CHALLENGES OF TRANSLATORS AND INTERPRETERS OF LIBRAS AND DEAF STUDENTS IN REMOTE CLASSES IN PANDEMIC TIMES

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to discuss difficulties encountered by translators, interpreters of Libras and deaf students during remote classes in times of the Covid-19 pandemic. For that, we based on qualitative research. We used an open questionnaire created in Google Forms as a methodological instrument. Two educators who are translators and interpreters of Libras and a deaf student participated in this study. These educators work in public schools in the cities of Camutanga and Garanhuns. Referring to the deaf student, he is enrolled in high school at a public school in the city of Sertânia. These cities are located in the state of Pernambuco, northeast of Brazil. Data collection was carried out in February and March 2022. We used content analysis as a procedure to understand the data collected. The results indicated that Libras interpreters were not present in all remote activities; some deaf students did not have the technological resources to follow the remote classes; those deaf who had some technological resource did not have a good connection; and the mediation of family members, in the teaching-learning process in remote classes, were important for the learning of deaf students. Therefore, social and economic inequalities in Brazil hampered the schooling process of Brazilian students, especially those who have some kind of special educational need, such as deaf students.