Monday

What This Sign Means in BSL

The BSL sign for Monday is one of the foundational signs for discussing time and schedules in British Sign Language. It’s a beautifully concise and efficient sign that immediately conveys the first day of the working week. You'll notice its distinct G-handshape, where your index finger and thumb extend, while the other fingers curl into your palm.

This sign is performed on the dominant side of your head, specifically around the temple area. The movement is a small, precise twisting or circular motion of the wrist. It’s not a large, sweeping gesture, but a controlled, subtle action that signals the start of the week. Mastering this sign means you’re well on your way to navigating calendar discussions with ease.

Understanding this sign isn't just about the individual components; it's about appreciating its consistent placement among other day signs. It anchors the week, setting the stage for all the activities and plans that follow. Its clarity makes it instantly recognisable within the BSL community, making your communication smooth and natural.

When This Sign Feels Natural

You’ll find yourself using the sign for Monday in countless everyday conversations. It feels most natural when you're discussing plans, recounting past events, or setting future appointments. Imagine signing, "Shall we meet on Monday?" or "What did you do last Monday?" – this sign fits perfectly into these common inquiries and statements.

This sign maintains a neutral register, meaning it's appropriate in almost any context, whether you're chatting informally with friends, discussing work commitments, or making formal arrangements. It’s a standard sign that doesn't carry any particular emotional weight on its own, though your facial expression can, of course, add nuance if you're expressing a feeling about the day, like the dreaded "Monday morning feeling."

While you could finger-spell M-O-N-D-A-Y, using the established BSL sign is almost always preferred for efficiency and fluency in regular conversation. Choosing the BSL sign demonstrates your comfort and proficiency with the language, allowing for a much more natural flow in your dialogue with Deaf signers. It truly is the default and most authentic way to express "Monday" in the UK.

What Learners Usually Miss

One common area where learners sometimes falter with the BSL sign for Monday is in the exact handshape. It's crucial to maintain a clear G-handshape – making sure only your index finger and thumb are extended, and the other three fingers are firmly curled into your palm. Sometimes, learners might relax their other fingers slightly, which can make the sign look less defined or even be mistaken for another sign.

The location and movement are also key. The sign needs to be performed specifically at the temple area, not too far back towards the ear or too far forward on the forehead. The twisting motion is small and controlled. It’s a subtle rotation of the wrist, not a large, sweeping circle or just a static hold. Over-exaggerating the movement can make the sign appear clumsy, while too little movement might make it unclear.

Another subtle point often missed is the typical neutral facial expression that accompanies days of the week. While you can certainly add expression to convey your feelings about a particular Monday, the sign itself doesn't inherently demand a specific expression. Learners sometimes inadvertently adopt a quizzical or over-emphatic look, which can be distracting. Aim for a relaxed, natural face unless you deliberately intend to convey an emotion.

A Simple Way to Remember It

Thinking about the form and function of the BSL sign for Monday can help embed it in your memory. It’s a practical sign, and connecting it to how we start our week can make it stick.

• The "Start" Pointer: Imagine your extended index finger pointing to the beginning of the week. Monday is the first day, and that G-hand is like a little arrow directing your thoughts to the start.
• Temporal Thoughts: The sign is at your temple, a place often associated with thinking, planning, and scheduling. It’s like you’re "thinking about" or "planning your week" right from its very first day.
• The Weekly Turn: The small twisting motion can be visualised as "turning the page" to a new week on a mental calendar, or the subtle but consistent rhythm of the days cycling around.

Short Practice Situations

• "I’ll see you on Monday for our BSL class."
• "What exciting things did you get up to last Monday?"
• "Every Monday, I make sure to plan out my tasks for the week."
• "The new exhibition opens next Monday at the gallery."
• "I always feel a bit tired on Monday mornings, don't you?"

Signs to Learn Next

• Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday: Naturally, once you know Monday, learning the rest of the days of the week is your logical next step. Many share similar handshapes or locations, building on what you’ve learned.
• Week: This sign connects directly, as Monday is a part of the broader concept of a "week." Understanding "week" allows you to talk about weekly routines or how many Mondays are left until an event.
• Morning / Afternoon / Evening: To be more specific about when something happens on Monday, these time-of-day signs are invaluable. "Monday morning" is a very common phrase to sign.
• Next / Last: These directional signs are crucial for specifying "next Monday" or "last Monday." They add essential context to your time references and help you place events accurately.
• Calendar / Schedule: Learning signs related to organising your time, like "calendar" or "schedule," will help you integrate "Monday" into discussions about planning and appointments even more effectively.