Posted on 12/11/2013 6:31:44 PM PST by ransomnote
ou can't make things like this up, but this unnamed man apparently did.
From AP via My Way News (12/11/2013):
Mandela ceremony interpreter called a 'fake'
JOHANNESBURG (AP) - A man who provided sign language interpretation on stage for Nelson Mandela's memorial service, attended by scores of heads of state, was a "fake," the national director of the Deaf Federation of South Africa said on Tuesday.
Asked about the claim by The Associated Press, South Africa's government said it was preparing a statement.
Three sign language experts said the man was not signing in South African or American sign languages. South African sign language covers all of the country's 11 official languages, according to the federation. It wasn't immediately clear if the unidentified man was using a different method to communicate.
The unidentified man seen around the world on television next to leaders like U.S. President Barack Obama "was moving his hands around but there was no meaning in what he used his hands for," said Bruno Druchen, the federation's national director.
Nicole Du Toit, an official sign language interpreter who also watched the broadcast, said in a telephone interview that the man on stage purporting to sign was an embarrassment.
"It was horrible, an absolute circus, really really bad," she said. "Only he can understand those gestures."
South African parliament member Wilma Newhoudt, a member of the ruling party who is deaf, also said the man communicated nothing with his hand and arm movements. AP interviewed both Druchen, who also is deaf, and Newhoudt by telephone using an interpreter.
The man's identity hasn't been disclosed.
Video from UK's Telegraph:
(Excerpt) Read more at ex-skf.blogspot.com ...
Very appropriate, did Mandela really deserve the attention like a Pope that he got? I think not.
He was a “new school” signer. All the other sign language interpreters are old school.
I want to sign for Obama’s next speech.
The whole thing was a joke, a 5-hour joke. Nobody there gave a rat’s ass about Mandela.
HE'S THE ONLY ONE THAT KNOWS THAT LAGUAGE!!
It was a *fantastic* prank! That one Zulu pranked the entire ANC, Mandela, Obama, and Affirmative Action for 5 straight hours on one of the most-viewed events in History.
Epic.
Obama got punked.
Give this man a medal, he made fools of all those attending and all those worshippers watching!
He looked to me like he was repeating himself a lot. At least if you’re gonna fake it use more than 3 or 4 gestures over & over & over ......
Nah, Ebonics.
Did he sign in cursive?
Yes, Ebonics, if we like many American students, according to numerous studies, consider Mandela and this “interpreter” ‘African-Americans’.
I could read it! This is what he was signing:
“If you want your insurance you can keep it. If you like your doctor you can keep your doctor. Period.”
I watched it briefly with the sound off when Soetero was speaking, and I caught a couple of words the interpreter interpreted: “bunch ah” and “folks”.
He probably went to the Woody Allen Interpreters Institute.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lQFIZw9qog
The interpreter was delivering an appropriate message for the event-——
He was signing the Communist Manifesto.
What I find so darn funny about it all is that between this dolt doing his act, and our pos leader with his childish selfie, these have become the topic vs the rat that just died
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