The sign "self" = is, are, was, were for when stating a noun is a noun. It can be used as emphatic when it is for pronoun or adjective.


There are four different signs for “self” as it depends on who.
Self Reference
(me) self
(you) self
(other) self
(space neutral) self

Examples
(other) self 
My friend is a father. 
My friend is nice. 

(space-neutral) self 
The movie is a romance comedy. 
The movie is new. 

(you) self
You are a leader. 
You are rich. 

(me) self
I am a teacher. 
I am deaf.