Situação linguística no oeste catarinense: bilinguismo libras/português de indivíduos surdos

Abstract

This research aims to describe the linguistic situation of Libras/Portuguese bilingualism among deaf individuals in Western Santa Catarina. Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) is a legitimate language, recognized as a legal means of communication and expression for the Brazilian deaf community by Law No. 10,436/2002 (BRASIL, 2002). This community can be considered bilingual as it uses both Libras and Portuguese. Considering the linguistic situation of Libras-Portuguese bilingual deaf individuals, there is still limited research in the field of linguistic diversity and change, particularly using the methodology of Pluridimensional Dialectology. Therefore, this research aims to contribute to linguistic studies, deaf and educational studies, as well as to the community in general, especially the deaf community. Based on the definitions of bilingualism postulated by Mackey (1972), Romaine (1995), Baker (2006), and Grosjean (1997, 2008), the research was conducted from the perspective of diversity and linguistic change, with a theoretical and methodological basis in Pluridimensional Dialectology, using the dimensions proposed by Thun (1998, 2005, 2009). The investigation was carried out through the diasexual dimension (female and male), diagenerational dimension (Generation I, 18 to 36 years old, and Generation II, 50 years old and above), diastratic dimension (lower class, from illiterate to basic education, and upper class, with higher education), and diatopic dimension (two points, one called Chapecó and the other, the Western Region, referring to four smaller cities in Western Santa Catarina: Concórdia, São Miguel do Oeste, São Lourenço do Oeste, and Xanxerê). Considering these dimensions, we examined their linguistic beliefs and attitudes, functions of using Libras and Portuguese, and bilingual self-recognition. Embedded in the research project "Atlas of Languages in Contact on the Border: Western Santa Catarina" (ALCF-OC) and approved by the Research Ethics Committee, this research was empirical in nature and employed a qualitative approach. Data collection was conducted through interviews with six (6) informants residing in the Chapecó area and seven (7) in the Western Region area, representing the other four (4) municipalities in Western Santa Catarina, totaling thirteen (13) informants. The interview instruments used included free conversation, semi-directed conversation, questionnaires, and participant observation. We conclude that the linguistic situation in Western Santa Catarina, considering the Libras/portuguese bilingualism among deaf individuals, cannot be defined from a single perspective, but is influenced by several factors, such as historical factors, linguistic beliefs and attitudes, functions of language use, and bilingual self-recognition, and how they shape the lives and relationships of these individuals. Thus, we confirm the reality of individual bilingualism among deaf individuals, considering two languages of different modalities.