[Dante of the Inferno]

Originally Posted by Oblivion0101

I have another question, but I don't know if anyone has the answer. When Rika talks to people she never uses the Japanese honorifics. Anyone know why?

Spoiler for Personal Interpretation - WARNING: Wall of Text:

In the beginning, i.e. VERY early on in life, Rika probably used the honorific endings (-kun, -chan, -san, etc.). However, such honorifics are usually used by someone who is considered above, below, or equal in status (or age) to someone else. I don't believe Rika views herself as any of those things, so she does not use them at all. To reinforce this point, consider her attributes: she is the head of one of the three Great Houses of Hinamizawa (-san), she is the "head priest" of the Furude Shrine (-sama), she is considered the "reincarnation of Oyashiro-sama," and she is a Traveler, but she is also a child (-kun) who is known by everyone and who knows everyone (-chan). As such, Rika is integrated into all aspects of Hinamizawa life, and therefore doesn't feel the need to distinguish herself from anyone else.

While we're on the topic of honorifics, note that anyone who talks to Rika (aside from Satoko - her closest friend, and Hanyuu - her guide) calls her Rika-chan (again, suggesting a sign of equal status) or Rika-chama (a "baby version" of -sama or a baby variant of -chan) by the village elders. The younger students and the older students all call her Rika-chan. Even Oryou, the village chief, Doctor Iriie, and Detective Oiishi call her Rika-chan. As such, it seems that everyone in Hinamizawa, regardless of authority level, views her as an equal. Therefore, Rika simply eliminates the honorifics from her speech altogether, as a mutual sign of equality and respect.