Francielle Cantarelli Martins is a Deaf Brazilian linguist, professor, and researcher at the Universidade Federal de Pelotas (UFPel), known for her work in Brazilian Sign Language (Libras) terminology, deaf literature, and linguistic education. Her academic profile combines psychology, linguistics, education, and sign language scholarship, with a particular emphasis on documenting and standardizing Libras terminologies in specialized domains.
Early Life and Academic Formation
Francielle Cantarelli Martins holds a Doctorate in Linguistics from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, UFSC), awarded in 2018, and a Master’s in Education from UFPel, obtained in 2013[2]. Her earlier academic degrees include a graduation in Psychology from Universidade Católica de Pelotas, and in Letras/Libras (Libras Letters) from Universidade Federal de Santa Maria. She also has specialized training in Libras and Education Special (Faculdade Eficaz, 2011), and is undertaking (or has undertaken) pedagogy studies through the Instituto Federal de Educação de Surdos[2].
Academic Career and Positions
Martins is a faculty member (professor do Magistério Superior) in the Letras Libras / Literatura Surda program at UFPel. [2] She holds exclusive dedication (full-time) in this role. Her institutional entry to service was in 2012; specifically, she joined the public service on 09/10/2012, and began her UFPel affiliation on 19/08/2019[2]. She also teaches courses related to Libras studies, Deaf literature, sign language linguistics, and supervises student research in these areas[2].
Research Contributions
One of Martins’ major contributions is her doctoral thesis, titled “Terminologia da libras: coleta e registro de sinais-termo da área de psicologia” (Libras Terminology: collection and registration of sign-terms in the field of Psychology), defended in 2018 at UFSC, examines the terminologies used in Psychology in Libras, collecting and documenting how specialized terms are expressed in Libras, with methodology including term selection, validation by judges, development of terminological records, and publication in a Libras Glossary system. The thesis is publicly available in the UFSC repository as a PDF[1][2][3].
Beyond that, her research spans the intersection of Deaf linguistic education, Libras as first or additional language, special education, sign language terminology, and literatures produced by Deaf communities. She is involved in building corpora, glossaries, and didactic materials, and in projects that enhance visibility and structure of Libras terminology[2].
Recognition, Service, and Impact
Martins’ scholarly profile shows that she is an active researcher and professor with permanent status in her institution, and a strong engagement both in teaching and in extension and outreach (projects, curriculum development)[2].
Her work is particularly impactful because of its role in bridging gaps in specialized terminologies in Libras where documentation has been historically sparse, especially in Psychology, which has implications for Deaf professionals, interpreters, educators, and students. The availability of her doctoral thesis with full methodology and glossary records provides a resource for others in Libras linguistics and education[3].
- Google Scholar. (n.d.). Francielle Cantarelli Martins – Google Scholar Profile.
- Universidade Federal de Pelotas. (n.d.). Francielle Cantarelli Martins – Perfil institucional.
- Martins, F. C. (2018). Terminologia da Libras: coleta e registro de sinais-termo da área de psicologia. Doctoral Thesis in Psychology.
