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Archive Replay
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
Sign of the Day
swing door
Sign depicts the two-way opening motion of a swing door
B1 Uncommon Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Both hands form flat B-handshapes
Hands move outward in a symmetrical arc
Describing a specific type of door, often in public places
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 both hands into flat B-handshapes, palms facing each other
- Place hands together in front of chest, fingertips pointing up
- Move hands outward in a simultaneous, mirrored arc, like doors opening
- Return hands to the starting position briefly
- Repeat the outward arc motion once
Coach prompt
Practice signing 'swing door' in simple sentences
Signature details
Handshape
Both hands form flat B-handshapes · Code B
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Symmetric
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Palms face each other, then outward
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
None specific
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 old pub had a heavy swing door
Specifies the bi-directional, arcing mechanism of a door
Best fit: Describing a specific type of door, often in public places
Mirror focus
Practice signing 'swing door' in simple sentences
Catch the slip
Ensure both hands maintain B-handshape and arc outward symmetrically
Use it today
The old pub had a heavy swing door
Common mistakes: Confusing with general 'door' or 'opening' signs
When not to use it: For standard hinged, sliding, or revolving doors
Regional note: Minimal
Cultural note: N/A
1.[en] The café has a swing door. / BSL:[sign for cafe] [sign for has] [sign for swing door]
2.[en] Be careful with the swing door. / BSL:[sign for careful] [sign for swing door]
3.[en] It's a heavy swing door. / BSL:[sign for heavy] [sign for swing door]
What is the BSL sign for swing door?
It's a two-handed sign where both flat B-hands simulate doors opening outwards in an arc.
How do you sign swing door in BSL?
Start with flat B-hands together, palms facing, then sweep them outwards in an arc simultaneously, returning briefly, and repeating the arc.
Is swing door one-handed or two-handed in BSL?
It is a two-handed sign, using both hands symmetrically to represent the two panels of a swing door.
What handshape is used for swing door in BSL?
The sign uses a flat B-handshape for both hands, representing the flat surfaces of the door panels.
How does swing door differ from similar signs in BSL?
Unlike the general 'DOOR' (often one hand opening), 'SWING DOOR' uses two hands moving symmetrically in an arc. It differs from 'AUTOMATIC DOOR' which might show hands sliding sideways.
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Word web
Saloon door
double-action door
Sliding door
revolving door
bifold door
Door
entrance
exit
hinge
push
pull
Door
Entrance
Exit
Open
Hinge
DOOR (general): Often one flat B-hand, palm facing forward, pivoting on the pinky-edge outwards from the body. 'SWING DOOR' uses two hands and a symmetrical arc. OPEN (verb): Can vary, but for a door, it might be similar to the general 'DOOR' sign, but often with a more emphatic single opening motion. 'SWING DOOR' specifically depicts the type of door. AUTOMATIC DOOR: Two flat B-hands held near each other, then slide horizontally outwards, mimicking doors sliding open. This contrasts with the arc motion of 'SWING DOOR'
Architecture
building
entry
exit
BSL swing door
door sign BSL
how to sign swing door
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