Daily focus
Archive Replay
Saturday, April 4, 2026
Sign of the Day
yesterday
The BSL sign for 'yesterday' uses a flat hand, moving back over the shoulder. This iconic movement symbolizes time passing into the past
A1 Very Common Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Flat hand, fingers together, thumb tucked in or alongside
Backward arc over the dominant shoulder
Used to refer to the day before the present
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 a flat B-hand, fingers together, thumb alongside.
- Place hand near dominant cheek/ear, palm facing back.
- Move hand backward in an arc over the dominant shoulder
Coach prompt
Practice the B-handshape. Focus on the smooth backward arc over the dominant shoulder. Ensure mouthing
Signature details
Handshape
Flat hand, fingers together, thumb tucked in or alongside · Code B-hand
Dominant hand
Right
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Backward/Sideways
Eyebrows
Neutral
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
Mouthing 'yesterday'
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.
Yesterday I went to the shop
Often accompanied by mouthing 'yesterday'
Best fit: Used to refer to the day before the present
Mirror focus
Practice the B-handshape. Focus on the smooth backward arc over the dominant shoulder. Ensure mouthing
Catch the slip
Check handshape is flat, fingers together. Ensure movement is a clear arc backwards over the shoulder, not just sideways
Use it today
Yesterday I went to the shop
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'before' or 'past'. Incorrect direction
When not to use it: When referring to 'today' or 'tomorrow'
Regional note: Minor variations in exact placement or arc size
Cultural note: Time markers are crucial in BSL for establishing narrative timelines
1.[en] I saw her yesterday. / BSL:[ME SEE HER YESTERDAY]
2.[en] Yesterday was fun. / BSL:[YESTERDAY FUN]
3.[en] What did you do yesterday? / BSL:[YESTERDAY YOU DO WHAT?]
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Word web
Previous day
Tomorrow
Today
Past
Before
Today
Tomorrow
Last week
Before
Past
YESTERDAY vs. BEFORE: YESTERDAY uses a single B-hand in a distinct arc over the dominant shoulder. BEFORE typically uses a flat hand (or two flat hands) pushing backward, often from chest height, to indicate a more general "prior to" or "in the past."
YESTERDAY vs. PAST: YESTERDAY is specific to the day before. PAST involves a sweeping motion from front to back, often with an open 5-hand or flat hand, signifying a general past time or history, less specific than "yesterday."
Time
Past
yesterday BSL
BSL yesterday
sign for yesterday
Come Back Tomorrow
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