Call to appreciate interpreters

WELLINGTON: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has personally thanked the New Zealand Sign Language interpreters who will be a familiar face to the many Kiwis following the Government’s daily Covid19 briefings.

‘‘About 4000 to 5000 New Zealanders are deaf and rely on New Zealand Sign Language as their first language. It is one of New Zealand’s three official languages,’’ Ms Ardern said this week at a briefing on the Government’s Covid19 response.

Six highlyskilled and experienced NZSL interpreters are working on the response. They work sevenhour shifts and are rostered across a sevenday week.

‘‘Their singular focus is to make sure as many New Zealanders as possible know what is going on.

‘‘It is an exceptional feat and at a vital time when we need information to reach as many New Zealanders as possible,’’ Ms Ardern said.

She knew some of the interpreters had gone viral.

‘‘I hope what will also go viral is our gratitude for the incredible role and important work that they do.’’

Her message follows Deaf Aotearoa condemning memes and parody videos imitating New Zealand Sign Language interpreters that were shared online.

Deaf Aotearoa president Oliver Ferguson said some recent comments made on social media had been particularly disrespectful, such as calling the interpreters ‘‘distracting’’ or ‘‘unnecessary’’ and making fun of them. He said this put highly skilled workers under additional pressure.

The organisation asked people to respect the deaf and their language. — RNZ