highest honorifics; honorific language for the Imperial family
A linguistics term for the most exalted level of honorific speech, used almost exclusively when referring to or addressing members of the Japanese Imperial family.
Saikō-keigo is a special honorific language used toward members of the Imperial family.
Expressions like 'okotoba' and 'gozen' are examples of highest honorifics.
敬語 is the general term for honorific language, while 最高敬語 specifically refers to the highest level used for the Imperial family.
尊敬語 is respectful language for elevating the subject, but 最高敬語 is an even more exalted form reserved for the Imperial family.
Compound of 最高 (highest) and 敬語 (honorific language). The term is a modern linguistic classification for the most elevated register of Japanese honorifics.