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Friday, July 18, 2025
Sign of the Day
sweep
The BSL sign for "sweep" uses a flat hand moving repeatedly in an arc, mimicking the action of a broom. Non-manuals like a forward lean often accompany it
A2 Common Verb British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Dominant hand flat, fingers together, thumb tucked or alongside
Repetitive arc-like motion, moving across a conceptual surface
Used for cleaning floors, surfaces, or metaphorical sweeping away
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 B-hand (flat hand) with fingers together, palm down
- Position hand near lower torso, as if holding a broom
- Move hand outward in a short, repeated arc
- Repeat the motion several times to indicate sweeping
Coach prompt
Try signing "sweep" while varying the speed and size of the movement
Signature details
Handshape
Dominant hand flat, fingers together, thumb tucked or alongside · Code B
Dominant hand
Right
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Downwards, towards the 'surface' being swept
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Down
Head movement
Slight forward nod
Mouth morpheme
'pfft' for quick sweep, 'cha' for thoroughness
Body shift
Slight lean forward
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 will sweep the kitchen floor
Can be adapted to show different types of sweeping (e.g., small dust, large area)
Best fit: Used for cleaning floors, surfaces, or metaphorical sweeping away
Mirror focus
Try signing "sweep" while varying the speed and size of the movement
Catch the slip
Ensure your handshape is flat and the movement is a clear, repeated arc, mimicking a broom
Use it today
I will sweep the kitchen floor
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'wipe' or 'clean' if not specific to the sweeping motion
When not to use it: Not for cleaning hands or wiping spills without a sweeping action
Regional note: Minor variations in specific movement path or repetition
Cultural note: Often accompanied by non-manual features to convey effort or speed
1.[en] I need to sweep the floor. / BSL:[Sign I NEED SWEEP FLOOR]
2.[en] Sweep the crumbs away. / BSL:[Sign SWEEP CRUMBS AWAY]
3.[en] He swept the dirt. / BSL:[Sign HE SWEEP DIRT]
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Word web
brush
clean (floor)
clear away
dirty
mess
broom
dust
floor
tidy
broom
dust
floor
clean
tidy
rubbish
CLEAN: Uses a similar B-hand or A-hand, but often involves a circular or scrubbing motion, typically at chest height or on the opposite palm. "Sweep" specifically implies a broom-like action across a surface, usually lower down, with a distinct repeated arc.
WIPE: Often uses a flat hand, but usually a single, directional stroke across a surface, often indicating wiping a spill or a surface with a cloth. "Sweep" has a repeated, broader, push-away motion.
BRUSH (hair/clothes): Uses a slightly curved B-hand or 5-hand, moving downwards on the hair or body. "Sweep" is typically for floors/surfaces, with a more horizontal/outward motion
cleaning
household
action
metaphor
sweep
broom
clean
floor
tidying
Action
Household
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