Daily focus
Archive Replay
Tuesday, June 17, 2025
Sign of the Day
channel
The BSL sign for 'channel' uses two hands. The dominant C-hand taps the non-dominant flat palm. It represents a conduit or a broadcast medium
B1 Common Noun 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.
Dominant hand forms a C-shape. Non-dominant hand is flat, palm up
Dominant C-hand taps non-dominant flat palm repeatedly
Used for television/radio channels, or physical water channels
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 dominant C-hand
- Form non-dominant flat hand, palm up, at mid-body
- Tap dominant C-hand repeatedly onto non-dominant palm
Coach prompt
Practice forming the C-hand and flat hand, then tapping. Focus on clear, repeated contact
Signature details
Handshape
Dominant hand forms a C-shape. Non-dominant hand is flat, palm up · Code Dominant C, Non-dominant B
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Tap
Palm orientation
Dominant C-hand faces down towards non-dominant palm. Non-dominant palm faces up
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
None
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.
I watched a documentary on that channel
Context clarifies whether it's a TV channel or a waterway
Best fit: Used for television/radio channels, or physical water channels
Mirror focus
Practice forming the C-hand and flat hand, then tapping. Focus on clear, repeated contact
Catch the slip
Ensure the C-hand is clearly formed and taps the palm, not slides or brushes. Maintain clear distinction between the two handshapes
Use it today
I watched a documentary on that channel
Common mistakes: Confusing with signs for 'book' or 'river' if not precise
When not to use it: Not typically for a garment's drawstring channel
Regional note: Minor variations in speed or number of taps
Cultural note: TV is a major part of UK culture
1. [en] What channel is that? / BSL:[Point, CHANNEL, WHICH?]
2. [en] The boat went down the channel. / BSL:[BOAT, GO, DOWN, CHANNEL]
3. [en] Switch to another channel. / BSL:[SWITCH, ANOTHER, CHANNEL]
What is the BSL sign for channel?
The BSL sign for 'channel' involves the dominant C-hand repeatedly tapping the non-dominant flat palm, typically at mid-body height. It can refer to a TV channel or a water channel.
How do you sign channel in BSL?
Hold your non-dominant hand flat, palm up, at mid-body. Form a C-shape with your dominant hand and repeatedly tap it onto the palm of your non-dominant hand.
Is channel one-handed or two-handed in BSL?
The BSL sign for 'channel' is a two-handed sign, using both a dominant C-hand and a non-dominant flat hand.
What handshape is used for channel in BSL?
The dominant hand uses a C-handshape, and the non-dominant hand uses a flat (B) handshape for the BSL sign 'channel'.
How does channel differ from similar signs in BSL?
It differs from 'book' (two flat hands closing), 'river' (two '5' hands moving forward wavy), and 'stream' (smaller, quicker movement similar to 'river'). The specific C-hand tapping motion is key.
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
River
duct
conduit
broadcast
Waterway
broadcast
frequency
medium
Television
River
Communication
Broadcast
Waterway
Media
BOOK: Uses two flat hands that come together like a book closing. 'Channel' uses a C-hand tapping a flat palm, not closing. RIVER: Typically involves two '5' handshapes moving forward in a wavy, flowing motion. 'Channel' uses distinct C and flat handshapes with a tapping movement. STREAM: Similar to 'river' but often smaller or quicker movement, still with '5' or 'S' handshapes flowing. 'Channel' is differentiated by its specific handshapes and tapping contact
Media
water
communication
broadcast
BSL channel
sign for channel
channel sign language
how to sign channel BSL
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.