Kaʼapor Sign Language: A Unique Village Sign System of Brazil
In the state of Maranhão, Brazil, the Kaʼapor people utilize a distinct form of communication known as Kaʼapor Sign Language (also referred to as Urubu or Urubu–Kaʼapor Sign Language). Unlike national sign languages, this is a village sign language—a system that develops within a small, isolated community where a high incidence of deafness exists among the population.
Because the language is integrated into the daily life of the village, it is not used exclusively by the deaf. Instead, it serves as a shared medium of communication that bridges the gap between hearing and non-hearing community members.
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Key Facts
- Location: Maranhão, Brazil.
- Ethnicity: Kaʼapor people.
- User Base: Used by both deaf and hearing members of the community.
- Word Order: Object–Subject–Verb (OSV).
- Temporal Orientation: Past is located in front; future is located behind.
- ISO 639-3 Code: uks.
Community and Usage
The development of Kaʼapor Sign Language was driven by a relatively high ratio of deafness within the tribe. In 1968, linguist Jim Kakumasu observed that there were seven monolingual deaf individuals in a population of approximately 500. This ratio—roughly 1 in 75 people—necessitated a visual language that the entire community could adopt.
As a result, most hearing children in the community grow up bilingual, fluent in both the spoken Kaʼapor language and the signed version. While the current status of the language is unknown, reports suggest that other Indigenous tribes in the region also use sign languages or employ sign language pidgins—simplified versions of languages used for communication between groups who do not share a common tongue.
Linguistic Characteristics
Kaʼapor Sign Language possesses several unique grammatical and structural features that distinguish it from sign languages of European origin, such as American Sign Language (ASL), Auslan, or New Zealand Sign Language.
Temporal Perception
One of the most striking features is how the language handles time. In Kaʼapor Sign Language, the past is located in front of the signer, while the future is located behind. Linguists suggest this may reflect a specific worldview where the past is viewed as something visible and known, whereas the future remains unknowable.
Grammar and Syntax
The language follows an object–subject–verb (OSV) word order. Additionally, it utilizes non-manual features—facial expressions and body movements—to convey grammatical mood. For example, conditional and imperative moods are indicated by tensing facial muscles and widening the eyes.
Questions are identified by a specific question sign placed either before or after the clause. This sign is described as a slight wrist twist while moving the index finger toward the addressee.
Universal Sign Features
Despite its unique traits, the language shares commonalities with other sign languages worldwide, such as the use of name signs, which are specific signs used to identify individuals without spelling out their names.
Language Summary
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Region | Maranhão, Brazil |
| Language Family | Village sign language |
| ISO 639-3 Code | uks |
| Glottolog Code | urub1243 |
| Word Order | Object–Subject–Verb (OSV) |
| Temporal Logic | Past (Front) / Future (Behind) |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a village sign language?
A village sign language is a unique sign system that emerges spontaneously within a small community with a high proportion of deaf residents, often resulting in hearing members becoming bilingual in sign and speech.
How does Kaʼapor Sign Language differ from ASL?
Unlike American Sign Language, Kaʼapor Sign Language uses an object–subject–verb word order and places the past in front of the signer and the future behind.
Who uses Kaʼapor Sign Language?
It is used by the Kaʼapor people in Maranhão, Brazil, including both the deaf community and hearing members who grow up bilingual.
How are questions formed in this language?
Questions are marked by a specific sign involving a slight wrist twist and the movement of the index finger toward the person being addressed.
What do the non-manual features indicate?
Non-manual features, such as widening the eyes or tensing facial muscles, are used to mark imperative and conditional grammatical moods.