ANÁLISE LEXICOGRÁFICA E SEMÂNTICA EM OBRAS DE REFERÊNCIAS: UMA TRÍADE ENTRE O CONCEITO, SIGNIFICADO E SENTIDO DA LIBRAS

Abstract

Despite advances in research in the field of linguistics, gaps are still observed in the understanding of the semantic-pragmatic organization of the concept, meaning, and sense of signs and the lexicon of Brazilian Sign Language (Libras). In this context, the language was understood not only as an object of study but also as a means of communication and interaction for deaf individuals in different social groups, which highlighted limitations in lexical records, often restricted to glosses and lacking full vocabulary completeness. Given this, the aim of this research was to analyze the descriptive aspects of the Libras lexicon, investigating, from a lexicographic and semantic perspective, “the concept, meaning, and sense” of lexical items. In the theoretical field, it was found that linguistic studies of sign languages were deepened by Stokoe in the 1960s, whose descriptive analysis of American Sign Language (ASL) significantly contributed to the development of the field by proposing advances beyond glosses in lexical records. The adopted methodology was qualitative and bibliographic in nature, involving the analysis of two bilingual Portuguese/Libras dictionaries based on aspects of macrostructure and microstructure. For analytical purposes, the triad “concept, meaning, and sense” was defined as the central axis, from which the following questions were formulated: (i) What should be considered to make the recording of Libras signs more complete in lexicographic works? (ii) How has the Libras lexicon been recorded? (iii) Regarding macrostructure and microstructure, in which aspects can the elements' concept, meaning, and sense contribute to the lexicographic records of Libras? The results showed that lexicographic records of Libras have been predominantly focused on glosses and equivalences in Portuguese, presenting gaps in the conceptual, semantic, and contextual description of entries. The analysis revealed inconsistencies in both the macrostructure and microstructure of the works, as well as the absence of precise delimitation of uses and meaning values in discursive contexts. It was concluded that there is a need to advance toward more descriptive and systematic lexicographic proposals that consider Libras in its own linguistic organization. The incorporation of the triad “concept, meaning, and sense” proved fundamental for constructing more complete records aligned with the linguistic reality of the deaf community, also highlighting the relevance of monolingual dictionaries in Libras.