The sign "self" = is, are, was, were for when stating a noun is a noun. It can be used when stating a noun is an adjective and pronoun is either an adjective or a noun. 

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.