Implementing the translation and interpreting service of libras-portuguese in federal universities

Abstract

This article describes important elements of the operationalization of sign language translation and interpretation services in southern Brazil federal universities. Using as reference some authors of the disciplinary field of Translation Studies, such as Ozolins (2010), Baker and Saldanha (2009), Baker (2006), and Tymoczko (2007), this article discusses issues that involve community interpreting, its challenges and perspectives of implementation in the scope of public service in Brazil.  The methodological orientation follows the qualitative approach with focus on descriptive research. Therefore, a survey was carried out to analyze the situation of Brazilian Sign Language-Portuguese translators and interpreters who are regular civil servants and work at the federal universities of Brazilian southern states. The guiding questions for that matter are the following ones: who are the translators and interpreters of Brazilian sign language in southern Brazil? Which is the level of education of those professionals? The results registered 76 regular servants in the universities investigated, most of which have an undergraduate degree or specialization. Fewer of them have master's and doctoral degrees. Other results include their distribution by state and by university, and the areas of knowledge in which they have developed research so far.