JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Experts confirm an interpreter, who stood next to several world leaders on Tuesday during Nelson Mandela’s memorial service, was actually not interpreting anything at all.
According to the Daily Mail, the Deaf Federation of South Africa confirmed that the interpreter that stood to the right of the podium as world leaders spoke during Tuesday’s memorial was simply making up his own movements and signs which had no meaning at all. The federation said South African sign language covers all 11 official languages of the country.
In addition to the Deaf Federation of South Africa, three additional sign language experts have confirmed that the unidentified man was not signing in American or South African sign languages.
In a side-by-side comparison, none of the man’s movements matched the official interpreter’s movements during the event.
South Africa’s government is said to be preparing a statement regarding the man.
