Interpreter at Mandela memorial dubbed a 'fake', group says
December 12, 2013  03:27

To those outside the deaf community, the sign language interpreter for Nelson Mandela's memorial may have looked like he was working hard, translating the spoken words into gestures for four hours.

 

But he has been dubbed "a fake," and his actions outraged deaf people, according to an association for the deaf community in South Africa. The service to commemorate the revered statesman, who died last week at the age of 95, was broadcast to millions of viewers around the world.

 

While dignitaries addressed the crowd Tuesday at Johannesburg's FNB stadium, the unidentified suited man with a security pass produced a series of hand signals that experts say meant nothing.

 

The Deaf Federation of South Africa (DeafSA) said the "interpreter" was not a recognized professional, nor was he known by the deaf community in the country.

 

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