| Also Known As: Lsb,São Paulo Sign Language
Description:
Brazilian Sign Language, also known as "Libras" (from "Língua Brasileira de Sinais") and previously known as LSB, LGB or LSCB (Brazilian Cities Sign Language), is the language of the Deaf communities of urban Brazil.
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 . The law mandates the use of Libras in education and government services.
Educational approaches has evolved from oralism to Total Communication to bilingualism.
Libras fingerspelling uses a one-handed manual alphabet similar to that used by the French Sign Language family.
There are 44 distinct handshapes used in the language.
The most important deaf organization is FENEIS, the Federação Nacional de Educação e Integração dos Surdos (National Federation of Deaf Education and Integration). There are a number of regional organizations in Curitiba, Caxias do Sul and Rio Grande do Sul...... full article at Wikipedia |
