3.1.3. Reciprocal markers

In Spanish Sign Language (LSE), some verbs can express reciprocity (where participants are both agents and recipients of the action). For one-handed agreement verbs, reciprocity is shown by using the non-dominant hand in a mirror movement opposite to the dominant hand, as seen with UNDERSTAND and GIVE in examples (1) and (2) (Rodríguez González, 1992, p. 261).

(We understand each other)

(We give each other the lottery ticket) 

In examples (1) and (2), both participants perform and receive the actions of UNDERSTAND and GIVE. In (1), palm orientation is crucial for determining who performs and receives the UNDERSTAND action with each hand, with the verbs' paths not crossing. In (2), the paths of GIVE cross each other as they are signed by each hand, clearly marking their origins and destinations.

For asymmetrical agreement verbs, like INVITE (Rodríguez González, 1992, p. 258), reciprocity is shown by repeating and inverting the verb, as shown in (3).

Some bimanual signs, such as TEACH in (4), mark reciprocity by repeating or using sequential reduplication, moving the verb from subject to object and vice versa.

With simple verbs that allow for reciprocity, the reciprocal meaning may be understood without explicit marking, as shown in (5).

Fernández-Soneira, A. y Villameriel García, S. (2025). Morphology: verbal inflection: agreement: reciprocal markers. En S. Villameriel García (Ed.), Gramática de la Lengua de Signos Española (GramLSE) / Grammar of Spanish Sign Language (GramLSE). Real Patronato sobre Discapacidad-Centro de Normalización Lingüística de la Lengua de Signos Española. Recuperado el dd de mes de aaaa de https://cnlse.es/es/recursos/gramlse/ingles/index/morphology/chapter-3-verbal-inflection/3-1-agreement/3-1-3-reciprocal-markers/

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