Numbers, Counting & Time in Sign Language
Learn to sign numbers 1-100, tell the time, discuss dates, and handle money and age in BSL.
Numbers 1 to 100
Numbers in BSL follow a logical system that becomes easy once you learn the basic patterns. Numbers 1-10 each have a distinct hand shape, and these form the building blocks for all higher numbers.
Numbers 11-19 combine the signs for the tens and units in a fluid motion. From 20 onwards, decades (20, 30, 40, etc.) have their own signs, and you combine them with unit numbers to form any number.
Practise numbers regularly by counting everyday items — steps you walk, items in your shopping basket, or pages in a book. This builds fluency and muscle memory for number signs.
Pay attention to the orientation and movement of number signs, as some numbers look similar and can be confused. Clarity in your hand shapes ensures you are understood correctly.
Telling the Time
Telling the time in BSL involves combining number signs with time-related vocabulary. Learn signs for o'clock, half past, quarter past, and quarter to as your starting point.
BSL typically uses a direct time format — for example, signing '3:30' rather than 'half past three.' However, both methods are used and understood in the Deaf community.
Signs for morning, afternoon, evening, and night add context to time expressions. Being able to say 'I will meet you at 2 in the afternoon' is much clearer than just signing the number.
Practise telling the time by glancing at a clock throughout the day and signing the current time to yourself. This simple habit builds speed and accuracy remarkably quickly.
Dates, Days & Months
Learn the signs for all seven days of the week and twelve months of the year. These are essential for making plans, discussing schedules, and talking about past events.
Dates in BSL are typically signed in the order: day number, then month. For example, '15th March' would be signed as the number 15 followed by the sign for March.
Signs for seasons — spring, summer, autumn, winter — add richness to your conversations about time and planning. These signs are often descriptive and visually intuitive.
Being able to discuss birthdays, holidays, and important dates is a lovely way to connect with others. Practise signing your own birthday and asking others about theirs.
Money & Age
Money signs are practical and frequently used. Learn the signs for pounds and pence, and practise combining them with numbers to express prices and amounts.
Being able to sign about money is useful for shopping, splitting bills, discussing budgets, and everyday financial conversations. Practise with real-life scenarios to build confidence.
Asking and telling age is a common part of conversation. Learn to sign 'How old are you?' and respond with your age. This is especially useful when talking about children, birthdays, and milestones.
Numbers in BSL extend beyond basic counting into everyday practical contexts. The more you practise using numbers in real situations — at shops, in conversations, when making plans — the more natural and fluent your signing becomes.