Expressing love is a beautiful and important sentiment to share with your loved ones. In British Sign Language (BSL), there are various ways to convey those three magical words – “I love you.” BSL differs slightly across regions, but here we’ll focus on the commonly used signs for “I love you” in a formal and informal context. Let’s explore the different ways to express your affection in BSL:
Table of Contents
Formal Ways
Formal settings often require a more subtle and professional approach to expressing love. Here are some ways to say “I love you” formally in BSL:
- Sign: Point at yourself – Spread your hand over your heart – Point toward the intended person
Meaning: “I have love/respect for you.”
Example: When meeting someone for the first time during a formal setting, this sign can convey a respectful admiration and affection toward the person.
- Sign: Hands crossed over chest – Modify the sign for “like”
Meaning: “I feel a deep liking towards you.”
Example: This sign is often used in professional contexts where expressing love in a more casual manner may not be appropriate.
- Sign: Right fist over your heart – Point toward the intended person
Meaning: “I hold you in high regard.”
Example: This sign is commonly used to show admiration and respect toward someone, often in a formal or professional setting.
Informal Ways
Informal situations offer more flexibility and allow for a casual expression of love. Here are a few informal ways to say “I love you” in BSL:
- Sign: Extend your thumb, index finger, and pinky finger – Hold your hand to your chin and then extend it outwards
Meaning: “I adore you.”
Example: This sign is perfect for expressing deep affection and adoration towards someone close to you, like a family member or a romantic partner.
- Sign: Cross your arms over your chest and touch your shoulders – Move your hands forward in a circular motion
Meaning: “I care about you.”
Example: This sign is commonly used to express love and care for friends, family, or loved ones and can be used in various informal settings.
- Sign: Trace the shape of a heart on your chest using your index finger
Meaning: “I love you with all my heart.”
Example: This sign is a beloved way to express love, especially between romantic partners or close family members.
Note: In addition to specific signs, body language and facial expressions play a vital role in conveying the depth of your emotions while signing “I love you” in BSL. Warm eye contact, gentle movements, and a sincere smile enhance the message of affection you wish to communicate.
While BSL shares many signs across regions, there can be some regional variations. It’s essential to note that these variations don’t change the core message of “I love you.” Rather, they add unique flavors to the expression of love. Here are a few regional variations of signs for saying “I love you” in BSL:
Regional Variations
- Scotland: In Scottish BSL, some people use a two-handed sign where both hands cross over the heart simultaneously instead of one hand at a time.
- Wales: In Welsh BSL, the sign for “I love you” is often achieved by extending the little finger, middle finger, and thumb while the index and ring fingers are bent down.
- Northern Ireland: In certain areas of Northern Ireland, a common variation is to kiss the back of the hand after signing “I love you” to add an extra romantic touch.
Remember, regardless of the regional variations, the universal message of love remains intact and powerful.
When signing “I love you” in BSL, it’s important to practice and gain familiarity with the signs to ensure clarity and accuracy. Learning from native BSL signers or finding online resources can greatly aid your journey in mastering this beautiful language.
In conclusion, British Sign Language allows us to express the profound emotion of love visually and genuinely. Whether you’re conveying affection formally or casually, these signs will help you communicate your love in a warm, heartfelt manner. So, go ahead and spread the love by signing “I love you” in BSL!
