Learn British Sign Language,
One Sign at a Time

British Sign Language (BSL) is the first or preferred language of over 150,000 Deaf people in the UK. It is a complete, natural language with its own grammar, syntax, and vocabulary — not a signed version of English. BSL uses handshapes, movement, location, facial expressions, and body language to communicate meaning.

BSL was officially recognised as a language by the UK Government in 2003, and achieved full legal recognition under the British Sign Language Act 2022.

No. BSL (British Sign Language) and ASL (American Sign Language) are entirely different languages, despite both being used in English-speaking countries. BSL uses a two-handed manual alphabet, while ASL is one-handed. They have different grammar, vocabulary, and regional dialects.

Other related systems include ISL (Irish Sign Language) and Makaton (a communication support system, not a full language). SignDeaf focuses primarily on BSL.

Yes. SignDeaf offers free access to the full BSL dictionary with 115+ signs. Every sign page includes a video demonstration, handshape guide, CEFR difficulty rating, usage notes, and AI-generated learning tips. No credit card required — create a free account to unlock practice features and progress tracking.

Reaching conversational BSL (roughly B1 level) typically takes 6–12 months of regular practice. Your first 100 signs can be learned in a few weeks. The key is consistency — even 10–15 minutes per day makes a significant difference. SignDeaf's CEFR-graded dictionary helps you track exactly where you are on your journey from A1 to C2.

SignDeaf covers all six CEFR levels from A1 (Absolute Beginner) to C2 (Advanced). Each sign is tagged with its CEFR level so you can filter the BSL dictionary to match your current ability. Start with A1 greetings and everyday vocabulary, then progress through B1 conversational signs to C2 specialist and professional vocabulary.

Both — but the Deaf community comes first. SignDeaf was built from the ground up as a Deaf-first platform. The dictionary includes cultural notes, Deaf community context, and regional BSL variations. Deaf users can use it as a reference dictionary. Hearing learners — parents of Deaf children, interpreters in training, social workers, healthcare professionals — can use it as a structured learning resource.

The core dictionary is free forever. A paid Sign Master or Sign Legend membership unlocks AI-powered practice sessions, progress tracking, achievement badges, and priority support from our Deaf team. Start with the free Sign Explorer plan — no time limit, no credit card required.