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Archive Replay
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
Sign of the Day
construct
The BSL sign for 'construct' uses two flat hands moving upwards and outwards, often alternating, to depict the building up of something
B1 Common Verb British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
Today’s Snapshot
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Both hands flat, fingers together, thumb tucked or alongside
Hands move upwards and slightly outwards, often alternating or simultaneously
Discussing building, creating ideas, forming arguments, developing structures
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 variant with both hands (flat, fingers together, thumb tucked)
- Position hands facing each other at mid-chest height
- Move hands upwards and slightly outwards, palms rotating slightly upwards
- Repeat the movement, often alternating or simultaneously, to show building
Coach prompt
Practice the flat handshape and the upward, outward alternating movement
Signature details
Handshape
Both hands flat, fingers together, thumb tucked or alongside · Code Flat-B
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Symmetric
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Palms face each other, then slightly upwards/forwards
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
Neutral mouth, optional mouthing 'construct'
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.
WE CONSTRUCT-HOUSE NEW
Can imply both physical building and conceptual formation or development
Best fit: Discussing building, creating ideas, forming arguments, developing structures
Mirror focus
Practice the flat handshape and the upward, outward alternating movement
Catch the slip
Ensure hands are flat, fingers together, and movement is clear and upward-outward
Use it today
WE CONSTRUCT-HOUSE NEW
Common mistakes: Incorrect handshape (not flat) or unclear, small movements
When not to use it: When referring to destruction, dismantling, or abstract creation without building up
Regional note: Minor variations in movement path or speed, core form consistent
Cultural note: Common in educational and professional discussions of projects
1.[en] We will construct a new building. / BSL:[WE WILL CONSTRUCT BUILDING NEW]
2.[en] Construct a plan. / BSL:[CONSTRUCT PLAN]
3.[en] How do you construct that? / BSL:[HOW CONSTRUCT THAT?]
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Word web
Build
create
make
erect
form
Demolish
destroy
dismantle
Building
structure
architecture
design
development
Build
create
design
MAKE: Uses similar flat hands, but often brings hands together. 'Construct' specifically implies building upwards. BUILDING (noun): Often uses a similar upward movement but might incorporate a roof shape. 'Construct' is the verb action. CREATE: Can use various handshapes and movements, often more abstract or less structured formation
Architecture
engineering
planning
development
creation
Build
create
make
erect
form
develop
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