Asking for clarification is an essential part of learning BSL. It’s completely normal to encounter situations where a signer might be too fast, use unfamiliar signs or have a signing style that is new to you. It’s important to try and practice with lots of different people to improve your BSL skills. This will help your brain get used to understanding various signers.
There may be times where important details need to be clarified, such as a meetup place or time. Clarifying ensures you have the correct details and avoids misunderstandings.
Vocabulary
UNDERSTAND and DON’T UNDERSTAND use the same handshape and movement (flick upwards of the index finger), however the difference is highlighted through the movement of the head. Nod your head to show you do understand or shake it to show you don’t understand.
If someone is signing too quickly, try using this phrase: SIGN SLOWLY PLEASE.
What does that sign mean? is signed THAT SIGN MEAN WHAT? It’s a good idea to repeat the sign you are not sure about too when asking this question.
You could sign AGAIN PLEASE if you missed some signs.
If you’re stumped on a word, you might ask for it to be fingerspelled. Try using this phrase: FINGERSPELL PLEASE.
Repeating information back to a signer is an excellent way to show you understand what they are signing. You can ask for confirmation by signing “is that right?” This can be conveyed with a single sign, couple with non-manual features to show you are asking a question e.g. raised eyebrows and a slight head tilt.
Particularly with fingerspelling, you may not necessarily need to sign “right?”. For example, if someone fingerspells their name to you and you repeat it back to confirm it is accurate, you can simply use the non-manual features for asking a question to show you are asking for confirmation you have their name right.
Here are some responses which may be useful:
Video demonstration with example conversations
Exercise: With a partner, hold a simple conversation where you ask each other their name, age and where they live. Repeat answers back either correctly or incorrectly to give them an opportunity to ask for clarification or confirm you are correct.
Key points to remember
1. Ask for clarification if you don’t understand, especially when communicating about important details.
2. Non-manual features such as facial expressions can turn a sign into a question, e.g. RIGHT can become IS THAT RIGHT? with the appropriate non-manual features.
3. Practice repeating fingerspelling back to people to show you understand them. This is a requirement if you decide to undertake any BSL exams.
Useful downloads and links
A PDF version of this page will be available to download soon.