To sign "couch," start by forming both hands into "C" shapes with your palms facing down. Bring your hands together in front of your chest so your index fingers and thumbs are nearly touching. Then, smoothly pull your hands apart horizontally to the sides, as if you are outlining the long, flat shape of a couch.
To sign this, you would sign 'new' by scooping one hand over the other, and then use your 'C' hands pulling apart to sign 'couch'.
First, establish the subject by signing 'dog' and 'sleep,' then outline the furniture by pulling your 'C' hands apart to show where the dog is resting.
You can sign 'sit' using your two fingers draped over the other hand's two fingers, and then sign 'couch' by smoothly pulling your 'C' hands apart.
To sign this, you would sign 'new' by scooping one hand over the other, and then use your 'C' hands pulling apart to sign 'couch'.
First, establish the subject by signing 'dog' and 'sleep,' then outline the furniture by pulling your 'C' hands apart to show where the dog is resting.
You can sign 'sit' using your two fingers draped over the other hand's two fingers, and then sign 'couch' by smoothly pulling your 'C' hands apart.
While many signers use a compound sign—signing 'sit' first and then pulling the hands apart—the version shown here is perfectly acceptable. It focuses entirely on outlining the long shape of the furniture and is widely understood.
Pull your hands apart until they are just slightly wider than your shoulders. This distance is enough to visually communicate the long length of a couch without uncomfortably overextending your arms.
Yes, your palms should face downward. This specific orientation helps represent the flat seating surface and the overall structure of the couch resting securely on the floor.
