'SNL' Skit Mocks Sign Language Interpreter

'Saturday Night Live' opening skit puts American sign language interpreter front and center.

NEW YORK CITY -- 'SNL' You could tell from a mile away that Saturday Night Live was going to use Lydia Callis, Mayor Bloomberg's American Sign Language interpreter, in their opening skit. But was it ... funny?

Callis became an overnight celebrity this week for her animated facial expressions as she interpreted ASL for Michael R. Bloomberg during his many press conferences regarding Hurricane Sandy . But as journalist Lilit Marcus wrote over at the Atlantic, much of the coverage of Callis was patronizing to ASL speakers.

Marcus is the child of two hearing impaired parents and was dismayed, if not entirely surprised, that the hearing world seemed to think Callis was there to provide goofy entertainment.

Yes, Lydia Callis’ facial expressions and large, emphatic signs are a bit unusual among interpreters, but they’re not incorrect. Most interpreters have a difference between the way that they sign for large groups and the way that they sign for small ones.

Callis’ sign style reminds me more of the way that interpreters translate at Broadway shows or at college graduations, but that doesn’t mean it’s wrong or that she’s doing it for attention... Read The Full Story.

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ASL Interpreters Mocking Video Compilation

Video compilation of the hurricane Sandy sign language interpreters.

NEW YORK CITY -- A Rochester Institute of Technology graduate skyrocketed into fame while providing American Sign Language interpretation during New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s nationally watched news conferences, interpreted by Lydia Callis.

When ASL interpreter Lydia Callis shot to fame because of her use of facial expressions while interpreting New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Chris Christie’s 'Frankenstorm' Sandy press conference last weeks ago. Therefore, they say that “the way this woman on your show gestured in an ugly fashion was a totally offensive mockery of American Sign Language.”

Chelsea Lately Show "Interpreter Finds Fame" skit; Chelsea Handler finds controversy by mocking Deaf.

Late-night host Chelsea Handler of the Chelsea Lately Show, on E! Network has found herself in the center of controversy, due to this skit air date: Oct 30, 2012 which many members of the Deaf community say mocks and makes fun of the language they use to communicate: In the skit, a member of the cast mocks Mayor Bloomberg's ASL Interpreter Lydia Callis, who translated for the Mayor's Hurricane Sandy press conferences.

KiddNation - Mayor Michael Bloomberg and His Enthusiastic Interpreter:

Bloomberg's Sign Language Lady is funny! Crazy faces from Bloomberg's sign language interpreter:

ASL is the American Sign Language.

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Marlee Matlin Upset Over 'SNL' Sign Language Skit

Marlee Matlin upset cver 'SNL' sign language skit. The video clip of SNL sign language skit.

NEW YORK CITY -- Oscar winner Marlee Matlin has lashed out at "Saturday Night Live" for poking fun at sign language during the opening skit on Saturday's show.

As regulars Fred Armisen and Bobby Moynihan impersonated New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in the press conference sketch about the Hurricane Sandy disaster, two castmates offered comic signing beside them, which aired for the hearing-impaired people.

But the hearing impaired Matlin wasn't laughing, she found the skit offensive and took to Twitter.com to slam the show's producers and the stars themselves...
Read The Full Story.

ASL is the American Sign Language.

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