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Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Sign of the Day
timber
The BSL sign for 'timber' is a two-handed sign. The dominant G-hand repeatedly chops onto the non-dominant flat B-hand, which is held across the body. This action visually represents the felling or cutting of wood
B1 Uncommon Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Dominant G-hand chops onto non-dominant flat B-hand
Dominant G-hand chops repeatedly onto non-dominant B-hand
Used when discussing wood for construction, forestry, or felling trees
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 non-dominant flat B-hand, palm up/in
- Hold non-dominant hand across body, near waist/chest
- Form dominant G-hand (index extended, thumb alongside)
- Chop dominant G-hand repeatedly onto non-dominant B-hand
Coach prompt
Practice forming the G-hand and flat B-hand shapes. Focus on the repeated chopping movement
Signature details
Handshape
Dominant G-hand chops onto non-dominant flat B-hand · Code G, B
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Touch
Palm orientation
Non-dominant palm up/in; dominant palm down/towards non-dominant
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
None
Body shift
None
Use It Today
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We need more timber for the roof
This sign emphasizes the felling or processing aspect of wood
Best fit: Used when discussing wood for construction, forestry, or felling trees
Mirror focus
Practice forming the G-hand and flat B-hand shapes. Focus on the repeated chopping movement
Catch the slip
Ensure the dominant hand is a G-hand and the non-dominant is a flat B-hand, with a clear repeated chopping motion
Use it today
We need more timber for the roof
Common mistakes: Confusing with the generic sign for 'wood' or 'chop'
When not to use it: Avoid if referring to 'lumber' in the American English context without clarification
Regional note: None known
Cultural note: N/A
1.[en] We need to buy more timber. / BSL:[WE, NEED, BUY, MORE, TIMBER]
2.[en] The old house was built with strong timber. / BSL:[HOUSE, OLD, BUILT, STRONG, TIMBER]
3.[en] They harvest timber from the forest. / BSL:[THEY, HARVEST, TIMBER, FROM, FOREST]
What is the BSL sign for timber?
The BSL sign for 'timber' involves a dominant G-hand repeatedly chopping onto a non-dominant flat B-hand held across the body, near the waist or chest.
How do you sign timber in BSL?
Hold your non-dominant flat B-hand palm up across your body. With your dominant hand, form a G-hand (index finger extended). Chop the G-hand repeatedly onto the non-dominant B-hand.
Is timber one-handed or two-handed in BSL?
The BSL sign for 'timber' is a two-handed sign, using both the dominant G-hand and the non-dominant flat B-hand.
What handshape is used for timber in BSL?
The sign uses a dominant G-hand (index finger extended) and a non-dominant flat B-hand (palm flat, fingers together).
How does timber differ from similar signs in BSL?
'Timber' uses a specific chopping motion with a G-hand, distinct from 'WOOD' (often flat hands rubbing) which denotes the material generically. It's similar to 'CHOP' but specifically for wood/trees. 'TREE' depicts a trunk and branches, not the material itself.
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Word web
wood
lumber
logs
planks
N/A
wood
forest
tree
lumberjack
carpentry
wood
forest
tree
lumberjack
construction
material
The sign for 'timber' is distinct from 'WOOD' (the material), which often involves two flat B-hands rubbing together, focusing on texture. 'CHOP' can be similar but might be a single action or a different handshape depending on context. 'TREE' is usually one hand forming a trunk, then spreading fingers for branches, a vastly different concept and execution. 'Timber' specifically highlights the felling or processing of wood for use
building
construction
forestry
material
wood
timber BSL
BSL timber sign
wood material BSL
Construction
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