What This Sign Means in BSL
The BSL sign for soon is a wonderfully immediate and versatile adverb, signaling that an event or action is expected to happen in the very near future. It’s a sign that carries a clear sense of anticipation, often implying “any minute now” or “in a short while.” When you use it, you’re not just stating a future event; you’re often conveying a feeling of proximity, reassurance, or even mild urgency.
This sign is all about conveying a short, impending timeframe. Think of it as the BSL equivalent of someone saying, “It’s just around the corner!” or “It won’t be long now.” It’s particularly effective for promises, plans, or simply describing something that’s about to unfold. The sign itself, with its direct movement to the chin, embodies this immediacy, bringing the future literally closer to you.
You’ll find yourself using “soon” in a wide array of contexts, from casual chat about meeting a friend to more structured discussions about project deadlines. Its core meaning remains consistent: a brief interval before something happens. It’s a sign that invites a sense of readiness and expectation, making it a foundational part of everyday BSL communication.
When This Sign Feels Natural
The sign for “soon” feels most natural in informal to semi-formal conversations, particularly when you’re discussing plans, reassuring someone, or expressing mild impatience or excitement about something impending. Imagine telling a friend you’ll be there “soon,” or letting someone know their turn is coming “soon.” It’s the perfect sign for those moments when precision isn’t necessary, but a clear indication of a short wait is.
You’d naturally choose this sign when interacting with Deaf friends, family, or colleagues where a relaxed, direct communication style is appreciated. It’s excellent for situations like: “I’m going home soon,” “The food will be ready soon,” or “I’ll see you soon.” It fits well into the rhythm of daily life, providing a succinct way to manage expectations about time.
While “soon” is incredibly useful, you might choose a different sign if you need to be very specific about a future time (e.g., “in five minutes,” or “next Tuesday”). Similarly, for highly formal announcements or very long-term plans, you might opt for broader future tense indicators or more detailed explanations. “Soon” thrives in those moments of immediate, friendly, and reassuring communication.
What Learners Usually Miss
One common oversight for learners is the subtlety of the movement and its repetition. The sign for “soon” isn’t a single, definitive tap; it’s a repeated, often gentle, brushing or tapping motion at the chin. Learners sometimes make the movement too forceful or perform it only once, which can make the sign less clear or even imply a different meaning. The repetition is key to conveying the continuous approach of the “soon” moment.
Another aspect often missed is the appropriate facial expression. While the handshape and movement are correct, a neutral face can strip the sign of its full meaning. For “soon,” a slight raising of the eyebrows, a gentle forward lean of the head, or an expectant look can greatly enhance the sign, showing anticipation or reassurance. Without this non-manual element, the sign can feel flat, lacking the very immediacy and feeling it’s meant to convey.
Finally, learners sometimes struggle with the precise location on the body. The sign is specifically at the chin area. Drifting too high towards the mouth or too low towards the neck can make the sign less clear or even resemble other signs. Maintaining the correct location, combined with the repeated, natural movement and an engaged facial expression, ensures your “soon” is perfectly understood as the impending, close-at-hand moment you intend.
A Simple Way to Remember It
Think of the sign for “soon” as an immediate reminder, bringing the future right up to your face. The repeated movement at your chin represents time ticking down, getting closer and closer to you.
- The Chin as Your Personal Timeline: Imagine your chin as the point where the immediate future touches you. The action there signifies something is so close, it’s almost brushing against you.
- The Index Finger Pointing Forward: Your extended index finger is like a tiny arrow pointing directly from the present moment towards that very near future, emphasising the quick approach.
- Repeated Tapping = Impending Action: The gentle, repeated tapping or brushing isn’t just one moment, but a continuous series of tiny moments getting closer and closer, building anticipation until the event arrives.
Short Practice Situations
- I’ll pop over to your place soon, just finishing up this email.
- Don’t worry, the film is starting soon, we just need to grab our snacks.
- The bus will be here soon, let’s wait by the stop.
- We need to decide on our holiday plans soon before all the good flights are gone.
- I’m going to get a new coffee machine soon; this one is on its last legs!
Signs to Learn Next
- Later: This sign is a natural contrast to “soon,” helping you distinguish between events happening in the immediate future versus those further off. Learning both helps you express varying timeframes clearly.
- Now / Already: While “soon” looks to the immediate future, “now” and “already” anchor you firmly in the present or very recent past. Understanding these helps delineate between what’s currently happening, what has just finished, and what’s about to begin.
- Wait: Often, if something is happening “soon,” it implies a period of “wait.” Learning “wait” alongside “soon” allows you to communicate the full scope of anticipation and patience in a conversation.
- Future: “Future” is a broader concept, encompassing any time ahead. Learning “soon” in relation to “future” helps you understand how to specify a very close future versus a more distant, general one.
- Arrive: This sign represents an event’s conclusion – the moment something or someone gets to a destination. Learning “arrive” allows you to describe the completion of something that was pending “soon.”