British Sign Language
Deaf UK communication
British Sign Language is the primary sign language of the deaf community in the United Kingdom, using hand shapes, facial expressions, and body movements to communicate.
Like other sign languages, it has its own grammar and syntax distinct from spoken English.
Often abbreviated BSL: She's been learning BSL for two years.
Rules for arranging words
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
- phonologyScience of language sounds
- semanticsStudy of linguistic meaning
- pragmaticsLanguage-in-context study
grammar · lexicon · sociolinguistics · bilingualism · code-switching · psycholinguistics · neurolinguistics · dialectology
Finger positioning in signing
- movementChange in position
- locationPosition in space
- orientationPosition relative to surroundings
- palmHand's flat interior
fingerspelling · classifier · facial expression · mouthing · eye gaze · head tilt · pointing · indexing
One who conveys meaning between languages
- captioningAdding text to media
- accessibilityEase of approach
- relay serviceAssisted communication channel
- legal recognitionFormal validity under law
Identity embracing sign language community
- regional variationGeographic differences in practice
- DeaflympicsAthletic competition for deaf
- CODAHearing offspring of deaf
- interpretersOral language mediators
Act of obtaining something
- immersionState of being submerged
- early interventionPrompt response to emerging problems
syntax
Rules for arranging words
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
- phonologyScience of language sounds
- semanticsStudy of linguistic meaning
pragmatics · grammar · lexicon · sociolinguistics · bilingualism · code-switching · psycholinguistics · neurolinguistics · dialectology · prosody
handshape
Finger positioning in signing
- movementChange in position
- locationPosition in space
- orientationPosition relative to surroundings
palm · fingerspelling · classifier · facial expression · mouthing · eye gaze · head tilt · pointing · indexing
interpreter
One who conveys meaning between languages
- captioningAdding text to media
- accessibilityEase of approach
- relay serviceAssisted communication channel
legal recognition · public services · healthcare access · educational access
Deaf culture
Identity embracing sign language community
- regional variationGeographic differences in practice
- DeaflympicsAthletic competition for deaf
- CODAHearing offspring of deaf
acquisition
Act of obtaining something
- immersionState of being submerged
- early interventionPrompt response to emerging problems
- sign languagefingerspelling, ASL, handshape, BSL, ASL alphabet
- British SpeechEnglish, Welsh, Scots, Cornish, Scottish Gaelic
British Sign Languagespoken language
Audible verbal communication system
speech · English · verbal communication · written language · written English
British Sign LanguageAmerican Sign Language
Gestural tongue of deaf community
British, Britain, Briton, Britons, signed, signing, signer, signers, signage