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The Sign Language Interpreter at Nelson Mandela’s Memorial Was a Fraud

In what may be the funniest story this week, at least to me, it’s been discovered that the sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service was a fake. You could tell because the deaf started signing to each other, “What the hell is this?”

The fraud stood beside world leaders including Obama and simply signed nonsense. Bruno Druchen, director of the Deaf Federation of South Africa, said on Wednesday that heĀ “was moving his hands around but there was no meaning in what he used his hands for.”

The government plans to investigate the matter but haven’t gotten to it yet because it’s been busy organizing a public viewing of Mandela’s body in Pretoria. Or as the signer would say, “Ford Pinto blue fish gummy bears.”

Ingrid Parkin, principal of the St. Vincent School for the Deaf in Johannesburg, said she’s received complaints from the deaf community from Canada to China about the man on stage and that his movements look “like he’s signing gibberish.” He also used no facial expression to convey the emotions of the leaders, a key element of sign language interpretation.

“This man himself knows he cannot sign and he had the guts to stand on an international stage and do that,” Parkin said.

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.”

This man must have the biggest balls in the world to stand next to world leaders and pretend to sign. Add to the fact that this isn’t the first event he’s worked at and you almost feel a little inspired by him. Which is unbelievable considering all his signs are practically the same for every sentence. His interview probably consisted of one question, “Can you sign?,” followed by him emphatically nodding his head.

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Chad Tabary
Chad Tabary
10 years ago

That’s security. Definitely. Watch his eyes. Hysterical though.

Kyle Richards Is A Whore
Kyle Richards Is A Whore
10 years ago

Blacks being frauds? NO WAY!?