Winter break has officially arrived for
Portland State students! Here to help you get in the holiday spirit
is Claire Koch, a five year old CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) from Toledo, Florida, who signed
her entire holiday performance for her parents, who are both deaf.
Claire's parents posted the video of
her performance after learning about the recent claims that the sign language interpreter at Nelson Mandela's memorial was a fake.
Her mother, Lori, said, “It became obvious that he was making
things up. He was repeating the same hand movements so it was obvious
he was a fake.”
Claire's father agreed. “It was just
totally deflating for deaf people, like saying deaf people are not
important. [Mandela] is a famous man who did so much for many
people.”
Lori Koch's immediate reaction to the
Mandela interpreter controversy was to send a tweet with mixed tones
of pride for her daughter and dismay at the disrespectful signer:
“Even my 5 yr old daughter signed
better for her deaf parents in an xmas play.”
Video commenters have noted Claire's
impressive grasp on ASL, sense of rhythm, and enthusiasm. Her future
as a top signer looks promising.
What do you think about all of this?
Any thoughts on the Mandela interpreter? It seems that Claire Koch
might be a tiny restoration of hope that the deaf community (and the
hearing community) needs after the disappointing situation at
Mandela's memorial.
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