Discourses about the Role of the Educational Translater-Interpreter of Libras/Portuguese

ABSTRACT:

The educational translator-interpreter of Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS)/Portuguese is essential in an educational space that seeks to be inclusive for the deaf, however his/her role has been debated in view of the existing plurality regarding the disciplines and contexts in which these professionals work. Due to that, this work promotes a discussion in order to add to a construct that gradually makes a clearer perspective about the aspects that characterize the practice of an educational interpreter. For this, answers from 53 interpreters from different regions of Brazil, obtained through a questionnaire sent via Google Forms, which asked what their role in the educational field would be, were analyzed. From this, applying the method of content analysis, four categories were identified that pointed to the educational interpreter as: collaborator in the inclusion process, cultural mediator, co-trainer of the deaf student and linguistic mediator. It is understood that, in its complexity, the role of the educational interpreter has some ramifications that cannot be ignored, attributing to these professionals a place of indifference or excessive assistance in the teaching and learning processes. On the contrary, they must actively participate, understanding what characterizes their role, also based on dialogue with the institution, deaf students and the deaf community.

KEYWORDS:
Educational interpreter; LIBRAS; Inclusive Education; Deaf