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Archive Replay
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Sign of the Day
pit hole
This sign iconically represents a deep hole by showing a dominant hand 'falling' into a non-dominant cupped hand
B1 Common Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
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Dominant G-hand (index finger extended); non-dominant C-hand (cupped)
Dominant G-hand moves downwards through non-dominant C-hand
Describing terrain, hazards, construction, or geology
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 C-hand, palm up/in front of body
- Form dominant G-hand, palm down
- Position G-hand above C-hand
- Move G-hand down through C-hand, simulating depth
Coach prompt
Practice the smooth downward movement and non-manuals
Signature details
Handshape
Dominant G-hand (index finger extended); non-dominant C-hand (cupped) · Code BSL_G-hand_ND_C-hand
Dominant hand
Right
Symmetry
Asymmetric
Contact
Near
Palm orientation
Dominant G-hand palm down/forward; Non-dominant C-hand palm up/towards body
Eyebrows
Furrowed
Eye gaze
Down
Head movement
Forward
Mouth morpheme
'pah' or 'puff' to indicate depth
Body shift
Slight forward lean or head dip
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.
BE CAREFUL, THERE IS A BIG PIT HOLE
Emphasize depth with non-manuals; the C-hand represents the hole's opening
Best fit: Describing terrain, hazards, construction, or geology
Mirror focus
Practice the smooth downward movement and non-manuals
Catch the slip
Ensure the G-hand passes *through* the C-hand, not just tapping it
Use it today
BE CAREFUL, THERE IS A BIG PIT HOLE
Common mistakes: Confusing with 'hole' or 'cave'; not showing sufficient depth
When not to use it: For small, insignificant holes; use 'hole' instead
Regional note: Minor variations in hand placement or movement speed
Cultural note: Pit holes can represent serious hazards in rural or industrial UK areas
1.[en] Watch out for the pit hole. / BSL: WATCH OUT, PIT HOLE.
2.[en] The road has a pit hole. / BSL: ROAD HAS PIT HOLE.
3.[en] It's a dangerous pit hole. / BSL: DANGEROUS PIT HOLE
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Word web
Hole
depression
cavity
chasm
Mound
hill
bump
surface
Danger
trap
obstacle
abyss
Hole
dangerous
deep
ground
HOLE: Often signed with a single C-hand, or two C-hands forming a circular opening. "Pit hole" specifically uses a dominant G-hand moving through a non-dominant C-hand, emphasizing depth and a sense of falling/going into. CAVE: Typically two C-hands forming a larger, often horizontal, opening, sometimes with a slight inward movement. "Pit hole" is distinctly vertical and emphasizes a deep, narrow-ish opening. DITCH: Can be signed with two B-hands moving outwards horizontally, indicating a longer, shallower depression. "Pit hole" is a single, deeper, more localized depression
Geology
hazard
ground
excavation
BSL pit
BSL hole
sign for pit
BSL deep hole
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