Daily focus
Archive Replay
Thursday, June 4, 2026
Sign of the Day
noise
Both 5-hands spread outwards from chest, fingers wiggle, conveying sound waves or dispersal of an unpleasant sound
A1 Common Noun British Sign Language (BSL) Neutral
Today’s Snapshot
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Both hands in a 5-handshape (open palm, fingers spread)
Hands move outward from the mid-chest area, wiggling fingers
Describing unwanted sounds, loud environments, or a general racket
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 both hands into a 5-handshape, palms inward
- Place hands at mid-chest height in front of body
- Move hands outward to shoulder height, wiggling fingers continuously
- Finish with hands slightly forward, fingers still wiggling
Coach prompt
Focus on fluid outward movement and wiggling fingers with appropriate facial expression and 'pah' mouth pattern
Signature details
Handshape
Both hands in a 5-handshape (open palm, fingers spread) · Code 5
Dominant hand
Either
Symmetry
Symmetric
Contact
Air
Palm orientation
Palms start facing inward, then rotate slightly forward as they move out
Eyebrows
Furrowed
Eye gaze
Forward
Head movement
None
Mouth morpheme
Pah
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.
The construction work created a lot of noise
Often accompanied by a grimace or the 'pah' mouth pattern for emphasis
Best fit: Describing unwanted sounds, loud environments, or a general racket
Mirror focus
Focus on fluid outward movement and wiggling fingers with appropriate facial expression and 'pah' mouth pattern
Catch the slip
Ensure hands start near chest, move outwards, and fingers wiggle continuously. Add a clear 'pah' mouth pattern
Use it today
The construction work created a lot of noise
Common mistakes: Forgetting the wiggling fingers; confusing with 'spread' or 'open'
When not to use it: When describing pleasant music or specific, identifiable sounds
Regional note: Minimal
Cultural note: N/A
1.[en] The noise was deafening. / BSL:[Sign NOISE, face shows discomfort]
2.[en] I heard a strange noise. / BSL:[Sign NOISE, question facial expression]
3.[en] Please stop the noise. / BSL:[Sign NOISE, then STOP]
When would a learner use the BSL sign for noise?
To describe unwanted or loud sounds, a noisy environment, or to ask someone to reduce volume. Useful in everyday conversations about surroundings.
What do beginners often get wrong when signing noise in BSL?
They might forget the continuous wiggling finger movement or the outward trajectory. Also, the associated non-manual features (like a 'pah' mouth pattern or furrowed brows) are often missed.
Does the BSL sign for noise change by region or context?
The core sign for 'noise' is fairly consistent across UK regions. However, intensity or type of noise might be conveyed through varied non-manual features or additional signs.
Is the BSL sign for noise suitable for beginners or children?
Yes, it's a relatively simple and visually descriptive sign, making it highly suitable for beginners and children to learn and use in basic communication.
Which sign is most often confused with noise in BSL?
It can be confused with signs involving outward spreading, like 'spread', 'open', or 'grow'. The key difference is the wiggling fingers and often a 'pah' mouth pattern for 'noise'.
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Word web
Sound
din
racket
clamor
hubbub
Silence
quiet
calm
peace
Loud
sound
quiet
hear
listen
Sound
loud
SPREAD: Similar outward movement, but hands often flatten or open from a closed position, and fingers usually don't wiggle continuously. No 'pah' NMM. OPEN (a book/door): Involves an opening action, but usually from a central point, and fingers don't typically wiggle. LOUD: Often involves a strong, forceful outward movement or a sign for 'sound' combined with intensity. 'Noise' has a more 'dispersing' feel with wiggling
Auditory
environment
perception
nuisance
Sound
loud
racket
din
clamour
BSL sign
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