DGS makes use of classifier handshapes also called classifiers [Morphology 5] to identify referents. These are bound forms which indicate semantic properties of the referent such as its shape, size or parts, making it easier to identify the referent in discourse. Classifiers denoting body parts of animate referents are body-part classifiers [Morphology 5.1.2], forms corresponding to an (in)animate object as a whole are entity classifiers [Morphology 5.1.1], and forms depicting the handling of animate and inanimate entities are handle classifiers [Morphology 5.1.3].
In DGS, entity classifiers and body-part classifiers refer to subject arguments expressing location or movement of the referents. On the other hand, handle classifiers stand for object referents and realize only some iconic properties of their referents on the verb. To allow interlocutors to keep track of a referent by its classifier handshape, the referent associated with this handshape should be introduced into the discourse beforehand. Examples showing body part (a), entity (b) and handling classifiers (c) in DGS are given below.
a. kindergarten child cl (Y): ‘person_walking’
‘The child goes to the kindergarten.’
(based on Happ & Vorköper, 2006: 157)
b. tablebookcl (|): ‘entity_lying_on_a_flat_surface’
‘The book is lying on the table.’
(based on Happ & Vorköper, 2006: 157)
c. man poss3 wife flower cl (#): ‘a_gives_b_thin_object’
‘The man gives a flower to his wife.’
(based on Happ & Vorköper, 2006: 161)