Time Lines
Time lines in BSL are a metaphorical
representation of time space. There are four
different time lines in BSL.
1. Past, present and future are represented on a
line that goes at right angles to the body from
behind the signer through their dominant side
and ahead at in front of the body. The past is
behind them further back in time being
represented further behind them and the future
ahead. The present is where their body is and
with yesterday and tomorrow signed from the
cheek back or forward.
2. One line is from the elbow to the finger tips of
the non dominant hand. This is used to
express a number of weeks ahead or in the
past.
3. A line in front of the signer from left to right in a
right handed signer represents continuous
events.
4. A line from foot to head on the dominant side is
used to express the idea of growing up or
maturing. This is the only function on this
particular line.