absolute honorifics; absolute respectful speech
Linguistic term for honorific expressions whose use is determined by the speaker's relationship to the referent, not by the addressee. Contrasts with 相対敬語 (relative honorifics).
Japanese honorifics include a distinction between absolute and relative honorifics.
絶対敬語は、話し手と話題の人物との関係だけで決まる敬語だ。
Absolute honorifics are honorific expressions determined solely by the relationship between the speaker and the person being talked about.