To sign 'hammock,' start by tracing the shape of a hammock in the air. Hold both hands in 'U' handshapes (with your index and middle fingers extended and together) in front of your chest. Move your hands apart in a swooping, downward-then-upward arc to mimic the dipping fabric. Next, transition into the sign for 'lay down.' Hold your non-dominant hand flat with the palm facing up. Place the back of your dominant 'U' hand onto the palm, representing a person resting.
Sign 'hammock' using the two-part motion, followed by the sign for 'sleep' to show what you did while resting in it.
After signing 'hammock,' you can point outside and use your hands to mimic the action of tying ropes around a tree trunk.
Sign 'hammock,' and then use your flat hands or 'U' hands to gently sway back and forth, showing the relaxing motion of the hammock in the breeze.
Sign 'hammock' using the two-part motion, followed by the sign for 'sleep' to show what you did while resting in it.
After signing 'hammock,' you can point outside and use your hands to mimic the action of tying ropes around a tree trunk.
Sign 'hammock,' and then use your flat hands or 'U' hands to gently sway back and forth, showing the relaxing motion of the hammock in the breeze.
It is a compound sign. The first movement establishes the physical shape of the object, while the second movement explains its function (a place to lay down). Together, they make the meaning unmistakable.
In ASL, the 'U' handshape (index and middle fingers extended together) often acts as a classifier for a person's legs. Placing it on your flat palm visually represents a person lying down on a surface.
Your arc should be comfortably wide, roughly the width of your shoulders. This gives a clear visual representation of a hammock without overextending your arms.
