Comunidade surda: notas etnográficas sobre categorias, lideranças e tensões

The objective of this work is to analyze a discursive field of practices that grants deafness a status of linguistic and cultural particularity.For this purpose, ethnographic research was conducted in spaces characterized by the presence of gestural-visual communication systemsnormalized in the form of the Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS).Research on historical aspects regarding deafness and integral disciplinary forms of LIBRAS was also undertaken.Following the course of deaf leaders in varied spaces was crucial in revealing a normativity in which deafness is affirmed and performed in terms of language and culture.At the same time, tensions, disputes and struggles are formed around this normativity.Identifying categories, such as deaf culture and deaf community, are constantly mobilized by professionals that act in defense of LIBRAS and are referenced primarily in terms of subjects classified as deaf.Ultimately, it was determined that deaf leaders occupy a prominent position in acting as spokespeople for the linguistic collective of LIBRAS speakers.