Sign language attacked ?

To contact us Click HERE
No it wasn't.  I have to take to task the various blogs on the bandwagon expressing outrage out a skit on an American TV program.  Not to be confused with the YouTube take off which was very well done and quite funny, hell even Marlee laughed.
Near all including an UK blog Limping Chicken, missed the whole point.  The skit was about the FACIAL expressions used, not the sign language, as I doubt most hearing who watched knew what they were.  Me, I read the captions !  Both vids I have seen including the skit itself and the humorous take off, concentrated on the facial aspect.  It can be the case some interpreters overdo the facial expressions  if you saw some BSL interpreters use, you would cringe too, a number feel exaggerated expressions are necessary to EMPHASISE an sign to add 'context' to it.  It can be part of it, it can be vastly overdone too.
I logged in to 15 youtube videos of interpretors  the USA and here in the UK, it has to be said few of them were as visual as the one they were talking about, she drew considerable attention to herself via her facials, to such an extent it detracted, and raised the attention of hearing people  Sadly first impressions count, and over-animated sign use is a crowd-puller, in this case an national crowd puller..
The jury is still out this raises sign language awareness, i.e. in a really positive way, because hearing people homed in on the OTT facials.  I think interpreters need to play down the facial accompaniment to sign language, and be mindful of over doing it.  It suggests that deaf people are not following the sign and need this over extra to follow.  I think deaf have to appreciate it DOESN'T raise sign language awareness with hearing just uncomfortable laughs.
Below are two extreme photos of face-pulling and NOT intended to offend anyone, just examples, it is a short mental image move by hearing to align this sort of thing which can be viewed funny and what they see as OTT facials by Interpretors and deaf people.  As we know by experience ridicule is the first reaction by many to sign language but it is the FACE not the sign.  If they see that AND no speech accompanying it too.... Perhaps we need to see ourselves as others, see us ?
 

Having seen Marlee be quite crude in using signs sexually on an USA TV program, hmmm.....  Methinks some protest overmuch.