BSL
Isn't a 1:1 equivalence to English. It's more about the concept that is expressed by a particular sign. BSL is a completely separate language, which is as different to English as, say, Mandarin...
(Sir Itchalot has a very self-referential signature, Wed 24 Aug 2011, 17:57, 1 reply)

Yes, I know that.
I was taught "bullshit" in BSL by a colleague and the "gay" sign in a restaurant in Norway. I'm told they use BSL in Norway rather than anything local -- because it doesn't matter.
This is why I made an effort to explain the meaning of the word "gay" I was referring to and, also, why I mentioned I knew it may not be signed the same as "homosexual".
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Wed 24 Aug 2011, 19:01, closed)

There is a Norweign sign language
with 2 dialects, but sign language users tend to be able to switch into almost any sign language quite easily, especially when they have experience of it, and the native language has borrowed or developed from another.
'gay' meaning happy has a different sign to 'gay' meaning 'homosexual'.
'gay' and 'homosexual' are the same sign but just performed in a more informal/formal way respectively. It all depends on the context really, and if you are talking about a man or a woman.
( Herb Alpert's Taxi Driver I have very beautiful lips, Wed 24 Aug 2011, 19:15, closed)

Thanks, the drunken conversation is coming back to me.
It could be the whole Nynorsk/Bokmal and other dialectal stuff that meant she knew and used British.
So, what is "gay", meaning homosexual, then? I think it's a bit like a "pointing two guns" gesture, for some reason...
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Wed 24 Aug 2011, 19:36, closed)

here you go!
www.britishsignlanguage.com/words/index.php?id=345
The same page has the sign for lesbian too. Although I do both from the palm of the hand. Oo-er.
( Herb Alpert's Taxi Driver I have very beautiful lips, Wed 24 Aug 2011, 19:43, closed)

Oops! Sorry...
That sounded horribly patronising, didn't it? Beg your pardon, sir!
(Sir Itchalot has a very self-referential signature, Wed 24 Aug 2011, 20:00, closed)

It's OK, you can't help it.
You're thumbs-up rocking on an open palm. Well, unless you are gay, in which case you're some sign I don't know which means "straight".
(Me, I'm not... in any way intoxicated, Wed 24 Aug 2011, 20:43, closed)

Yeah, fist clenched with middle finger unfurled to you too, mate...
X wuv oo
(Sir Itchalot has a very self-referential signature, Wed 24 Aug 2011, 23:47, closed)