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Archive Replay
Monday, December 15, 2025
Sign of the Day
drill guide
This sign combines elements of 'drill' and 'guide'. The dominant G-hand, representing a drill bit, repeatedly 'enters' or 'points into' the non-dominant flat B-hand, which acts as the guide or surface, illustrating the tool's function of guiding a drill
B1 Uncommon Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Technical
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Dominant hand G-hand; non-dominant hand flat B-hand
Dominant G-hand repeatedly moves into non-dominant B-hand
When discussing tools, DIY, construction, or woodworking projects
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 flat B-hand, palm up/forward
- Form dominant G-hand, index finger extended
- Position G-hand above B-hand, pointing down
- Repeatedly move dominant G-hand into/towards non-dominant palm/fingers
Coach prompt
Practice signing 'drill guide' while visualizing its function
Signature details
Handshape
Dominant hand G-hand; non-dominant hand flat B-hand · Code Dominant: G, Non-dominant: B
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Touch
Palm orientation
Dominant G-hand points down; non-dominant B-hand palm faces up/forward
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
None
Body shift
None
Use It Today
Move from recognition to real-life use
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I need the drill guide for this project
Specific sign for the physical tool, not the action
Best fit: When discussing tools, DIY, construction, or woodworking projects
Mirror focus
Practice signing 'drill guide' while visualizing its function
Catch the slip
Ensure the G-hand repeatedly moves into the B-hand, not just tapping once
Use it today
I need the drill guide for this project
Common mistakes: Confusing with the general sign for 'drill' or 'guide'
When not to use it: Do not use for the verb 'to guide' or 'to drill'
Regional note: Unlikely for a technical tool sign
Cultural note: N/A
1.[en] Pass me the drill guide. / BSL:[Sign DRILL GUIDE]
2.[en] We need a drill guide for precision. / BSL:[Sign DRILL GUIDE PRECISE]
3.[en] This is a new drill guide. / BSL:[Sign NEW DRILL GUIDE]
What is the BSL sign for drill guide?
It's a two-handed sign. Dominant G-hand repeatedly moves into the non-dominant flat B-hand, representing the guiding action of the tool.
How do you sign drill guide in BSL?
Hold your non-dominant hand flat, palm up. Use your dominant G-hand to repeatedly 'poke' or move into the non-dominant palm/fingers, illustrating a drill bit being guided by the tool.
Is drill guide one-handed or two-handed in BSL?
The sign for 'drill guide' in BSL is two-handed. One hand acts as the guide (B-hand), the other as the drill bit (G-hand).
What handshape is used for drill guide in BSL?
The dominant hand uses a G-handshape (index finger extended). The non-dominant hand uses a flat B-handshape (palm flat, fingers together, like a surface).
How does drill guide differ from similar signs in BSL?
It's distinct from just 'DRILL' (often a twisting G-hand) or 'GUIDE' (can be directional, less specific handshapes). The specific combination of G-hand repeatedly moving into B-hand denotes this particular tool.
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Word web
Drill jig
drill template
N/A
Drill
guide
jig
tool
bit
Drill
Guide
Tool
Jig
Woodworking
Construction
DRILL (tool): Often uses a dominant G-hand with a twisting motion, either in the air or into a non-dominant hand, but without the repeated linear insertion. GUIDE (verb/noun): Can vary, often involving a dominant hand leading or directing, but typically lacks the specific G-hand/B-hand interaction and repeated linear movement unique to the 'drill guide' tool. JIG/FIXTURE: While functionally similar, the sign for 'drill guide' is specific to that tool; other jigs might have different signs or be fingerspelled if no established sign exists, reflecting their unique shapes or functions
Tool
construction
woodworking
DIY
precision
Drill guide BSL
drill jig sign
how to sign drill guide
Construction
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