Welcome to our comprehensive guide on how to say “hungry” in British Sign Language (BSL). In this guide, we will cover both formal and informal ways to express hunger, and provide some tips, examples, and regional variations where necessary. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Hungry” in BSL
- Hungry: Place the edge of your hand on your stomach and move it upwards in a straight line, ending with an open hand gesture. This sign represents the physical feeling of hunger.
- Hunger: Use the sign for “eat” (placing your fingertips on your lips and moving your hand forward) with a slight modification. Touch your fingertips together instead of pointing them forward to convey the idea of internal hunger, rather than the act of eating.
- Starving: Extend your non-dominant hand forward, palm facing up. Then, using your dominant hand, create a claw-like shape and bring it forcefully down towards your non-dominant hand, representing intense hunger.
Informal Ways to Say “Hungry” in BSL
- Famished: Make a sweeping motion across your stomach using your dominant hand, signifying extreme hunger.
- Ravenous: Extend your non-dominant hand forward, palm facing up, and repeatedly bring your dominant hand down towards it rapidly, similar to the motion of a bird pecking at food. This sign conveys the idea of being voraciously hungry.
Tips for Expressing Hunger in BSL
When signing about hunger, remember to focus on conveying the intensity of the feeling. Body language and facial expressions play a crucial role in sign language, so make sure to express hunger through your entire demeanour:
Body Language: While signing “hungry,” emphasize the movement from your stomach area to denote the feeling of hunger. For signs like “starving” or “ravenous,” use powerful and rapid movements to portray the intensity of hunger.
Facial Expressions: To enhance your communication, adopt a facial expression that matches the severity of your hunger. A slightly raised brow and a slight frown can convey mild hunger, while widening your eyes and opening your mouth slightly can signify extreme hunger.
Examples of Hunger Expressions in BSL
Here are some sentences and phrases you can use to express hunger in BSL:
- I’m feeling hungry. (Sign: Hunger + Feel)
- Are you hungry? (Sign: You + Hungry)
- I’m starving! (Sign: Starving + Me)
- He looks famished. (Sign: Famished + He + Look)
- We need to eat. I’m ravenous! (Sign: Eat + Ravenous + We)
Regional Variations in BSL
While BSL is widely used across the United Kingdom, there may be slight regional variations in sign language. However, when it comes to expressing hunger, the signs mentioned above are commonly understood and used throughout the country. It is important to note that localized signs may exist for specific variations or slang, but they are not necessary for everyday communication about hunger.
Remember to focus on the core signs and expressions mentioned earlier, which will enable effective communication in any BSL context.
Now that you have learned various ways to express hunger in BSL, practice these signs regularly to develop fluency and clarity in your communication. Happy signing, and may your hunger always be satisfied!
