Maintain fluency, grammatical accuracy and coherence in sustained contributions, including accurate articulation and stress

Maintain fluency, grammatical accuracy and coherence in sustained contributions, including accurate articulation and stress

Maintaining Fluency in Sustained Contributions

  • Cultivate the ability to maintain fluency in sustained BSL conversations.
  • Seek out opportunities to engage in lengthy signed conversations on a variety of topics to develop stamina and fluidity.
  • Remember that fluency is not only about speed but also about the natural and smooth flow of signs.

Grammatical Accuracy and Coherence

  • Develop a thorough understanding of the BSL grammatical structure and employ it accurately during sustained signing.
  • Ensure that your signs maintain coherence, meaning they logically connect and contribute to the overall message of the conversation.
  • Practice sequencing your signs in a way that makes narrative sense and flows naturally.

Correct Articulation and Stress

  • Focus on articulating your signs clearly and correctly for better understanding, taking care not to rush or sign imprecisely.
  • Understand the concept of ‘stress’ in BSL, which is similar to vocal emphasis in spoken languages. It can be depicted through bigger, more forceful signing or via non-manual markers.
  • Aim to use stress accurately to emphasise key points or to change the tone of your conversation. Remember, incorrect use of stress can alter the intention or meaning of your message.

Practice and Application

  • Consistently practice signing to improve overall fluency, grammatical correctness, and clear articulation.
  • Record and review your sign language performances to self-critic and correct any grammatical or articulation errors.
  • Engage in mock conversations to practice stress and fluency in sustained contributions, simulating real-world BSL interactions.