KAAPOR SIGN LANGUAGE: HISTORY AND IDENTITY

In the extreme north of Maranhao, in the Kaapor indigenous village, some indigenous people use their own sign language, without the influence of LIBRAS and unknown to almost everyone. Therefore, this article aims to investigate the history of Kaapor sign language among indigenous peoples as well as to know their identity. As a methodology, bibliographical research was used through books, dissertations, internet sites and scientific articles. Supported by the methodology, it was observed that one of the factors of the existence of the language is the generational transmission. It was discovered that due to the decrease in births of indigenous people with hearing impairment, language transmission may come to an end, thus causing the extinction of sign language, which is loaded with centuries of history and culture.