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Sunday, August 31, 2025
Sign of the Day
interrupt
Flat hand mimics a sharp cutting action, symbolising breaking into a flow
B1 Common Verb British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Dominant hand, flat, fingers together, thumb alongside
Sharp, short, linear chopping motion
Used when someone cuts into a conversation or activity
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 flat hand, fingers together, thumb alongside
- Position palm facing down/slightly forward at chest height
- Perform a sharp, linear chopping movement downward/forward once
- Repeat if the interruption is sustained or repeated
Coach prompt
Practice the sharp, linear movement. Focus on palm down orientation
Signature details
Handshape
Dominant hand, flat, fingers together, thumb alongside · Code B-hand
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Palm down or slightly forward/down
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
Often mouthing 'chop' or 'pah' for suddenness
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.
He kept *interrupting* me
Sharp, decisive movement is key to conveying the meaning
Best fit: Used when someone cuts into a conversation or activity
Mirror focus
Practice the sharp, linear movement. Focus on palm down orientation
Catch the slip
Ensure hand is flat, fingers together, thumb alongside. Make movement decisive
Use it today
He kept *interrupting* me
Common mistakes: Not sharp enough motion, incorrect handshape
When not to use it: Not for politely asking to speak; use 'excuse me'
Regional note: Minimal, core concept widely understood
Cultural note: Directness is common, but interrupting is generally considered rude
1.[en] Don't interrupt me. / BSL:[sharp chop]
2.[en] Sorry to interrupt. / BSL:[small chop]
3.[en] He always interrupts. / BSL:[repeated chop]
When would a learner use the BSL sign for interrupt?
Use when someone breaks into a conversation, speech, or activity. It conveys stopping an ongoing action or dialogue suddenly.
What do beginners often get wrong when signing interrupt in BSL?
Common mistakes include not making the movement sharp and decisive enough, or using an incorrect handshape. The flat hand and sudden chop are crucial.
Does the BSL sign for interrupt change by region or context?
The core sign is widely understood across the UK with minimal regional variation. Context might affect the size or intensity of the chop.
Is the BSL sign for interrupt suitable for beginners or children?
Yes, it's a relatively straightforward and commonly used sign. Children can easily grasp the concept of 'cutting in' with a simple chop.
Which sign is most often confused with interrupt in BSL?
It can be confused with 'STOP' (dominant flat hand hitting non-dominant flat hand) or 'BREAK' (hands breaking something). The key difference is the single, linear chopping motion in 'interrupt'.
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Word web
Distract
stop
cut in
Continue
allow
listen
Break
pause
intervene
stop
pause
stop
continue
talk
conversation
Compare with 'STOP' (dominant flat hand hitting non-dominant flat hand) and 'BREAK' (two hands, breaking a stick). 'Interrupt' is a one-handed, sharp, linear chopping motion in the air, not contacting another hand or mimicking breaking a physical object. It conveys a sudden cessation of an action or speech
Conversation
meeting
discussion
break
Stop
cut in
intervene
break in
halt
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