THE USE OF CLASSIFIERS IN BRAZILIAN SIGN LANGUAGE

This paper aims to discuss the use of classifiers in Brazilian Sign Language (Libras), and to present a pilot study about classifier production done with five adult Deaf signers. All of them are Libras users for many years (on average 28: 8 years) and they also have been acting as Libras instructors for hearing adults and also for Deaf children. These subjects were asked to perform a test for sign language production (American Sign Language Assessment Instrument - ASLAI) elaborated for ASL classifier production and adapted for Libras classifier production. This task, created by Robert Hoffmeister and his staff (Hoffmeister et al., 1990), elicits classifier production, including pluralization (quantifying) and objects organization, parts of body, primary and secondary relations, in simple and complex constructions. As a result, there are plenty of handshapes used in specific classifier constructions, pointing to a regular production of classifiers, even among native, or near native signers, and in late signers.