Editing British Sign Language (section)

== British Sign Language Dictionary ==
The British Sign Language Dictionary was compiled for the British Deaf Association by the Deaf Studies Research Unit at the University of Durham. It depicts over 1,800 signs through pictures and diagrams, each sign accompanied by definitions, explanations and usage. The signs are ordered not alphabetically, as a dictionary of the English language, but rather according to the phonological{{Clarify|date=March 2024}} characteristics of the language. For example, signs that are based on the "fist" handshape come before signs based on the "open hand" handshape.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last= Brien|editor1-first=David|editor2-last=Brennan|editor2-first=Mary|date= 1992|title=Dictionary of British Sign Language |location= Durham|publisher= Faber & Faber|isbn=0571143466}}</ref>

The dictionary was edited by David Brien, assisted by a team composed by Mary Brennan, [[Clark Denmark]], Frances Elton, Liz Scott Gibson, Graham Turner and [[Dorothy Miles]], among others.

The Dictionary was published in 1992. The foreword was written by [[Princess Diana]], who was the patron of the BDA.