How to sign “Asking” in BSL

Everyday Basics

BSL and ASL are different languages — this is the British sign. See the ASL sign for “Asking” instead

Step by step

  1. Pinch the tip of your dominant thumb and index finger together, leaving the other fingers extended.
  2. Bring the pinched fingertips to the corner of your mouth, just beside your lips.
  3. Push the hand forward away from your mouth in one smooth stroke, keeping the pinch closed.
  4. Hold your palm angled roughly toward the person you are asking.
  5. Mouth the word 'ask' as you push forward, with your eyebrows slightly raised.

Practice tip

“Asking” is signed with the base ASK sign — ASL/BSL marks ongoing action on the sign, not with a separate word.

Fingerspell “Asking”

Letter by letter with the two-handed BSL alphabet — a handy backup if you forget the sign above. This is not the sign itself.

BSL two-handed handshape for letter ABSL two-handed handshape for letter SBSL two-handed handshape for letter KBSL two-handed handshape for letter IBSL two-handed handshape for letter NBSL two-handed handshape for letter G

See all BSL handshapes in the alphabet reference

Text-based guide researched from BSL-specific references (BSL SignBank, BDA-adjacent teaching materials and BSL dictionaries) and rewritten in original words. Signer-created photos and videos are a planned future upgrade. BSL has regional variation — this is the most widely taught form.

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Browse all 340 BSL signs in the dictionary