Sign language and the presence of orofacial discourse during signing: A contribution from cognitive semantics

Abstract

This research aims to reflect on the importance of the grammatical phonomorphological components of sign language in relation to the comprehension of sentences produced in sign language, occurs in two phenomena, the translation and interpretative choices from the source language to the target language, observing the grammatical aspects when signed. The research aims to verify and analyze the linguistic operations of understanding the deaf, during simultaneous interpretation, in relation to syntagmatic attributions, when they have their field of vision reduced, that is, they suffer losses of linguistic elements of phonomorphological aspects (facial expressions), due to the use of the mask against the COVID-19 virus. The research methodology is a qualitative research, followed by procedures such as: collection of data collected from deaf people and translators-interpreters; categorize the use of interpretive choices during signage, “with” and “without” the use of protective masks against the coronavirus. The purpose of the research is to verify that the impossibility of visualizing linguistic elements interferes with users’ comprehension when interpreting sign language/Libras. The expected results aim to prove the great importance of these linguistic elements of sign language in understanding the enunciations and sentences spoken in Portuguese, as well as highlighting the difficulties faced by the deaf community during the pandemic period.
Keywords: Linguistic parameters. Non-manual markers. Cognitive processes. Mouthings. COVID-19.