How do you sign “I love you” in BSL? It’s easier than you think! Valentine’s Day is a special occasion when we express our love and appreciation for the people who hold a special place in our hearts. But what if the person you want to communicate with is deaf? That’s where British Sign Language (BSL) comes in. This comprehensive guide will teach you to say “I love you” and explore other Valentine signs in BSL. You’ll find everything below, whether you want to surprise your loved one with a heartfelt message or broaden your sign language skills.
Signing “I Love You” in BSL
There is no single sign in BSL for “I love you.” We will break down the phrase into individual signs that, when combined, convey the message effectively. Let’s learn how to sign “I love you” step by step:
- With your dominant hand, point towards yourself using your index finger. This sign represents the pronoun “I.”
- Lift both hands up, palms flat, then cross one over the other in an “X” shape. This sign represents the word “love.”
- Bring both hands to your chest’s heart area, maintaining the “X” shape. This gesture signifies that the love is directed towards someone.
- Finally, point towards the person you are signing with your index finger, using your dominant hand. This sign represents the pronoun “you.”
Remember to maintain clear and fluid movements while signing, ensuring the person you communicate with can clearly see your gestures.
Do I Use My Left Or Right Hand For Signing I Love You?
You usually use your dominant hand for signing “I” and “you”.
In ASL, there is a single sign for I love you, although it is used more between good friends. The ASL sign for I love you has been informally adopted in the UK. You will often find younger members of the Deaf community using the ASL sign for “I Love You”. The ASL sign for “I love you” is also an emoji.
How do I flirt in BSL?
Flirting in British Sign Language (BSL) is easier than you think! Learning basic greetings and positive expressions, like complimenting someone’s smile, can be highly effective in starting a conversation. To aid in your learning journey, the deaf twins from “Being Her” collaborated with Tinder to develop an instructional video on flirty greetings in BSL. For a visual demonstration, you can access the video titled “How to Flirt in British Sign Language” on the Cosmopolitan website.
Other Valentine Signs in BSL
In addition to saying “I love you,” there are several other signs related to Valentine’s Day in BSL. Here are some signs you can learn to enhance your Valentine’s Day conversations:
Heart: To sign “heart” in BSL, place your flat hand over your heart area on your chest. Then, make a light tapping motion with your fingertips.
Kiss: To sign “kiss” in BSL, you use the bunched handshape on both hands and bring them together, making a quick touching motion.
Hug: To sign “hug” in BSL, cross your arms in front of your chest and give yourself a gentle squeeze.
Forever: To sign “forever” in BSL, you hold your index finger up on your non dominant hand. Then use your index finger on your dominant hand to circles away from the other finger. This representing something lasting eternally.
Valentine: To sign “Valentine” in BSL, you extend your index fingers on both hands and trace a heart shape over your heart whilst mouthing “valentine”.
These signs will allow you to express your affection and create meaningful connections with your loved ones on Valentine’s Day.
Tips for learning BSL
Learning a new language, especially a visual language like BSL, requires patience, practice, and dedication. Here are some tips to help you on your BSL learning journey:
Practice with Native Signers: Find opportunities to interact with native signers, either through local deaf communities, online forums, or social media groups. Practising your signing skills with fluent signers will significantly enhance your understanding and fluency.
Use Sign Language Dictionaries: Online sign language dictionaries visually demonstrate signs and their meanings. We recommend BSL Sign Bank and Sign BSL. Both are fantastic online dictionaries.
Watch BSL Videos: Watching BSL videos created by deaf sign language tutors can help you with understanding the language’s natural flow, facial expressions, and body movements.
Join BSL Classes: Consider enrolling in BSL classes offered by course providers and local organisations. Classes provide structured learning environments and opportunities for face-to-face practice with qualified BSL instructors.
Remember, learning BSL is a journey, and making mistakes is okay. Embrace the learning process, be open to feedback, and celebrate each milestone as you progress towards becoming proficient in BSL.
Celebrate Valentine’s Day using BSL
Valentine’s Day is a time to celebrate love and connection. By learning how to say “I love you” and other Valentine signs in British Sign Language (BSL), you can create meaningful and inclusive interactions with the deaf community and deepen your own understanding of this beautiful language.
Recommended resources:
Commanding Hands YouTube video Valentine Signs
Twinkl Valentine’s Day download
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