Are these sign language people for real?

freerepublic.com ^ | May 30, 2020 | Texas Eagle

[Texas Eagle]

I'm watching Gov. Walz ('RAT-MN) press conference and the lady doing the sign language is just over the top with her facial expressions and signing motions. I think she is just making stuff up.

[frank ballenger]

I made the joke last week:
Watching Gretchen Whitmer’s translator for the hearing impaired she seems to be linking the people of Michigan with an upraised middle finger in almost every paragraph.

[napscoordinator]

Actually she’s probably doing it correct. She’s very experienced. Facial expression is part of it. Problem is most sign language interpreters are not good.

[davius]

I’m intrigued that Gilbert Gottfried is moonlighting as a signer.

[aquila48]

Oh, but they are so inclusive!

You wonder how many deaf people bother to watch TV.

[ronniesgal]

i thought i was the only one! It’s distracting as hell.

[dandiegirl]

They are so distracting and hilarious to watch.

[Bigg Red]

::Why do we need sign language people in the first place?::

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That’s what I always ask. Perhaps there is some requirement mandated by the ADA regulations that each and every state and local government official has to have one of these distracting creatures.

I can understand the need if the speaker is not reading from a prepared statement, but, otherwise just put the statement in the crawl.

[No.6]

“Some guy” is Garrett Morris. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0606541/

[elcid1970]

What? No Helen Keller jokes yet?

[Bigg Red]

::The silly, little tin pot tyrants and their mimes.::

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Perfect!

[mylife]

My Great Grandparents were deaf and mute, it was weird to watch and I never did figure it out.

[hsmomx3]

I have seen MANY who have displayed angry facial expressions and what appears to me to be aggressive hand gestures. Seems forceful, not cordial.

[BradyLS]

There was a signer during one the hurricanes a while back. At a televised presser, there was a row of serious, frown-faced officials, the PIO speaking in measured tones, and the signer going a mile-a-minute, waving his arms, making big faces, and basically had all the attention focused on himself. I think he did two pressers before being replaced by a more sedate signer. The original signer said he was being serious and exaggerated his signing to be more clearly understood.

[piasa]

Hallelujah Trail sign language mishap:

https://youtu.be/EAS6IRGz5CQ

[Cecily]

Georgia governor Brian Kemp has one who is hilarious. He looks just like David Letterman after retirement in full beard.

[Hot Tabasco]

just over the top with her facial expressions and signing motions.

I thought I was the only one noticing.......LOL!

I don't know what purpose they serve since any hearing impaired person watching TV would likely have closed captioning on......Maybe it's an ADA thing.

[SamAdams76]

Yes, I remember the name now. I remember an interview of him many years back in which he appeared bitter about being the "token black" on the early SNL. Of course, there have been very talented blacks on the show since. Kenan Thompson is one of the best cast members of all time.

Here is a relatively recent skit featuring Kenan. Which shows that SNL can still be relevant and funny when they move away from partisan politics.

[chris37]

Thanks!

They should put mime makeup on. They are so utterly ridiculous that I can’t even watch them.

[BradyLS]

Beacause the deaf don’t have close-captioning when they speak to one another or with those who can hear.

[Ruy Dias de Bivar]

I believe there are three types of sign language.

One, as we see waves his hands around in the air.

The second, uses just one hand and finger positions shows what he is saying.

Indian sign language. Not used but it was communication between ancient tribes. I’ve read that it is actually easier to learn than the other two types.