After charges that he is a fake, the Mandela memorial deaf interpreter speaks out and tells CNN he has schizophrenia. 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 the school for the deaf. According to tweeter @braamjordaan, 'He also ‘interpreted’ at the ANC elective conference in Mangaung last December. South Africa's deaf community accused the sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela's memorial of being 'fake' Sign language experts later attempted to decipher Mr Jantjie's hand waving and he was subsequently barred from working as a sign language interpreter by Deaf South Africa. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Thamsanqa Jantjie caused uproar at the ceremony in Johannesburg on Dec. 10 when he used sign-language interpretations that deaf groups say were little more than nonsensical gesticulations. South Africa’s Deaf Federation said this interpreter (seen here with President Obama after his speech at the memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela) was a fake. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Picture: AP Source:AP Several interpreters said he was a fraud and his sign language meant nothing. Bogus sign language interpreters are a problem in South Africa, because people who know a few signs try to pass themselves off as interpreters, Parkin said. Although Jantjie claimed he had suffered a schizophrenic attack at the Mandela memorial, the ANC has used him in past events where his interpretations were just as meaningless, according to the Deaf Federation of South Africa. An invoice seen by NBC News suggested that the ANC employed Jantjie on at least one more occasion, in June this year. Delphin Hlungwane, an official South African sign language interpreter at DeafSA, attacked the faker’s display at Tuesday’s service. Bogus sign language interpreters are a problem in South Africa, because people who know a few signs try to pass themselves off as interpreters, Parkin said. She added that her husband was supposed to go for a check-up the day of the ceremony, but when he got the interpreting job the day before the event she rang and postponed the appointment. "Government has noted concern expressed in some quarters about the alleged  incorrect use of sign language in the national memorial service," he told a press briefing. Deaf groups in South Africa and elsewhere are expressing outrage at the fake interpreter. South African sign language covers all of the country's 11 official languages, according to the federation. He was admitted to Sterkfontein Hospital, in Krugersdorp, on Tuesday, his wife Siziwe told Johannesburg-based newspaper The Star. Please get him off.". They say he was a "fraud" who was randomly flapping his arms around, making no … Neither the South African government, which organized the event, nor the African National Congress (ANC), South Africa's ruling party which has used Jantjie's services in the past, said they knew about the questions surrounding his medical history or qualifications. Braam Jordaan, a profoundly deaf South African citizen and board member of the World Federation of the Deaf Youth Section, explained why it had been so clear to sign language users that the interpretation was not correct. 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. Ordinarily, sign language interpreters in South Africa are switched every 20 minutes to maintain their concentration levels, she said. JOHANNESBURG — The South African sign language interpreter accused of using fake signs at Nelson Mandela's memorial service this week said he suffered a … ", South African sign language interpreter Francois Deysel tweeted during the ceremony that the interpreter was "making a mockery of our profession. Both the ANC and the South African government said they are looking into their hiring process following the furor. IE 11 is not supported. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. The South African government said in a statement that it was "looking into this matter but has not been able to conclude this inquiry due to the demanding schedule" organizing the state funeral. South Africa’s Deaf Federation said this interpreter (seen here with President Obama after his speech at the memorial service for former South African president Nelson Mandela) was a fake. After charges that he is a fake, the Mandela memorial deaf interpreter speaks out and tells CNN he has schizophrenia. The man "was moving his hands around but there was no meaning in what he used his hands for," Druchen added. Thamsanqa Jantjie stands during US President Barack Obama's speech at the Nelson Mandela Memorial at FBN Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa, December 10. claimed he may have suffered a schizophrenic attack, told Johannesburg-based newspaper The Star, sent the ANC a formal letter of complaint, Mandela service sign language interpreter failed in 2012 with 'self-invented' gestures, Violent sign language interpreter's access to Obama triggers investigation, Mandela memorial interpreter: I was hallucinating during event. She took to the social media site several times during the day. South African government minister Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu said in a press conference last week that most qualified sign language interpreters charge $125 to $165 per hour and speculated that a junior official might have opted for the cheapest quote. A mystery South African man who acted as a sign-language interpreter at Nelson Mandela’s memorial service was a “fraud” who simply made “childish hand gestures” for … He told NBC News in an email: "The structure of his hand, facial expressions and the body movements did not follow what the speaker was saying. David Buxton, chief executive of the British Deaf Association, said in an email that "the gentleman is a total fake.". Paul Breckell, chief executive of the U.K.-based charity Action on Hearing Loss, said: "We are shocked by the quality of sign language interpretation at Nelson Mandela’s memorial -- if it could be called interpretation at all. The deaf community, sign language interpreters, and Mandela mourners alike were initially outraged by the "fake" interpreting at the historic, and globally televised memorial. ", He added that "the limited number of signs, the amount of repetition, lack of facial expressions and huge gaps in translation meant that deaf or hard of hearing people across the world were completely excluded from one of the biggest events in recent history. It wasn't immediately clear if the unidentified man was using a different method to communicate. South African sign language covers all of the country's 11 official languages, according to the federation. South Africa says it is investigating how a man who used fake sign language at the Mandela memorial was given security clearance. Jantjie said he was paid a $85 daily fee for appearing at the Mandela memorial. “Sign language experts later attempted to decipher Mr Jantjie’s hand waving and he was subsequently barred from working as a sign language interpreter by Deaf South Africa.” But ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said the interpreter was nothing to do with the political party. Sign language interpreter Thamsanqa Jantjie spoke to South African media today. The interpreter was watched by millions as he stood beside speakers at the event including President Barack Obama. More from CNN at http://www.cnn.com/ Thousands of mourners line streets to witness Mandela's casket, Obama shakes hands with Castro at Mandela service. 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 the school for the deaf. She said: “He was basically gesturing. The organization sent the ANC a formal letter of complaint in Jan. 2012 which said Jantjie's sign language for a speech by South African President Jacob Zuma at the party's centenary celebrations was "self-invented" and "a mockery.". We have been supportive because he might have had a breakdown," Siziwe told the newspaper. THE South African government has formally apologised for any offence caused by the sign language interpreter it hired for Nelson Mandela's memorial, later exposed as a fake. South African Sign Language Interpreters in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Durban, Bloemfontein, Kimberley, East London etc We provide you with qualified and professional South African sign Language Interpreters that are professionals, timely and familiar with the expectations and terminology to your specific needs such as legal, medical, educational, or corporate in South African in … A day later, the official inquiry disclosed that the man, Thamsanqa Jantjie, 34, was a qualified interpreter hired by the African National Congress from his firm South African Interpreters. Fake sign language interpreter on stage with Barack Obama at Nelson Mandela memorial. ANC spokesman Jackson Mthembu said last week he has no knowledge of the complaint ever being made. The debacle of the "fake" interpreter raised questions about the vetting process on carried out on those working closely alongside world leaders. PRETORIA, South Africa -- The sign language interpreter used at Tuesday's memorial service for Nelson Mandela, and whose image was broadcast around the world as he shared a … She said: “He was basically gesturing. The 34-year-old later claimed he may have suffered a schizophrenic attack in which he saw "angels" flying into the stadium. South African sign language interpreter Francois Deysel tweeted: “Please can someone ask the interpreter to step down from stage, it is embarrassing and making a mockery of our profession.” The skit played out on televisions across America as Mandela's funeral took place in South Africa. South Africa says it is investigating how a man who used fake sign language at the Mandela memorial was given security clearance. Bruno Druchen, national director of the Deaf Federation of South Africa, was one of the first to raise suspicions during the memorial. 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. The sign language interpreter at Tuesday's memorial service in Johannesburg for Nelson Mandela may have appeared to have been translating spoken … The Deaf Federation of South Africa … Hundreds of people took to social media to express their anger at the interpreter's gestures, and several deaf groups confirmed his signing did not reflect the comments being made to honor the anti-apartheid icon. Exclusive: ‘Fake’ sign language interpreter mars Nelson Mandela service for Deaf people worldwide . She said: “He was basically gesturing. South Africa's Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said the administration was looking into the incident. There were even media reports last week that he had once been charged with involvement in a vigilante mob that had burned a man to death in 2003, but had never faced trial. More from CNN at http://www.cnn.com/ Even 20 years later, after seeing this man – I knew it was not South African Sign Language (SASL) but more of a repetitive crap that was made up on the spot. Delphin Hlungwane, an official South African sign language interpreter at DeafSA, attacked the faker’s display at Tuesday’s service. Mandela memorial signer moved hands, but what did it mean? 'Fake' Sign Language Interpreter Marred Mandela Memorial : The Two-Way As a man stood next to President Obama and other world leaders at Tuesday's memorial service … Khoza said the interpreter was employed by the South African government for the Mandela memorial event. "Only he can understand those gestures.". "100 percent of the information was omitted," said the complaint, seen by NBC News. ", Among the first to express their dissatisfaction was Wilma Newhoudt-Druchen, the first deaf woman to be elected to the South African parliament, who tweeted that the signing was "rubbish," adding: "He cannot sign. Delphin Hlungwane, an official South African sign language interpreter at DeafSA, attacked the faker’s display at Tuesday’s service. She said he had visited the hospital for a check-up but when he got there it was suggested he be admitted immediately. Nicole Du Toit, an official sign language interpreter who also watched the broadcast, told The Associated Press that the man on stage purporting to sign was an embarrassment. Deaf viewers of Nelson Mandela's memorial service have complained that the official sign language interpreter was a fraud who was "signing rubbish". She added that bogus sign-language interpreters were a problem in South Africa, “because people who know a few signs try to pass themselves off as interpreters. PRETORIA, South Africa -- The sign language interpreter used at Tuesday's memorial service for Nelson Mandela, and whose image was broadcast around the world as he shared a … The international sign language community is demanding an apology from the South African government for the "fake" interpreter on stage during the memorial service for Nelson Mandela. Bruno Peter Druchen @BrunoDruchen Deaf groups in South Africa and elsewhere are expressing outrage at the fake interpreter. The international sign language community is demanding an apology from the South African government for the "fake" interpreter on stage during the memorial service for Nelson Mandela. NBC News' Chapman Bell and The Associated Press contributed to this report. The man showed no facial expressions, which are key in … "The past few days have been hard. "He is not known by the Deaf Community in South Africa nor by the South African Sign Language interpreters working in the field." Trevor Noah - Fake Sign Language Interpreter - Funny South African Videos A Selection Of The Funniest South African Videos On The Net. Overlooking the qualifications and abilities of a professed interpreter is more than just an embarrassment. "He didn't follow any of the grammatical rules and structure of the language. Various video clips emerged appearing to show the same man signing at previous ANC events. Sign language experts later attempted to decipher Mr Jantjie's hand waving and he was subsequently barred from working as a sign language interpreter by Deaf South Africa. He said the same interpreter had provided sign language for South African President Jacob Zuma’s speech at a military event last year. Sign language experts and deaf viewers complain that the interpreter at Nelson Mandela's memorial service was a "fake" who was "signing rubbish". "It was horrible, an absolute circus, really really bad," she said. The U.S. Secret Service said the job of hiring and vetting people used in such ceremonies abroad was the responsibility of the host government, but declined to comment further. The South African government has admitted that the sign language interpreter accused of gesticulating nonsense during the Nelson Mandela memorial service … In 2013 in South Africa, a fake interpreter appeared beside former President Barack Obama and other world leaders during a memorial service for Nelson Mandela, apparently signing gibberish. Buxton called on the South African authorities to "name and shame that gentleman." ", Bruno Druchen, the national director of the Deaf Federation of South Africa, told The Associated Press that the interpreter on stage was a "fake.". Sign language interpreter Thamsanqa Jantjie spoke to South African media today. "He has no real clue about sign language and has obviously upset the deaf community of South Africa as we have received hundreds of angry messages via Facebook and Twitter," said Buxton, who was watching the ceremony with his South African-born wife. 'Fake' Sign Language Interpreter Marred Mandela Memorial : The Two-Way As a man stood next to President Obama and other world leaders at Tuesday's memorial service … "Government is looking into this matter but has not been able to conclude this inquiry due to the demanding schedule of organizing events relating to the state funeral. A sign language interpreter's performance on stage at the Nelson Mandela memorial has outraged deaf people around the world. When a fake interpreter was discovered to be signing gibberish during the memorial service for a former South African president, the world had one question: how could such a big mistake have happened at such an important and high profile international event?. Thamsanqa Jantjie caused uproar at the ceremony in Johannesburg on Dec. 10 when he used sign-language interpretations that deaf groups say were little more than nonsensical gesticulations. Later Wednesday the party's communications manager Keith Khoza appeared to contradict this when he confirmed to NBC News that interpreter had translated for party events in the past, but only as an unpaid volunteer. IE 11 is not supported. We Source Videos From Many Popular Sites Like YouTube And Hand Pick The Best Vids Just For You. A fake sign language interpreter took to the stage at the memorial for Nelson Mandela, outraging deaf people around the world, an association said. “Sign language experts later attempted to decipher Mr Jantjie’s hand waving and he was subsequently barred from working as a sign language interpreter by Deaf South Africa.” Bruno Druchen, the national director of … It is as if he came back with vengeance!' 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 a psychiatric hospital, South African media reported Thursday. ... “It seems quite obvious that the­ ­interpreter isn’t using South African sign language. He said: "We want to make a statement that this is a warning to other sign language interpreters who are fake and go about interpreting. The South African government has admitted that the sign language interpreter accused of gesticulating nonsense during the Nelson Mandela memorial service … "Government will report publicly on information it establishes but wishes to assure South Africans that we are clear  in defending the rights and dignity of people with disabilities.". An interpreter who was seen by millions of television viewers worldwide translating Nelson Mandela's memorial service into sign language was a 'fake', according to South Africa's deaf federation. 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