A learner's archive of British Sign Language

Every sign has a story.

Why is a sign made the way it is? Who first used it, and how has it changed? BSL Sign Stories collects the answers from the people who know them: Deaf signers, families, teachers and the communities where the signs were born.

Video first. A sign is best shown, and its story best told, in BSL. Share a clip from your phone, or a link to a TikTok, Instagram or YouTube video.

both hands open, fingers together, thumbs out fingers bend towards you, repeated BSL · welcome
–signs
–versions shared
–origin stories
–confirmations

Why I started this

I'm Andy, and I'm a hearing person learning British Sign Language. Not long ago, someone explained to me the story behind a sign: where it came from and why it looks the way it does. I was fascinated. It changed how I saw that sign, and I haven't forgotten it since.

I wanted to hear more stories like it. Many are passed on in person, in Deaf clubs, schools and families, and they are a joy to hear. So I built this as a place where people can share them if they want to, to help me learn and, I hope, to help other learners too.

These stories belong to the Deaf community. I'm a learner here, not an expert, and I'd like Deaf BSL users to shape what this becomes.

Andy Miah

How it works

  1. Add a signGive its gloss, its meaning and the region where it's used. Regional variants get their own entries.
  2. Film it or link itVideo is best. Upload a short clip, or link a TikTok, Instagram or YouTube video. Images and written descriptions are welcome too.
  3. Share where it comes fromTell the story in BSL or in writing, and say whether it's documented, a community account, a personal memory or disputed.
  4. Add when it's fromSay roughly when a version was signed or a story dates from, and each sign builds a timeline of how it has changed.
  5. Confirm what you recogniseSigners confirm the versions they use and the explanations they've heard. Each sign shows how much agreement there is, so a shared picture builds over time.

Why share the stories

A story gives a sign a reason. Knowing why a sign looks the way it does makes it easier to remember, and many of these stories are small windows into history: schools, places, people and how life used to be.

Easier to learn

A sign with a story behind it is a sign you remember. Each origin story here comes with a memory hook, and the Practise tab uses them to help learners.

Try Practise →
1576

The first description of signing in Britain is in a Leicester marriage register, recording the vows Thomas Tillsye signed at his wedding.

History of BSL ↗
PURPLE × 17

Researchers filming 249 Deaf signers across the UK found around 17 different signs for purple. Many variants began in the playgrounds of residential Deaf schools.

BSL Corpus Project ↗
Manchester

Manchester has its own system of number signs, unlike any other in the UK. Every region has signs with stories like this.

BSL Corpus Project ↗

Recently added

Help shape it

This project needs Deaf BSL users to lead its review panel and decide how it grows. If you'd like to be involved, or you know a sign with a story, get in touch with Andy.

Share a video of a sign

Post a link to a video of a sign, from TikTok, Instagram, YouTube or anywhere else. Add where the sign comes from if you'd like to; it's optional.

Start typing to pick a sign already here, or enter a new one.
Optional. Dates help build a history of how the sign has changed.

Add a sign

The English label signers use for the sign, written in capitals.
Signs vary by region. A regional variant is its own entry, so the same gloss can appear more than once.

Next you'll add how it's signed: a video, an image, a link to a video, or a written description.

Show how you sign

How are you sharing it?
MP4 or WebM, under 20 MB. A few seconds is enough.
Optional. Dates help build a history of how the sign has changed.

Share where comes from

What kind of account is this?
A signed account is the best way to share it. MP4 or WebM, under 20 MB.
Add a video, a link, written text, or any mix.
Optional. Dates help build a history of how the sign has changed.

Sign in

Your post is checked before it appears. You won't be able to remove it yourself later, and you can add your email at any time.

or sign in with email

Sign in with your email and we'll send you a link; there's no password.

About you

Your name is shown with everything you share, so readers know whose experience it is.