3.7.2.6. Honorific pronouns

Honorific status [Pragmatics 1.1.2]indicating respect or distance between the two signers can be marked on pronominal pointing signs. In particular, a difference between second person singular formal and informal forms is expressed non-manually through the position of the body. Second person formal pronouns are produced with a slight backward lean of the body while second person informal pronouns are not accompanied with this non-manual.

 

a.         ix2[proximal]

                

b.         ix2[distal]

                

 

Another honorific pronoun which is rarely used in DGS and is mainly influenced by the spoken German is signed with a 2-handshape. The pointing direction of the thumb indicates the person of a higher status.

            ix2[honorific]