Discussion on the process of translation and interpretation of Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) idiomatic expressions into Portuguese in a training course for Libras translators and interpreters

The translation and/or interpretation of idiomatic expressions in Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) into Portuguese is considered an interlingual interpretation, covering issues of a linguistic and cultural nature, which are necessary skills for a Libras interpreter. It is known that some expressions that make sense in one language, because they carry cultural and linguistic indicators, may become incomprehensible in another language if we are not culturally and socially inserted in the source language. Therefore, this study aims to delve deeper into the problem related to the difficulty of translating and interpreting idiomatic expressions without direct linguistic equivalence to Portuguese, with the main objective of reflecting on the process of teaching Libras as a second language (L2) in interpreter training courses, whilst analyzing the linguistic development of Libras from a bilingual perspective. The methodology employed makes use of the descriptive analytical approach of a scientific nature and, for this purpose, a bibliographic survey of publications on the linguistics of Libras (its semantics) was carried out; sign language translators and interpreters were offered a training course; and a questionnaire was administered to the Libras interpreters about the training process they had received, especially about the learning process related to the interpretation and translation of idiomatic expressions. This research used as a theoretical framework publications and authors who study the semantics and pragmatics of the language, such as Faria (2005), Karnopp (2006) and Albres (2006a, 2006b). As a result, it is expected that the study will be able to expand and disseminate the use of idiomatic expressions in Libras, awakening and encouraging interpreters to study the subject and challenging them to delve deeper into it. It is expected that the results obtained will encourage greater recognition and appreciation of all the cultural nuances that can be identified i...