did you leave the keys?' | Sign 'They left early'
Catch the slip
Check palm orientation for outward movement. Ensure flat handshape, not curved
Use it today
I need to leave now
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'go' or 'go-away'; incorrect palm orientation
When not to use it: Do not use for 'leave behind' (different sign) or 'allow'
Regional note: Some minor regional variations in starting position or movement arc exist
Cultural note: Common in everyday communication for various contexts of departure
1.[en] I need to leave. / BSL:[ME MUST LEAVE]
2.[en] She left the party. / BSL:[SHE PARTY LEAVE]
3.[en] Please leave it there. / BSL:[PLEASE LEAVE-IT THERE]
When would a learner use the BSL sign for leave?
A learner would use this sign to express physical departure from a place, to indicate stopping an activity, or sometimes for leaving an object somewhere. It's a versatile sign for various contexts of exit or separation.
What do beginners often get wrong when signing leave in BSL?
Beginners often confuse 'leave' with 'go' or 'go away', which have different movements or handshapes. Incorrect palm orientation (e.g., facing down) or using a curved hand instead of a flat one are also common errors.
Does the BSL sign for leave change by region or context?
While the core handshape and movement are consistent, minor regional variations might occur in the exact starting point (chest vs. shoulder) or the arc of the movement. Contextually, non-manuals may vary for emphasis.
Is the BSL sign for leave suitable for beginners or children?
Yes, the BSL sign for 'leave' is simple and frequently used, making it highly suitable for beginners and children. Its clear handshape and linear movement are easy to learn and recognise.
Which sign is most often confused with leave in BSL?
The sign for 'GO' is frequently confused with 'leave'. 'GO' typically uses a G-hand or index finger pointing, moving away, whereas 'leave' uses a flat B-hand.
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Word web
Depart
exit
go away
Arrive
stay
remain
Gone
departure
exiting
Go
Arrive
Depart
Stay
Exit
The BSL sign for 'LEAVE' (flat B-hand, moves forward from chest) is distinct from 'GO' (often uses index finger pointing, moves away from body) and 'EXIT' (often two hands, forming an opening, then moving through). 'LEAVE' focuses on the act of departing, 'GO' on the direction, and 'EXIT' on passing through a specific point
Movement
departure
finish
abandon
Leave
depart
go
exit
BSL leave
Departure
movement
Come Back Tomorrow
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