Comedian apologises

A Cape Town comedian has begged public forgiveness for “spoofing” a sign language interpreter during President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent address to the nation.

This was after DeafSA threatened legal action.

“It is offensive to mock anyone’s language, DeafSA respects all spoken languages used in South Africa, the same respect for SASL [South African Sign Language] is asked in return,” DeafSA national director Bruno Druchen said on Saturday.

“On 14 May, a drag artist and stand-up comedian inserted herself as an interpreter, while the president addressed the nation.

“Lilly Slaptsilli, dressed in a very colourful outfit, used arbitrary signs, with no meaning.

“The deaf and SASL interpreters are disappointed to see the memes and posts that are being circulated on social media about sign language interpreters.”

Desmond Kgarebe, national chairman of DeafSA, said: “We, as the deaf community, need access to information on what’s happening, especially in this time of the pandemic. This post is a mockery of our language.”

The artist posted an apology: “Ok, so that was an epic fail. I’ve taken down my post spoofing the length of the president’s speech. As a stand-up comic, I have always been super conscious to never offend.

“I even had the presence of mind to run the clip by my deaf friends, who thought it was ‘fun, no offence taken, post it’. However, it clearly offended some folk.

“Anyone who has seen my live shows or follows me on my page will know this to be true. I have paid out of my own pocket over the years for a sign language interpreter to interpret during shows where I knew there were deaf and hard of hearing guests.

“I offer my sincere apologies to the entire deaf community and the hard of hearing. Please forgive me. ”

In its statement damning the post, DeafSA said it was at the forefront of training SASL interpreters and “the deaf community is aggrieved after internet and social media users mocked the SASL interpreting profession”.

Druchen said: “SASL interpreters working to provide the deaf community with access to the latest Covid-19 information have been put under pressure by people mocking the profession online and are being made fun of through memes and online parody videos.

“To Lilly, we do not want to inhibit your freedom of expression, but with these freedoms there are also shared responsibilities.

“DeafSA will consult with its lawyers. Deaf people are also protected by the Constitution.”

DeafSA would also formally complain to the Pan South African Language Board, the SA Human Rights Commission and the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Rights Commission. – News24 Wire