Brazilian Sign Language

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Libras (Brazilian Sign Language)
Signed in: Brazil 
Region: Cities
Total signers: ?
Language family: unknown
Language codes
ISO 639-1: none
ISO 639-2: sgn-BR
ISO/FDIS 639-3: bzs

 

Brazilian Sign Language, also known as "Libras" (from "ngua Brasileira de Sinais"), previously known as LSB or LGB, is the language of the Deaf communities of Brazil.

Contents

[edit] Recognition and status

Libras is well-established; several dictionaries, instructional videos and a number of articles on the linguistic features of the language have been published.

A strong sign language law was passed by the National Congress of Brazil on April 24, 2002, and (in 2005) is in the process of being implemented (see the law here (in Portuguese)). The law mandates the use of Libras in education and government services.

Educational approaches has evolved from oralism to Total Communication to bilingualism.

[edit] Alphabet

Libras fingerspelling uses a one-handed manual alphabet similar to that used by the French Sign Language family. See this link.

[edit] Deaf and sign language organizations

The peak deaf organization is FENEIS, the Federacao Nacional de Educacao e Integracao dos Surdos. There are a number of regional organizations in Curitiba, Caxias do Sul and Rio Grande do Sul.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  • Gama, Flausine José da Costa: Iconographia dos Signaes dos Surdos-Mudos.[Iconography of Signs for the Deaf-Mute]. Rio de Janeiro : E.+H.Laemmert 1875
  • Capovilla, F. C., and W. D. Raphael, eds. 2001. Dicionário enciclopédico ilustrado trilíngüe da Língua de Sinais Brasileira: Vols. 1 (Sinais de A a L) & 2 (Sinais de M a Z). [Trilingual illustrated encyclopedic dictionary of Brazilian Sign Language, Vols. 1 and 2] São Paulo: Edusp, FAPESP, Fundação Vitae, Feneis, Brasil Telecom. Volume One: ISBN 85-314-0600-5 Volume Two: ISBN 85-314-0603-X

[edit] External links

In other languages