How to Sign ‘Thank You’ in British Sign Language (BSL)

Sign

To sign “thank you” in British Sign Language (BSL), one documented form uses a flat hand beginning at or near the chin, with the palm facing the signer, before the hand moves forwards and down. Because written instructions and still images cannot capture a sign completely, watch the moving example for “thank you” in UCL’s BSL SignBank and use the notes below only as a learning aid.

This article concerns BSL, not American Sign Language (ASL). BSL and ASL are distinct languages, so learners should not assume that a sign, alphabet or grammatical feature transfers from one to the other. Our guide to the difference between ASL and BSL provides a broader comparison.

Watch the BSL sign before practising

Start with the BSL SignBank video linked above. UCL describes BSL SignBank’s dictionary as being based on signs collected from Deaf BSL users across the United Kingdom. Its moving recordings are therefore more useful for copying vocabulary than a written description alone.

Watch the complete sign several times before trying to reproduce it. Pay attention to the handshape, palm orientation, location, movement and natural use of the face and body. These features occur together rather than as a sequence of frozen poses.

How to sign “thank you” in BSL

The following breakdown describes the form shown in the cited BSL SignBank entry. It is not intended to impose a single definitive form on every BSL user or region.

Use one flat hand. Keep the fingers together or naturally close together, with the thumb resting comfortably alongside the hand.
Begin at the chin. Bring the fingertips to or near your chin rather than starting at the forehead, cheek or chest.
Check the palm orientation. At the beginning, the palm faces towards you. The person opposite will therefore see mainly the back of your hand.
Move forwards and down. Move the hand smoothly away from your chin in a forwards-and-downwards path.
Finish naturally. End a short distance in front of your upper body and below the starting point. Avoid adding a sharp flick, exaggerated flourish or throwing action.
Match the social context. Use a natural facial expression and look towards the person you are addressing where appropriate. A fixed smile is not a required component of this vocabulary item.

Starting position

In the documented example, one flat hand begins with the fingertips at or near the chin and the palm facing the signer. This gives you three useful features to check: handshape, location and orientation.

Movement and finishing position

The hand travels smoothly forwards and down, finishing away from and lower than the chin. Do not rely on a photograph to judge the direction, pace or flow. Those features become clear only in a moving demonstration.

A four-feature memory check

A practical way to remember the sign is to check four connected language features:

Handshape: one flat, relaxed hand.
Orientation: the palm initially faces the signer.
Location: the fingertips begin at or near the chin.
Movement: the hand moves forwards and down, away from the chin.

Changing one of these features may make your attempt less recognisable and could, in some circumstances, suggest a different sign. Context can help a fluent signer understand an imperfect attempt, but careful observation is still worthwhile.

A useful practice mechanism

Rather than repeatedly copying from memory, use a simple watch–sign–compare routine:

Watch: view the BSL SignBank recording at normal speed without signing.
Notice: identify the starting location, palm direction and path of movement.
Sign: reproduce the whole movement smoothly instead of pausing at each stage.
Compare: replay the source and check one feature at a time.
Repeat: practise in a short, natural phrase or interaction rather than treating the sign as an isolated pose.

This approach reduces the risk of concentrating on the handshape while overlooking movement or orientation. If you record yourself for private practice, compare your attempt with the source video rather than with a mirrored still image. Direct feedback from a fluent Deaf BSL user or qualified BSL tutor remains more informative than self-assessment.

Common mistakes to avoid

Starting too far from the chin

The chin is the relevant starting area in the cited form. Beginning at the chest or forehead changes an important part of the sign.

Turning the sign into a blown kiss

Some beginners may associate the movement with blowing a kiss, but that comparison can lead to pursed lips or an exaggerated throwing action. Copy the fluent BSL demonstration instead of acting out that visual association.

Using an unclear handshape

Keep the hand flat and relaxed. A fist, a pointing index finger or widely spread fingers do not match the linked example.

Adding an unnecessary rotation

Begin with the palm facing you and follow the movement shown in the recording. Avoid introducing a large twist or flourish that is not present in the source.

Forcing a smile

Facial expression and other non-manual features contribute to signed language, but that does not mean every polite sign requires a permanent smile. Respond naturally to the person and situation.

Learning from a still image alone

A still can illustrate handshape or location, but it cannot fully represent direction, timing, speed or flow. Use the featured image only as an orientation aid and return to the moving dictionary example before practising.

BSL is a language, not a collection of gestures

BSL has its own vocabulary and grammar. Meaning can involve handshape, palm orientation, location, movement and non-manual features such as facial expression, mouth patterns and body position. Calling signs merely “gestures” overlooks how these linguistic features work together.

The British Sign Language Act 2022 recognises BSL as a language of England, Wales and Scotland. Its legal recognition does not mean that every Deaf or hard-of-hearing person uses BSL. People have different languages and communication preferences, so ask rather than assume how someone wishes to communicate.

Regional and social variation in BSL

BSL is not completely uniform. UCL explains in its BSL SignBank frequently asked questions that signs can vary according to factors such as region and age, and that the resource may show several signs for one English keyword. An English word should therefore not be treated as having one compulsory BSL equivalent in every community and context.

This guide introduces the form documented in the linked dictionary entry. If you encounter another form, do not immediately label it incorrect. Check an established BSL resource and ask a fluent Deaf BSL user or qualified tutor about where and how that form is used. The source demonstration should take priority over Lead Academy’s written approximation.

Build broader BSL skills

Learning one useful sign can support a respectful interaction, but it is not the same as learning the language. Structured study should include receptive skills, vocabulary, grammar, conversation and practice with competent language models.

Beginners may also find our guide to the British Sign Language alphabet helpful. Fingerspelling is useful for names and some unfamiliar terms, but it does not replace BSL vocabulary or grammar.

Frequently asked questions

Is “thank you” the same in BSL and ASL?

No. BSL and ASL are separate languages. Similar-looking signs should not be assumed to have identical forms, meanings or uses. This article describes only the BSL SignBank example cited above.

Must I use my right hand?

No. Use the hand that feels natural to you. For the documented form, focus on preserving the flat handshape, chin location, initial palm orientation and forwards-and-down movement.

Do my fingertips have to touch my chin?

The linked example begins at or near the chin. Natural articulation can include small differences, but starting clearly in that area preserves the sign’s location. Watch the video rather than trying to measure an exact distance.

Should I smile while signing “thank you”?

You do not need to hold a fixed smile. Use a natural expression suited to the interaction and engage respectfully with the person you are addressing.

Can I learn the sign from a photograph?

A photograph can help you identify a handshape or starting position, but it cannot fully show movement, direction or timing. Always compare your attempt with a moving example from a recognised BSL source.

Why might I see a different sign elsewhere?

BSL vocabulary can vary by region, age, community and context. Dictionaries may also list more than one sign for an English search term. Ask about the context of a form instead of assuming that only one version can be valid.

About this guide

Lead Academy publishes educational learning guides. This page was prepared by comparing its plain-English explanation with UCL’s BSL SignBank entry and current UK legislation. It has not been presented as a substitute for teaching or review by a fluent Deaf BSL practitioner. Where the written description and source demonstration appear to differ, follow the source demonstration and seek guidance from a qualified BSL tutor or fluent Deaf BSL user.

Summary

In the documented BSL SignBank form of “thank you”, one flat hand begins at or near the chin with the palm facing the signer, then moves smoothly forwards and down. Keep the movement natural, avoid adding a kiss-blowing action and use the moving source to check the complete sign. Remember that BSL has regional and social variation and is a full language, not a set of isolated gestures.