Sense construction in Brazilian Signal Language (LIBRAS): a contrastive analyze among deaf speakers and listener speakers
Keywords: Libras. Language and cognition. Frames. Metaphor. Narrative.
ABSTRACT
This thesis aims to investigate how deaf Brazilian Language Signals’ (Libras) speakers construct meanings, basing on Cognitive Linguistic, particularly Language Neural Theory. According to the theoretical assumptions, this study uses categorization notions (LAKOFF, 1987; DUQUE, 2001, 2002); corporality (LAKOFF; JOHNSON, 1999; DUQUE; COSTA, 2011, 2012; BERGEN, 2008); and narrative (DUQUE, 2012; LAKOFF, 2008). In addition to this, it presents analytical categories as schemes-I (LAKOFF, 1987; JOHNSON, 1987); schemes-X (FELDMAN, 2006); frames (FILLMORE, 1976, 1982; DUQUE, 2015); Libras conceptual metaphors and metonymy (LAKOFF; JOHNSON, 1999, 1980, 2002; GIBBS, 1994, 1999, 2005). This thesis confirms sense meaning in narratives of the deaf Libras’ speakers links cognitive processes related to actions and perceptions in the world. In this sense, language is not apart from creator’s processes that reflect general thinking individual processes when they create their meanings and they adapt different interaction contexts with other subjects. This research has as corpus videos with deaf Libras’ speakers (experimental group) and deaf Libras’ listeners (control group), this study has a qualitative nature, with empirical methodology quasi-experimental (MONTERO; LEON, 2007). Data analyses point to the existence of models related to a particular way that deaf Libras’ speakers understand their relationships with the world and with specific concepts, cognitively built, using visual motor language. Neural circuity activation collaborates to the hypothesis that deaf Libras’ speakers explore visual field; they add other conceptual aspects related to the form and movement of the objects (spatial order, focus and attention); linguistic index (signals) that activate schemes-I and schemes-X, frames, and the signal that has a metaphorical and/or metonymical base. The critical analyze about the occurrences of cognitive signal by the speakers suggests Libras teaching must considerate cognitive processes activation mechanisms during language signalization, whose experiences appear in a not hearing space.