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Monday, September 8, 2025
Sign of the Day
pressure
The BSL sign for "pressure" visually represents applying force. A flattened O-hand (dominant) presses firmly into an open B-hand (non-dominant), conveying physical or abstract pressure and intensity
B1 Common Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Dominant hand: flattened O-hand (thumb and fingertips touching). Non-dominant hand: open B-hand, palm up
Dominant hand presses firmly downwards
Discussing physical force, stress, or influence
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 open B-hand, palm up
- Form dominant flattened O-hand
- Place dominant hand above non-dominant palm
- Press dominant hand firmly downwards into non-dominant palm
Coach prompt
Practice the firm, downward movement. Ensure handshapes are distinct. Focus on conveying intensity
Signature details
Handshape
Dominant hand: flattened O-hand (thumb and fingertips touching). Non-dominant hand: open B-hand, palm up · Code D: S5, ND: B
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Touch
Palm orientation
Dominant: downwards. Non-dominant: upwards
Eyebrows
Furrowed
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
Often a subtle 'puh' or 'mm' conveying effort
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.
[en] The pressure was too much. / BSL:[PRESSURE TOO MUCH]
Can represent both physical and metaphorical pressure or stress
Best fit: Discussing physical force, stress, or influence
Mirror focus
Practice the firm, downward movement. Ensure handshapes are distinct. Focus on conveying intensity
Catch the slip
Ensure the dominant hand maintains a clear flattened O-shape. The non-dominant palm should be open and stable. The movement must be a firm, deliberate press
Use it today
[en] The pressure was too much. / BSL:[PRESSURE TOO MUCH]
Common mistakes: Not using enough force or firmness; incorrect handshapes
When not to use it: When referring to 'blood pressure' (often fingerspelled or specific sign)
Regional note: Minimal
Cultural note: N/A
1.[en] Too much pressure. / BSL:[TOO MUCH PRESSURE]
2.[en] Under pressure. / BSL:[UNDER PRESSURE]
3.[en] High pressure area. / BSL:[HIGH PRESSURE AREA]
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Word web
Stress
Force
Burden
Release
Ease
Relief
Weight
Difficult
Push
Load
Stress
Heavy
Difficult
Force
Burden
The sign for PRESSURE is similar to HEAVY, but PRESSURE involves a more direct, firm, and often sustained downward press, implying active application of force or stress. HEAVY typically conveys passive weight. BURDEN might use similar handshapes but often involves placing something 'on' the shoulder or back, signifying a load
Physics
Stress
Mental Health
Burden
Force
Pressure BSL
stress sign
force sign
burden sign
pressure in BSL
burden
force
physics
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