3.7.2.3. Clusivity
In DGS, plural pronouns can be inclusive or exclusive. First person plural pronoun ‘we’ is inclusive when the addressee (second person) is included in the class of the referents marked on that pronoun. The same pronoun is exclusive when the addressee is not included in the set of the referents. Moreover, not only the addressee but also any other discourse prominent referent can be excluded from the set of referents.Inclusive pronouns are produced proximate to the body with an arc movement. On the other hand, exclusive forms are produced distant from the body and slightly on the side, with the same movement.In DGS, extension of the fingers can indicate up to ten referents represented on both hands, which can be expressed either in inclusive or exclusive manner. The examples below illustrate inclusive (a) and exclusive (b) usages of the pronouns.
a. ix1+2pl (‘Two of us’) ix1+2+3pl (‘Three of us’) ix1+2+3+4pl (‘Four of us’) ix1+2+3+4+5pl (‘Five of us’)
(based on Papaspyrou et al., 2008: 138)
b. ix2+3apl (‘Two of them’) ix2+3a+3bpl (‘Three of them’) ix2+3a+3b+3cpl (‘Four of them’) ix2+3a+3b+3c+3dpl (‘Five of them’)
This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant Agreement No 693349.