Numbers & Colours

BSL Number Signs by Region

Ever struggled with the BSL number signs from a different region? It can be a nightmare, can’t it? Signworld’s comprehensive guide to BSL number signs in different regions (eventually there will be 14 regional variations in all) will help you find your way wherever you are.

No more waiting for the number 9 bus in Cardiff when it should be the number 4! No knocking on the wrong door number in Maidstone or Motherwell! No more getting short-changed in Norwich or North Wales! No more insulting that lady in Belfast or Bristol about her age!

With every number from 1 to 100 - all the tens from 20 to 100 - how to sign hundreds, thousands, 3- and 4-digit numbers and hundreds of thousands up to a million – you can improve your understanding of BSL numbers wherever you are – 100% guaranteed!

Then you can search for Phrases containing numbers in our BSL Levels and see how the numbers are used in real-life conversations, whether it’s about money, age, the time, dates, or anything else.

In each category (and also in Colours), the first region you will see signed is London and South East England. But you can choose the other regions from the dropdown menu. Wherever you go in the UK, you can count on Signworld!

 

Oh no, is that the time?!

Time signs for on the hour, e.g. nine o’clock, are indicated by a waggle of the hand, holding up the relevant number of fingers, with the hand held out in front of the face. Other times, such as half-past and quarter-to, twenty-past, etc., are signed rather differently. A good illustration is in BSL Level 1 Lesson 3, Story 3, Phrase 9 – “9 o’clock to 5 o’clock, sometimes 8.30 to 4.30”, and there are other examples throughout the Levels – just use the ‘Search’ function to find them.

 

Let’s make a date!

Signing a date varies from region to region. E.g. in London 1984 would be signed as 19-8-4. The date generally consists of the component numbers that make up the date in the relevant region being signed in front of the body, usually with accompanying mouth pattern.

 

How old?!

Age numbers in years are signed on the nose up to the age of 99. From the age of 100, the sign for ‘age’ is made on the nose, and then the number – ‘100’ – in neutral space. There is no need to sign ‘years’. But when talking about babies under a year old, the same principle applies as for ages over 100 – indicate age on the nose, then sign the number and ‘M’ for months. You can find many examples of ages by using the ‘Search’ function in all levels. In Level 1 alone, there are examples of ages 3, 5, 13 and 16.

 

How much did you say that cost?!

In most regions money numbers for £ are signed on the chin, up to £12. Beyond 12, it’s often the number followed by ‘P’ for £ (apart from in Wales). But the continuing significance of the chin as a place for indicating money numbers can be seen in various regional signs for £100 in BSL Level 2, Lesson 20, Story 4, Phrase 2. The pence would normally be signed in front of the body in neutral space.

 

Colour Me Regional

Apart from numbers, colours are the signs that vary most from region to region. Signworld’s comprehensive guide to the main BSL colour signs in different regions is a must.

No more struggling till you’re blue in the face! No need to be green with envy at how other people manage! No more getting red-eyed trying to make out what colour somebody is signing! No more hairs turning white with the strain! Signworld’s guide to regional colours is pure gold!

Go on – put a bit of colour into your signing – wherever you are!

Topics included

  1. Numbers

  2. Colours