Archive Replay Saturday, April 18, 2026

Sign of the Day

communication

Two open B-hands move out from the chest and back repeatedly, showing exchange

A1 Very Common Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
Daily focus
Today’s Snapshot

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Level A1
Frequency Very Common
Class Noun
Hand count Two-handed
Movement Repeated
Location Mid-chest to forward space
Face & eyes Neutral facial expression often accompanies
Language British Sign Language (BSL) · UK
Shape cue

Both hands open flat, fingers together, thumb slightly tucked

Motion cue

Hands move outwards from near the chest, then return, repeating

Meaning cue

Discussing general interaction, conveying messages, sharing information

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

  1. Form B-flat hands, fingers together, thumb tucked
  2. Place hands near mid-chest, palms facing
  3. Move hands outwards a short distance
  4. Return hands towards chest, repeat movement
Coach prompt

Sign "communication" multiple times, varying speed and context

Signature details

Handshape Both hands open flat, fingers together, thumb slightly tucked · Code B-flat
Dominant hand Either
Symmetry Symmetric
Contact Air
Palm orientation Palms generally face each other, then slightly forward
Eyebrows Neutral
Eye gaze Forward
Head movement None
Mouth morpheme "Communication" or neutral mouth
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.

Natural example
Good communication is vital

Represents the abstract concept of communication, not a specific act

Best fit: Discussing general interaction, conveying messages, sharing information

Daily drills
Mirror focus

Sign "communication" multiple times, varying speed and context

Catch the slip

Ensure both hands are flat and moving symmetrically. Maintain repetition and location

Use it today

Good communication is vital

Watch-outs

Common mistakes: Not using both hands, incorrect handshape, insufficient repetition

When not to use it: If referring to a specific message; use 'message' instead

Regional note: Minimal. Core sign is widespread

Cultural note: Emphasizes shared exchange between people

Practice line

1.[en] We need better communication. / BSL:[Need better 'communication']

Practice line

2.[en] Communication is key. / BSL:['Communication' important]

Practice line

3.[en] It's good communication. / BSL:[Good 'communication']

Which sign is most often confused with communication in BSL?

It's often confused with 'SPEAK' (single hand, different movement) or 'DISCUSS' (hands meet, different meaning nuance).

Connect the Dots

Turn one sign into a small learning cluster

These links use your relationship fields, related vocabulary, and category context so the daily page becomes a launchpad instead of a dead end.

Word web

Talk converse interaction discussion Silence isolation non-communication Language dialogue message understanding express Talk Discuss Language Message

'COMMUNICATION' uses two open B-hands moving outwards and back, representing general exchange. 'TALK' (or 'SPEAK') typically uses a dominant B-hand tapping the side of the mouth then moving forward, focusing on the act of verbal speech. 'DISCUSS' often involves both B-hands moving towards and away from each other, sometimes meeting, implying a back-and-forth conversation

Abstract noun social interaction conversation BSL communicate talk sign discussion BSL sharing information Conversation
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Video credit: The demonstration video on this page is credited to SpreadTheSign. The video remains the property of the original rightholder.

All written explanations, learning notes, examples, comparisons, and page design on this page are SignDeaf educational material.

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