3.7.2.6. Honorific pronouns
In LSC pointing signs directed to the upper part of the signing space convey specific meanings, such as locatives [LEXICON 3.7.1], and non-specificity [PRAGMATICS 1.4].
In this subsection, we will see a third meaning that personal pronouns can convey if associated with the upper part of the signing space, namely that of a prominent position in the social scale of the entity denoted by the pronoun [PRAGMATICS 1.1.2].
ix3 government
(recreated from Barberà, 2012: 116)
Since personal pronouns directed to the upper part of the signing space can be used to denote a hierarchical relation of superiority (referring to the individual who is higher in the social scale), the contrast between the upper and lower frontal plane is associated with asymmetrical relations such as boss and worker or parents and children.
However, it should be noted that reference to the upper part of the signing space does not reflect real heights, but a linguistic convention. In other words, even if the individual who is associated with a lower position in the social scale is taller in a real-world situation, the personal pronoun will still be directed to the lower part of the signing space.
Personal pronouns can co-appear with lexical signs that refer to entities that are higher in the hierarchical structure. In this case, pronouns inherit the location of those entities and, therefore, they are executed in the same part of the signing space.
Apart from using the upper part of the signing space, LSC also uses the sign personpr and the x handshape to mark politeness in first, second and third person.
person3 ix2pl with x handshape