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Archive Replay
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Sign of the Day
plan
The BSL sign for 'plan' uses two flat hands moving forward from the chest, signifying laying out future intentions
A2 Common Verb British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
Today’s Snapshot
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Both hands are flat (B-hand), fingers together, thumb tucked
Both hands move forward and slightly down in parallel
Discussing future actions, intentions, or arrangements
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-hands, fingers together, thumb tucked
- Place hands near chest/waist, palms slightly down
- Move both hands forward in parallel, slightly down
- Finish with hands extended forward
Coach prompt
Try signing 'plan' while thinking about your next task
Signature details
Handshape
Both hands are flat (B-hand), fingers together, thumb tucked · Code B
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Symmetric
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Palms face slightly down or forward
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
'plan' or neutral mouthing
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 need to plan our holiday
Can imply forethought and preparation for future events or activities
Best fit: Discussing future actions, intentions, or arrangements
Mirror focus
Try signing 'plan' while thinking about your next task
Catch the slip
Ensure both hands stay parallel and move together smoothly
Use it today
We need to plan our holiday
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'future' or 'think'. Not keeping hands parallel
When not to use it: When referring to a blueprint or architectural plan (noun)
Regional note: Minor variations in exact start height or palm angle
Cultural note: The forward movement often visually signifies looking ahead or laying out
1.[en] I need to plan my day. / BSL:[Sign PLAN then MY DAY]
2.[en] What are your plans for the weekend? / BSL:[Sign WHAT YOUR PLAN WEEKEND]
3.[en] We are planning a trip. / BSL:[Sign WE PLAN TRIP]
When would a learner use the BSL sign for plan?
A learner would use 'plan' when discussing future events, intentions, strategies, or making arrangements. It's essential for conversations about organisation and preparation for the future.
What do beginners often get wrong when signing plan in BSL?
Beginners might forget to keep both hands parallel and moving together. They may also confuse it with similar signs like 'future' or 'think', or not use the correct flat B-handshape.
Does the BSL sign for plan change by region or context?
While the core sign for 'plan' is widely understood, minor regional variations in the exact starting height or palm orientation might occur. The overall movement and handshape remain consistent.
Is the BSL sign for plan suitable for beginners or children?
Yes, the sign for 'plan' is straightforward and commonly taught to beginners and children. Its clear visual representation makes it easy to learn and remember for basic communication.
Which sign is most often confused with plan in BSL?
The sign for 'future' (one B-hand sweeping forward from the head's side) is frequently confused. Also, 'think' (index finger to temple) can be conceptually mistaken due to shared semantic fields.
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Word web
Arrange
prepare
design
intend
Improvise
unplanned
spontaneous
Strategy
agenda
schedule
intention
Future
Think
Decide
Organise
Goal
FUTURE: Uses one B-hand sweeping forward from near the ear/side of the head. 'PLAN' uses two hands from the chest, indicating laying out details for what's ahead. THINK: Involves a single index finger touching the temple. While related in concept, 'PLAN' is about active formulation and projection of ideas, not just mental activity
Future
intention
arrangement
strategy
preparation
Plan
planning
organise
arrange
future
scheme
intend
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