Workshop on linguistic aspects of Libras at the University of São Paulo

The I Semana de Encontros Plurais (1st Week of Plural Encounters), organised by Pluraliza, a group of students at the University of São Paulo’s Faculty of Philosophy, Languages and Literature, and Human Sciences (FFLCH), brought together workshops, open classes and talks on languages, cultures and plurilingualism from 26 to 30 October 2026. At the group’s invitation, on the 29th I ran the workshop on Libras, aimed at people who had never studied the language. Over two hours, we looked at the difference between language modalities, the structure of signs, the use of space and classifiers, and some common myths about sign languages.

Learning a language and learning about it are different things. For people who have never come into contact with Libras, understanding how it is organised helps to dispel common assumptions, such as the idea that it is universal or a signed version of Portuguese, and to recognise it as a language, with its own grammar and a community of users. That recognition has practical consequences. Decisions on education and access to information depend on it, and it is what allows accessibility to be connected with Deaf people’s linguistic rights. That is why I see studying Libras as a language as a good starting point for anyone who intends to learn it or to work with Deaf people.

To close, participants were given suggestions for reading and reference and the recommendation to take a Libras course, preferably with Deaf teachers.