Fake sign language interpreter at Mandela's memorial

[luvmy3]

This is why I said it was fodder for SNL. Can't you just see the actor making all sorts of "signs" that make you go as he portrays the fake interpreter?

Truly, if my DD14 had gone to a funeral/memorial and taken/been included in selfies of this nature, I would have lectured her on just how wrong it was and then taken her phone away for a while. And that's a 14 y.o.

If SNL doesn't run with this, they are missing an opportunity. It's as someone WORKED to give them material.

I know this is bad, but when I heard about it I thought of that old SNL skit where Garrett Morris is the interpreter for the deaf and he is just cupping his hands over his mouth and yelling in the background.

 

[SLP958]

Wow, what boggles my mind is the fact that he seemed to think he would get away with it. Did he not know that this event would be broadcast ALL OVER THE WORLD?

It shouldn't be funny, but it is. Watching him make those repetitive nonsense motions made me laugh. I could have done a better job interpreting just from what I've learned by watching Signing Time on Netflix.

I laughed too but didn't want to admit it!

 

[Deb in IA]

I know this is bad, but when I heard about it I thought of that old SNL skit where Garrett Morris is the interpreter for the deaf and he is just cupping his hands over his mouth and yelling in the background.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=butZyxI-PRs

Now, THAT was funny.
I asked some acquaintances who are deaf, and they had heard (no pun intended) about it and liked it too.

 

[EMom]

I know this is bad, but when I heard about it I thought of that old SNL skit where Garrett Morris is the interpreter for the deaf and he is just cupping his hands over his mouth and yelling in the background.

THANK YOU (shouting ala Garrett Morris) for reminding me of one funny skit.

DH and I have been known to repeat the "Generalissimo Francisco Franco is still dead" when the media is obsessed with a story, especially if it is about a famous person who just died.

 

[luvmy3]

THANK YOU (shouting ala Garrett Morris) for reminding me of one funny skit.

You're welcome. I'm just glad somebody else knew what I was talking about.

And thank you Deb for posting it!

 

[msjprincess]

ASL is actually the most commonly used in Africa. Many of their first teachers learned sign in America and brought it back. But the Deaf community there is very small and very few teachers know the full language. As with any language, I'm sure there are regional differences.
I think ASL is more like French Sign, and Britain sign is way different than ASL.

They don't use South African sign language in South Africa?

Edited

SASL is the primary language used in South Africa http://www.deafsa.co.za/sasl/

What is SASL?

SASL stands for South African Sign Language. South African Sign Language (SASL) is the primary language used by the Deaf community in South Africa. SASL was formally recognised in 1995, and is in the process of being codified. It is promoted as the language of various South African Deaf communities, although the Deaf in South Africa do not necessarily form a single group.

In addition to SASL and its regional and cultural variations, American Sign Language (ASL) is popular, although since 2006 the teaching of ASL has been officially discouraged.[2] Most local sign languages in South Africa show influence of German and American sign language.

SASL is the sign language that is used during television news casts in South Africa. There are around 40 schools for the Deaf in South Africa, most using a variety of SASL. Sign language is mentioned in the South African constitution, and the South African Schools Act permits the study of sign language in lieu of an official language studied at school.

 

[skatalite]

The fact that not one single person knew this guy was a fake interpreter scares me, and boggles my mind.

Look at this picture:

I may disagree with the POTUS on things, but this kind of security risk is unacceptable. The guy was within arm's length of not only our nation's leader, but other leaders from the global community. Bad things could have happened.

 

[Talking Hands]

Why get real interpreters when a fake one will do the whole thing and cost less. Interpreters who do platform interpreting do not normally interpret 4 hours straight. There would be a team of interpreters taking turns for about 20 minutes each.

 

[Talking Hands]

I want him at my funeral. My survivors will all be so

Would not want him at mine. I actually have deaf friends that deserve a real interpreter.

 

[tinatark]

I can't imagine why he wasn't removed before the service ended. Or that the secret service didn't realize he wasn't an interpreter and remove the POTUS from the situation.

The selfies were in very poor taste. Whether it was a celebration of life or a somber funeral, self photos were not appropriate!

 

[thedonduck]

I can't imagine why he wasn't removed before the service ended. Or that the secret service didn't realize he wasn't an interpreter and remove the POTUS from the situation. The selfies were in very poor taste. Whether it was a celebration of life or a somber funeral, self photos were not appropriate!

I guess in not understanding why the secret service would do anything in this situation. He was hired by SA to interpret this event (although his interpreting skills were obviously not checked). He wasn't a safety issue more so an embarrassment issue for the SA people. It has no reflection of the USA at all. Every single speaker used this same man

 

[Imzadi]

The fact that not one single person knew this guy was a fake interpreter scares me, and boggles my mind.

I may disagree with the POTUS on things, but this kind of security risk is unacceptable. The guy was within arm's length of not only our nation's leader, but other leaders from the global community. Bad things could have happened.

I guess in not understanding why the secret service would do anything in this situation. He was hired by SA to interpret this event (although his interpreting skills were obviously not checked). He wasn't a safety issue more so an embarrassment issue for the SA people. It has no reflection of the USA at all. Every single speaker used this same man

Yes, there is a HUGE difference in the people organizing and hiring staff for an event versus the people who do security.

I used to work for one of the top caterers in NYC. We did many events in which I had to have Secret Service clearance in order to work the events. That didn't mean I or anyone else necessarily knows how to do the jobs we were hired for. Just that we weren't a security risk for the people at those events.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

This is just totally eye opening. I would have never known that he was not a real interpreter as I know very little about signing.

My hope is that this man is stopped from doing any other signings.

Oh and I tape SNL so I may have to actually WATCH this one.

 

[sbtrfly74]

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet but on HLN this morning they said he is reporting to have Schizophrenia and signed only a few random recognizable words.

Not that its should really matter.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet but on HLN this morning they said he is reporting to have Schizophrenia and signed only a few random recognizable words.

Not that its should really matter.

Oh boy.

Who in the heck hired him?

 

[Jennasis]

Yeah, he is claiming he had a schizophrenic episode on stage. Of course that doesn't explain other instances (they had video) of him signing gibberish. They DID say one recognizable word he used repeatedly...HELP.

I think he is disturbed. How on earth does a sane person think that's acceptable or that they will get away with it??

 

[sbtrfly74]

Oh boy.

Who in the heck hired him?

I was just listening about this on the radio and they said the hiring company has vanished and cant be located. Paid him $85.00 which was lower than the normal rate and he was suppose to be switched out every 20 minutes with a new interpreter.

He was suppose to have a doc appointment that day to see if his meds were working (dont think so) because he was hearing voices and seeing angles flying into the arena while he was signing.

oh and he claims the hiring company knew about his mental illness.

 

[Liberty Belle]

Yeah, he is claiming he had a schizophrenic episode on stage. Of course that doesn't explain other instances (they had video) of him signing gibberish. They DID say one recognizable word he used repeatedly...HELP.

I think he is disturbed. How on earth does a sane person think that's acceptable or that they will get away with it??

Ok the help thing made me laugh. I hate things that shouldn't be funny, but are.

It reminds me of the Nigerian scams. Have you ever talked with one of those people? They ALWAYS keep trying and never admit its a scam no matter what you say to them.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I was just listening about this on the radio and they said the hiring company has vanished and cant be located. Paid him $85.00 which was lower than the normal rate and he was suppose to be switched out every 20 minutes with a new interpreter.

He was suppose to have a doc appointment that day to see if his meds were working (dont think so) because he was hearing voices and seeing angles flying into the arena while he was signing.

oh and he claims the hiring company knew about his mental illness.

Wow.

I would say that South Africa gets a TOTAL FAIL for security of our nation's leaders!!!

Grrrr....

 

[Imzadi]

Not sure if this has been mentioned yet but on HLN this morning they said he is reporting to have Schizophrenia and signed only a few random recognizable words.

Not that its should really matter.

I doubt that he has schizophrenia. I do think he has MOXIE for pulling that stunt and then trying to excuse it all by saying he has schizophrenia.