Daily focus
Archive Replay
Monday, October 6, 2025
Sign of the Day
deaf
Sign for 'deaf' involves tracing a path from the ear to the mouth with an extended index finger, representing the auditory and oral aspects of communication
A1 Very Common Adjective British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
Today’s Snapshot
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Index finger extended, other fingers curled
Touch ear, then touch mouth
Describing someone's hearing status or identity
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 G-handshape with dominant hand, index finger extended.
- Touch the tip of your index finger to your ear.
- Move your index finger in a straight line to touch your mouth.
- Mouth "deaf" while signing
Coach prompt
Sign 'My friend is deaf.' in BSL
Signature details
Handshape
Index finger extended, other fingers curled · Code G-handshape
Dominant hand
Right
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Touch
Palm orientation
Palm facing signer or slightly sideways
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
Often mouth 'deaf'
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.
My friend is deaf
Often accompanied by mouthing 'deaf' for clarity. Can be used as a noun
Best fit: Describing someone's hearing status or identity
Mirror focus
Sign 'My friend is deaf.' in BSL
Catch the slip
Ensure your index finger touches the ear then the mouth clearly. Maintain G-handshape
Use it today
My friend is deaf
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'hearing', incorrect handshape, missing mouth pattern
When not to use it: If someone prefers a different term, e.g., 'hard of hearing'
Regional note: Some minor variations exist but core movement is consistent
Cultural note: Capital D 'Deaf' refers to cultural identity, not just audiological status
Sensitivity: Mildly Sensitive
1.He is deaf. / BSL:HE DEAF
2.Are you deaf? / BSL:YOU DEAF?
3.I am deaf. / BSL:I DEAF
When would a learner use the BSL sign for deaf?
Learners use this sign to describe a person's hearing status, identify themselves as deaf, or refer to the Deaf community. It's a fundamental vocabulary item.
What do beginners often get wrong when signing deaf in BSL?
Common mistakes include missing the clear contact points at the ear and mouth, using an incorrect handshape (e.g., a 'D' handshape), or omitting the natural mouth pattern 'deaf'.
Does the BSL sign for deaf change by region or context?
The core sign for 'deaf' is largely consistent across the UK. Minor regional variations in execution might exist, but the fundamental ear-to-mouth movement remains standard.
Is the BSL sign for deaf suitable for beginners or children?
Yes, it's one of the first signs taught and is suitable for all ages. It's an A1 CEFR level sign, fundamental for basic communication about identity.
Which sign is most often confused with deaf in BSL?
It can sometimes be confused with 'hearing' (index finger starts at mouth, moves to ear). The direction of movement is opposite, so pay close attention.
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Word web
Hard of hearing
hearing impaired
Hearing
Hearing
BSL
lip-reading
D/deaf
Hearing
BSL
community
learn
sign
The sign for DEAF moves from the ear to the mouth. Conversely, the sign for HEARING moves from the mouth to the ear, often with a slight circling motion. Another related sign is HARD-OF-HEARING, which typically involves an 'H' handshape moving from the ear forward or in a small arc, distinguishing it from the direct path of DEAF
Identity
community
disability
medical
Deaf
hearing impaired
BSL
sign language
hearing loss
identity
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Video credit: The demonstration video on this page is credited to SpreadTheSign. The video remains the property of the original rightholder.
All written explanations, learning notes, examples, comparisons, and page design on this page are SignDeaf educational material.