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'Brazilian Sign Language', also known as "Libras" (from "'Lí'ngua 'Bra'sileira de 'S'inais"), previously known as LSB or LGB, is the language of the Deaf communities of Brazil.

Contents

Recognition and status

Alphabet

Deaf and sign language organizations

See also

References

External links

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.

Alphabet

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

Deaf and sign language organizations

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

See also

★ Urubú-Kaapor Sign Language - another sign language of Brazil.

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

External links

★ www.libras.org.br - NGO with information and services relating to Libras.

★ Collection of links by "The Interpreters Friend".

★ Entrevista Com o Surdo Gay - IMDB info on movie in Libras.

★ Site from Brazil - IMDB info from brazil, very good.(Portuguese)