Interpretação e tradução de libras/português dos conceitos abstratos crítico e autonomia

Abstract

The practice of the translator-interpreter of Libras (Brazilian Sign Language) involves several competences/skills, and, among them, some specific that can be understood and developed from the contributions of Cognitive Linguistics and, more strictly, Cognitive Semantics. Studies about the processes of human categorization, based on Corporeal Realism, have elucidated phenomena related to the influence of cognitive and cultural patterns in the way how conceptual categories are structured and act in the process of "making sense" of the biosociocultural experiences in varied situations of communicative interaction (e.g. LAKOFF, 1987; LAKOFF; JOHNSON, 1999). This is an empirical study, made under controlled conditions, using filming resources, handling of the ELAN software and transcription processes proper to Libras. In this study, of experimental character, abstract concepts are investigated, such as AUTONOMY and CRITICAL1, in the translation processes of the sign language, in a comparative study between groups (translators-interpreters and deaf) of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. The aim of the study was to identify the cognitive-linguistic processes in the translation activities from Portuguese to Libras by translators-interpreters; and from this to the comprehension expressed initially in Libras and, thereafter, in written Portuguese by deaf individuals. This translation process uses microtexts specially designed for this purpose and sufficiently contextualized to ensure pragmatic consistency. The methodological procedures follow six stages, divided into two versions. In the first version, the translator-interpreter of Libras had no prior knowledge of the microtext and, in the second version, the translatorinterpreter of Libras had prior knowledge of it. This research intended to raise hypotheses and empirical evidences that lead to the improvement of the Libras translator-interpreters' competence, in the comprehension processes and in elaborating constructions that express abstract concepts which have lexical/grammatical correspondents in Portuguese, but not necessarily in Libras. The results show that the performance of translators-interpreters was more appropriate in the second version, since prior knowledge of the text allowed more references for the choices made in the act of translating. This demonstrates that, in the spontaneous meaning of simultaneous interpretation, the translator-interpreter of Libras has to make faster and immediate choices which not always express the meaning intended in the speech source. Research findings reinforce the need for continued improvements of such professionals and advises them on the problems of interpretation and translation of abstract concepts/as well.