The matrix clause and the embedded role shift clause build a complex clause construction. DGS exhibits a very short prosodic break between the overt matrix clause and the subsequent role shifted part to indicate that they consist of a main clause and a subordinate clause, but are not two separate main sentences. In addition, the non-manual markers of the role shift may already start on the verb of the matrix clause. Thus, the matrix clause and the embedded role shift clause are prosodically integrated and form a complex clausal unit. An example is provided below with the verb tell.
rs:3b
last thursday m-a-r-c ixcontra p-e-t-e-r ixipsi meetixcontra tell ix1 want tomorrow cinema ix(loc)a
‘Last Thursday Marc told Peter that he wants to go to the cinema tomorrow.’
(based on Hübl, 2016)