- An animated ASL interpreter captured Twitter’s attention during v’s remarks about Hurricane Irma on Saturday
- He stuck his tongue out, bulged his eyes and appeared to make jazz hands to convey the severity of the category three hurricane
- Rapper Missy Elliot remarked that the unidentified interpreter was giving the statement ‘so much sauce’
While Florida Governor Rick Scott was telling Floridians how to prepare for Hurricane Irma, a sign language interpreter stole the show.
During Scott’s remarks on Saturday, the especially expressive interpreter stuck out his tongue, grimaced and bulged his eyes to convey the severity of the situation.
The unidentified interpreter’s antics caused a stir on social media, with the majority of people on Twitter praising his dramatic American Sign Language interpretation.
As he signed for the sentence saying water ‘flows in fast, very fast, and then it flows out,’ the interpreter appeared to make jazz hands.
The unidentified sign language interpreter expressed the severity of Hurricane Irma by using dramatic facial expressions
The interpreter stole the show during Florida Governor Rick Scott’s press conference in Sarasota on Saturday
One person tweeted: ‘Is anybody else mesmerized by the sign language interpreter on CNN right now?’
Another said: ‘I couldn’t hear a word of what Rick Scott was saying over all the shouting from the sign-language translator.’
One Twitter user wrote: ‘I don’t mean to make light of #Irma but this sign language guy is getting the #Facials thing down! So get out and get away.’
He impressed Missy Elliot as well who said: ‘Ok for the sign language guy,’ the rapper tweeted ‘I can’t help but watch how he interprets this & with so much sauce.’
Using expressive facial expressions and exaggerated hand gestures can covey an emphasis on certain words in ASL
Missy Elliot was impressed by the sign language interpreter, saying he gave the statement ‘so much sauce’
Similarly, the sign language interpreter for New York City Mayor Bloomberg also gained a fair amount of attention on social media in 2012.
As he gave remarks about how to prepare for Hurricane Sandy, the interpreter conveyed what he said in an animated fashion. The purpose of doing this is to emphasize important words.
Great sign language interpreters have to perform this way because facial expressions and body language convey grammar, according to The Atlantic.