The deaf community: etnographic observations about categories, leadership and tensions

Author(s)

Cibele Barbalho Assensio

• Document type: Master's Dissertation
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Faculdade de Filosofia, Letras e Ciências Humanas (FFLCH/SBD)
• Defense date: 2015-11-11

Examining board members

Jose Guilherme Cantor Magnani; Silvana de Souza Nascimento; César Augusto de Assis Silva

• Advisor: Jose Guilherme Cantor Magnani

Abstract

The objective of this work is to analyze a discursive field of practices that grants deafness a status of linguistic and cultural particularity. For this purpose, ethnographic research was conducted in spaces characterized by the presence of gestural-visual communication systems normalized in the form of the Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS). Research on historical aspects regarding deafness and integral disciplinary forms of LIBRAS was also undertaken. Following the course of deaf leaders in varied spaces was crucial in revealing a normativity in which deafness is affirmed and performed in terms of language and culture. At the same time, tensions, disputes and struggles are formed around this normativity. Identifying categories, such as deaf culture and deaf community, are constantly mobilized by professionals that act in defense of LIBRAS and are referenced primarily in terms of subjects classified as deaf. Ultimately, it was determined that deaf leaders occupy a prominent position in acting as spokespeople for the linguistic collective of LIBRAS speakers. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 13/16426-7 - Discoursing about language and culture: an analysis of FENEIS and its deaf leaders
• Grantee: Cibele Barbalho Assensio
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master