Marcadores prosódicos da libras: o papel das expressões corporias

Abstract

Even with the progress made in studies on sign languages, especially Libras, there is still much to be done. Particularly as regards the prosodic elements of Libras, expressed from non manual markers. This work aimed to describe the prosodic markers of Libras, trying to understand how non-manual markers work in the prosodic expression of Libras. The sources that served as the basis for this research were Leite (2008), Araújo (2013), Wilbur (2000), Quadros and Karnopp (2004), Capovilla and Raphael (2001) and Nascimento (2009). From these and other authors, we present an overview of prosody studies and then turn to studies for sign languages. Regarding the methodology, 12 propositions were produced in Libras, using as reference the work of Ovedeii (2017). After the careful study and translation of the statements, the recording was done in a studio with a blue background, with cold artificial lighting and a professional camera. All statements were recorded in a single day. A deaf participant was invited to reproduce the statements in Libras. The data produced were transcribed on the ELAN platform. The analysis showed that the non-manual trunk, head, upper facial expressions (forehead, eyebrow and eyes) and lower facial expressions (mouth, cheek and lips) are quite productive in Libras prosody, performing syntactic, morphological and parametric functions , but also expressing emotions, speech intentions and judgments about propositions. This research will serve as a basis for other research that intends to study the prosody of Libras, especially from non-manual markings.