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Archive Replay
Friday, October 3, 2025
Sign of the Day
spade
The BSL sign for "spade" iconically represents the tool's function. The dominant flat hand acts as the spade's blade, pushing into and scooping earth from the non-dominant flat hand, which symbolizes the ground. This visual depiction makes the sign clear
A1 Common Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Dominant hand: flat B-hand. Non-dominant hand: flat B-hand, palm up
Dominant hand pushes down onto non-dominant palm, then scoops up slightly
Used when referring to the gardening tool, its action, or related tasks
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 B-hand with dominant hand, palm down
- Form B-hand with non-dominant hand, palm up
- Place dominant hand above non-dominant
- Push dominant hand down onto non-dominant palm
- Scoop dominant hand upwards slightly
Coach prompt
Practice signing the flat hand pushing down and scooping up, ensuring clear contact
Signature details
Handshape
Dominant hand: flat B-hand. Non-dominant hand: flat B-hand, palm up · Code B
Dominant hand
Right
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Touch
Palm orientation
Dominant: Palm down/forward, then slightly up. Non-dominant: Palm 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 need a spade for digging in the garden
The movement can be adapted to indicate the specific action of digging
Best fit: Used when referring to the gardening tool, its action, or related tasks
Mirror focus
Practice signing the flat hand pushing down and scooping up, ensuring clear contact
Catch the slip
Ensure the dominant hand acts as the blade, making clear contact with the non-dominant hand, which represents the ground
Use it today
I need a spade for digging in the garden
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'shovel' or the general sign for 'dig'
When not to use it: Do not use for the playing card 'spades' or the derogatory term
Regional note: Minor variations in movement or precise hand placement exist
Cultural note: Gardening is a common activity in British culture
1.[en] I need a spade. / BSL:[I NEED SPADE]
2.[en] Dig with a spade. / BSL:[DIG USING SPADE]
3.[en] He bought a new spade. / BSL:[HE BUY NEW SPADE]
What is the BSL sign for spade?
The BSL sign for 'spade' uses the dominant B-hand to represent the blade, pushing into the non-dominant B-hand, which acts as the ground, then scooping.
How do you sign spade in BSL?
Form a flat B-hand with your dominant hand, palm down. Form another flat B-hand with your non-dominant hand, palm up. Push the dominant hand down onto the non-dominant palm, then scoop it slightly upwards.
Is spade one-handed or two-handed in BSL?
The sign for 'spade' in BSL is a two-handed sign. Both hands are actively involved in depicting the tool and its action.
What handshape is used for spade in BSL?
Both the dominant and non-dominant hands primarily use the B-handshape, which is a flat hand with all fingers extended and held together.
How does spade differ from similar signs in BSL?
'Spade' often has a distinct pushing-then-scooping motion specific to the tool. 'Shovel' might involve a wider scoop. 'Dig' can be more general, repeated, or without specific tool depiction. 'Trowel' uses a smaller handshape and motion.
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Word web
Shovel
digging tool
N/A
Dig
garden
earth
soil
tool
Dig
Garden
Tool
Shovel
Earth
Plant
The BSL sign for 'spade' involves a dominant B-hand pushing down into a non-dominant B-hand and scooping. 'Shovel' (often signed similarly) might use a broader or larger scooping motion, sometimes with both hands mimicking holding a longer handle. 'Dig' can be a more general, repeated downward motion, often one-handed or without specifying a tool. 'Trowel' typically uses a smaller handshape (e.g., F-hand) and a more delicate scooping action to denote a smaller tool
Gardening
tools
outdoors
digging
Spade BSL
gardening tool sign
dig sign
shovel BSL
Tools
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