François Deysel, a professional sign-language interpreter, tweeted that the young man should have been removed from the stage, since none of his signs made sense. A man who stood close to President Barack Obama and other heads of state while providing sign language interpretation at Nelson Mandela’s memorial Tuesday was a “fake” who was making up his own gestures, sign language experts say, raising questions about the security at the event. Transcript for Interpreter at Mandela Memorial Called a 'Fake' South Africa thousands of mourners are turning out to view the body of Nelson Mandela lying in state now for the next three days. The SNL interpreter skit comes at a time that many citizens across the globe are still mourning the tragic loss of Nelson Mandela, but both the Deaf and others were recently shocked at the real-life debacle of what happened with the sign language interpreter at the peaceful man’s memorial service. It was a government event. Deaf people across the world were outraged after the imposter signed nonsense as he stood beside world leaders including Barack Obama When the man appeared last year with Zuma, a deaf person in the audience videotaped the event and gave it to the federation for the deaf, which analyzed the video, prepared a report about it and a submitted a formal complaint to the ANC, Druchen said. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. Druchen and three other sign language experts said the man was not signing in South African or American sign languages and could not have been signing in any other known sign language because there was no structure to his arm and hand movements. Legal Statement. explains more about how we use your data, and your rights. The sign language interpreter for President Obama and other world leaders at the Mandela memorial in South Africa Tuesday was a fraud. Log in, register or subscribe to save articles for later. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. In 2013 in South Africa, a fake interpreter appeared beside former President Barak Obama and other world leaders during a memorial service for Nelson Mandela, apparently signing gibberish. It just passed him by.”. And those hiring them usually don't sign, so they have no idea that the people they are hiring cannot do the job, she said. From Obama taking selfies and flirting with the Danish PM to a fake sign language interpreter. What was supposed to be a dignified, solemn ceremony for a beloved world leader turned into a comedy of errors. Apparently, the fake interpreter was not a creative gate-crasher, but rather was a fraud who makes money by getting himself hired to provide sign-language interpretation — "Interpreter For Deaf At Mandela Event Called Fake… Jugularremote. An imposter sign language interpreter crashed a Tampa police press conference. South Africa's deaf federation said on Wednesday that the interpreter on stage for Mandela memorial was a "fake." Spokesman Jackson Mthembu said: “I don’t know this guy. He doesn’t work for the ANC. Mr. Phony Sign Language Interpreter At Mandela Memorial - Obama Speech. Sign language interpreter is labeled a fake . He was not using any recognizable sign language. Three sign language interpreters say the man was not signing in any known language. '. South African sign language covers all of the country's 11 official languages. In a flap: The mystery man made nonsensical hand gestures, When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. The sign language interpreter accused of "making up" hand gestures at Nelson Mandela's memorial service has faced charges of murder, rape, kidnapping and theft, it was reported today. obama-sign-language-interpreter-south … What was supposed to be a dignified, solemn ceremony for a beloved world leader turned into a comedy of errors. Reply Retweet Favorite. Follow. "It is plain and simple abuse of the deaf community, they are taking advantage of the deaf community to make money.". They accused the man of "making up his own signs". US President Barack Obama delivers a speech next to the fake sign language interpreter during the memorial service for late South African President Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg. Questions are now being asked about security procedures and how he was able to share the stage with some of the 91 heads of state who attended. Three sign language interpreters say the man was not signing in any known language. Mr. Mandela deserved more respect than this. Kenan Thompson portrayed Thamsanqa Jantjie, the interpreter, during a speech given by President Barack Obama, played by "SNL's" resident president, Jay Pharoah. It was a government event.”. White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest said during a press briefing that he wasn't aware of any security concerns with the man being near Obama. In their complaint, the federation suggested that the man should take the five years of training needed to become a qualified sign language interpreter in South Africa. U.S. Secret Service Spokesman Brian Leary told FoxNews.com on Wednesday that the department is aware of the matter, but declined to elaborate. He made up his own signs. Legal Statement. “I was really upset and humiliated by the mystery interpreter who was supposed to be signing what Barack Obama, the president of United States of America, was saying. "This man himself knows he cannot sign and he had the guts to stand on an international stage and do that," Parkin said. 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