ASSESSMENT OF MOTOR COORDINATION IN DEAF PEOPLE: TRANSLATION OF THE ASSESSMENT INSTRUCTIONS INTO LIBRAS

ABSTRACT

The Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK Test) is a motor assessment battery widely used worldwide to diagnose motor coordination. It is practical to use, freely accessible, and inexpensive to produce. Several studies in literature have used it with the deaf population; however, there is no indication that its instructions have been translated into sign language. The translation of the KTK Test into the Brazilian Sign Language (LIBRAS, acronym in Portuguese) is unprecedented and represents an important step toward inclusion and respect for deaf culture. This study aimed to translate the instructions for the KTK Test into LIBRAS. To this end, a panel of experts composed of LIBRAS interpreters, deaf teachers, and bilingual hearing individuals was assembled. The study was conducted in five phases: 1) translation; 2) synthesis; 3) reverse translation; 4) semantic analysis; and 5) pilot study. It was possible to apply the Test in LIBRAS with deaf children, and the instructions were satisfactorily understood. This study enables improvements in school assessments, indicating new perspectives for understanding, comprehending and characterising the motor development of deaf children and adolescents. It is also believed in the need to validate the instructions in LIBRAS and propose intervention measures that provide opportunities for deaf individuals to participate in motor activities that respect the use of their first language.

KEYWORDS:
Deaf education; Motor assessment; Translation.