Double mapping of the sign “vencer” (to win) in metaphoric contexts in Brazilian sign language

Abstract

The goal of this paper is to analyze the symbolic constructions of the sign “VENCER” ‘to win’ in Libras when used in metaphorical contexts by deaf people who live in Teresina-PI. In order to achieve this, we collected data from a collective interview in which we exposed the “VENCER” sign to 8 (eight) deaf informants, all of them fluent in Libras, residing in Teresina, and we asked them to report and explain in what contexts (or everyday communication moments) they used it. The data was analyzed from the perspective of Cognitive Semantics, more specifically, using the Conceptual Metaphors - Lakoff and Johnson’s (2002 [1980]) approach and the approaches of Taub (2001), Sherman Wilcox (2004) and Phyllis Wilcox (2005) about the double mapping in sign language metaphors. Eight different metaphorical contexts related to the use of the “VENCER” sign were identified: Games/Championships, Election, Discussion/Debate, Convincing/ Conquering, Overcoming, Absolute Superiority, Ejaculation and Use of inappropriate objects. They were related to the COMPETITION IS RACING metaphor, based on the double mapping (iconic and metaphorical) observed in each context, showing that, while there are multiple possibilities of metaphorical use for “VENCER”, there are noticeable systematicities.