Estudos do léxico da Libras: realização dos processos flexionais na fala do surdo

Abstract

Considering the vast field of investigation of the linguistic aspects of Libras, we identified in the possibility of describing the inflectional processes that are present in the spontaneous speech of the deaf person, the opportunity to contribute to the studies in the area for the enhancement of the diffusion and continuity of Libras in linguistics and history, describing, documenting and recording their linguistic phenomena. As such, this study had as general purpose to analyze and describe the phenomena of gender and number inflection of Libras from the Descriptive Linguistics approach, based not only on formal characteristics of the phenomena, but also on the effective use of these forms that are present in the general use of Libras, also considering the morphological and semantic aspects of contemporary Libras. In order to achieve this goal, we proposed: to raise and categorize the inflectional processes that occurred in the speech of a deaf teacher in higher education; and, identify and describe the rules of combination that organize gender and number inflection in these signs. Regarding the methodological theoretical framework, the study was based on the qualitative descriptive approach and adopted as a methodological procedure the theoretical and basic literature review. As a theoretical contribution, the present study was based on the studies by Aronoff (1997), Aronoff, Meir and Sandler (2005), Azeredo (2008), Câmara Jr. (1987), Rocha (2008), compared to the linguistic process of inflection; and, in the studies by Felipe (1998), Ferreira Brito (1995), Quadros and Karnopp (2004), in relation to the specific inflectional process of Libras. We used as a data collection instrument the semi-structured interview from a flexible script applied to a deaf teacher who has Libras as a mother tongue and teaches it as a second language in undergraduate courses, that is, he uses Libras in formal and informal environments. The data collection was based on the spontaneous speech videos of the deaf research participant, which was analyzed in view of the theoretical approach. As a result of the study, we identified the mechanisms of animated and inanimate gender inflection, which, according to Felipe (1998), is performed through the classification of morphemes that are affixed to the verbal or nominal root. In respect to male and female gender mechanisms, it was possible to identify that MAN and WOMAN signs may perform different functions depending on the context, and may also be used as free morphemes with independent meaning or as affixes, suffixed or prefixed to other lexical items to mark gender. With Aronoff (1997) it was possible to observe that sign languages have a mandatory inflectional system, however, they manifest themselves in a particular way in which the inflectional categories, such as gender, can be established irregularly, that is, in a non-universal way. Concerning to the number inflectional processes related to names materialized in the spontaneous speech of the deaf research participant, we identified the process of internal modification of the root by the mechanism of embodied numbers from one to four; changes in movement and directionality by the anteposition or postposition of numerals and the signals VARIOUS, GROUP, MAJORITY, SOME, beyond the sign VERY indicated by Ferreira Brito (1995); anteposition or postposition of classifier; and also by the repetition of the signal. Among the morphological inflectional processes (intra-segmental morphology, suprasegmental morphology and simultaneous segmental) we identified the expressive use of segmental morphology by sequential or linear composition of signals, which are articulated to produce plural meaning. We expect that the study presented here will contribute to a better understanding of nominal inflectional process of Libras in the context of Descriptive Linguistics, and also, promote the dissemination and the scientific recognition of Libras' linguistic status.