The man seen by millions across the world on ⦠Obamaâs speech gets a better version of the sign language interpreter: heâs also an interpretive dancer (played by Kenan Thompson). Millions of TV viewers saw Jantjie, 34, interpreting speeches by Barack Obama and other global leaders at the FNB stadium in Johannesburg. Dec. 10, 2013: President Barack Obama looks down as he stands next to the sign language interpreter as he makes his speech at the memorial service for ⦠Deaf people watching the Nelson Mandela memorial were bemused and shocked by a "fake" sign language interpreter on stage whose gestures were unintelligible, activists said Wednesday. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. He cannot sign. Hearing teachers in deaf schools, such as Charles-Michel de l'Épée ⦠", It was like getting somebody off the street and telling them to flap their hands around. Many other members of the deaf community, including the hearing-impaired and qualified interpreters took to social media to express their outrage, labelling the man who was tasked with signing Obama's speech a "charlatan". ET. He had an official security pass round his neck, but no-one seems to know who he is, raising serious security questions. "Saturday Night Live" devoted its opening sketch to what was last week's most bizarre story: the scandal surrounding the sign language interpreter who said he has schizophrenia and was hallucinating while signing at Nelson Mandela's memorial service.. Kenan Thompson portrayed Thamsanqa Jantjie, the interpreter, during a speech given by President Barack Obama, played by ⦠"If he values his life he must come clean because the deaf community throughout the world are outraged. One year on from the death of Nelson Mandela, Thamsanqa Jantjie, the fake sign language interpreter who appeared at the leader's memeorial service, is attempting a change of career Sign language interpreters help people who ⦠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. He knows that the deaf cannot vocally boo him off. They accused the man of "making up his own signs". "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. The "fake" sign language interpreter who stood feet away from world leaders including President Barack Obama at Nelson Mandela's memorial has been committed to ⦠Gestures that explain the world. An American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter is someone trained to translate between spoken English and ASL. On hand to translate ⦠He couldn't even say thank you," she said. 'A complete fraud': the man pretending to be a a sign language interpreter punches the air during a speech being given by India's President Pranab Mukherjee. There is a common misconception that sign languages are somehow dependent on spoken languages: that they are spoken language expressed in signs, or that they were invented by hearing people. As Mr Zuma reinterpreted a traditional resistance song Shoot the Boer, the interpreter gestured with his hands making machine gun actions and running motions. The "other issues" he was referring to would include the handshake between Obama and Cuban leader Raul Castro, and the selfie taken by Obama, British Prime Minister David Cameron and Prime Minister Helle Thorning Schmidt of Denmark. he tweeted. When Obama begins discussing the health care website, and admits he hasnât been âentirely thrilledâ with the results, weâre treated to the âThrillerâ dance. Bogus sign language interpreters are a problem in South Africa, because people who know a few signs try to pass themselves off as interpreters, said Parkin, the principal of ⦠", A government spokesperson told IOL News that they did not know what had happened but âWe need time to get to the bottom of this.â. What was supposed to be a dignified, solemn ceremony for a beloved world leader turned into a comedy of errors. Sign language experts and deaf viewers complain that the interpreter at Nelson Mandela's memorial service was a "fake" who was "signing rubbish". White House Regrets Distraction: Asked about the apparently bogus interpreter, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said Wednesday that "it's a shame that you had a service that was dedicated to honoring the life and celebrating the legacy of one of the great leaders of the 20th century has gotten distracted by this and a couple of other issues that are far less important than the legacy of Nelson Mandela.". Many in ⦠"It was like getting somebody off the street and telling them to flap their hands around," said Loening. According to The Guardian, "members of South Africa's deaf community has [sic] previously raised concerns about the interpreter, who has been used at other African National Congress events.". Many in the deaf community are outraged because the man appeared to be faking. The memorial service for Nelson Mandela featured a sign language interpreter. All signs suggest Obama's interpreter for the deaf was fake. ET. IOL, a news site from South Africa's Independent Newspapers, reports that "government spokeswoman Phumla Williams said she was unable to respond to the allegations immediately, as she did not know which department procured the service provider. As Obama provided an ⦠Nelson Mandela memorial: âBogusâ sign language interpreter made mockery of Barack Obamaâs tribute in Soweto. Deaf people across the ⦠Lingua-World Johannesburg is offering additional certified courses in sign language.. W hen the great Nelson Mandela died in 2013 and was laid to rest in a dignified memorial service, the speeches by politicians including Barack Obama were translated into sign language by an interpreter, but something wasnât right. In reaction to the news that the sign language interpreter who was supposed to be translating speeches from President Barack Obama and other speakers at ⦠Now, the country's leading organization for the deaf is accusing the interpreter of being a ⦠Find the perfect sign language interpreter stock photo. "He was basically gesturing. "There was zero per cent accuracy. Update at 1:45 p.m. There are even interpreters for sign language. You can see how different her actions and gestures are compared to those of the man on stage. Some of the scholarships available for interpreters, primarily through state associations ⦠"Government is looking into this matter but has not been able to conclude this inquiry due to the demanding schedule of organising events related to the State Funeral. "Government will report publicly on any information it may establish but wishes to assure South Africans that we are clear in defending the rights and dignity of people with disabilities. President Barack Obama delivers his speech next to a sign language interpreter during a memorial service at FNB Stadium in honor of Nelson Mandela on ⦠Government Is "Looking Into This Matter.". In it, there's this passage: "As we look at yesterday's events, government has noted the concern expressed in various quarters about the alleged incorrect use of sign language at the National Memorial Service. 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