2.2.1. Prosodic word
DGS exhibits assimilation processes between signs. In inherent compounds [Morphology 1.1.], for instance, DGS shows systematic assimilation of the two units that now form a single prosodic word. The DGS compound think^same means ‘agree’ and is composed of one syllable structure (HMH) that is derived from two syllable structures (HM+(MH)2). Other instances of assimilation [Phonology 3.1.1.] concern functional elements, such as the index sign, which may assimilate to nouns or referents (as in cliticization) and also elements such as the personal agreement marker (pam), where handshape assimilation takes place, e.g. the abcde-handshape in proud_pam. Furthermore, mouthing has been shown to spread onto such adjacent functional signs like pam. Negative head shake has been said to be able to spread onto the subject in cases where the subject is a pronoun, even though DGS negation does not in principle allow spreading over the subject.