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Saturday, March 14, 2026
Sign of the Day
guideline
The sign GUIDELINE uses both flat hands moving forward, symbolising a clear path or set of instructions
B1 Common Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Both hands flat, fingers together, thumb tucked
Both hands move forward together, parallel
Used when referring to rules, instructions, or principles for conduct
Break It Down
Watch, build, and feel the movement
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How to form the sign
- Form flat hands, fingers together, thumbs tucked
- Place hands parallel in front of body, palms down
- Move both hands forward together in a straight line
Coach prompt
Practice signing GUIDELINE clearly with both hands moving parallel
Signature details
Handshape
Both hands flat, fingers together, thumb tucked · Code Flat-hand variant
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Symmetric
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Palms down or slightly 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
Everything below is designed to make the sign sticky: where it feels natural, what learners miss, and how to use it without sounding robotic.
1.[en] Follow these guidelines. / BSL:[Sign FOLLOW then GUIDELINE]
Often used in formal or instructional contexts
Best fit: Used when referring to rules, instructions, or principles for conduct
Mirror focus
Practice signing GUIDELINE clearly with both hands moving parallel
Catch the slip
Ensure hands are flat, fingers together, and move forward in unison and parallel
Use it today
1.[en] Follow these guidelines. / BSL:[Sign FOLLOW then GUIDELINE]
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'path' or 'direction' due to similar movement
When not to use it: When referring to a physical line or route; use 'path' or 'route' instead
Regional note: None significant widely known
Cultural note: Reflects the importance of clear instruction in professional settings
1.[en] Follow the guidelines. / BSL:[SIGN FOLLOW GUIDELINE]
2.[en] Safety guidelines. / BSL:[SIGN SAFE GUIDELINE]
3.[en] New guidelines released. / BSL:[SIGN NEW GUIDELINE ANNOUNCE]
What is the BSL sign for guideline?
The sign for GUIDELINE in BSL involves both flat hands, fingers together and thumb tucked, moving forward together in parallel in neutral space.
How do you sign guideline in BSL?
Position both flat hands, palms down, parallel in front of your body. Then, move both hands forward together in a straight, linear motion.
Is guideline one-handed or two-handed in BSL?
The sign for GUIDELINE is a two-handed sign in BSL. Both hands perform the same movement simultaneously.
What handshape is used for guideline in BSL?
The handshape for GUIDELINE uses both hands flat, with all fingers held together and the thumb tucked against the palm or side.
How does guideline differ from similar signs in BSL?
GUIDELINE (flat hands, forward, parallel) differs from 'PATH' (often one hand, arc forward) or 'DIRECTION' (index finger pointing). The symmetric, parallel movement is key for GUIDELINE.
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Word web
Rule
principle
instruction
directive
standard
Deviation
exception
irregularity
Policy
procedure
regulation
standard
advice
Rule
instruction
policy
The sign GUIDELINE (both flat hands, fingers together, thumbs tucked, moving forward parallel) is distinct from 'PATH' which often uses a single B-hand or P-hand moving forward in an arc, or 'DIRECTION' which typically involves an index finger pointing. While visually similar in forward movement, GUIDELINE's emphasis is on the dual, parallel, prescriptive motion, representing a set of instructions rather than a physical route or simple pointer
Policy
instruction
rule
direction
advice
Rule
principle
policy
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