03-20-2007, 10:07 PM
Linky: http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,21420678-2,00.html
TV presenter in sex fumble
By staff writers and wires
March 21, 2007 11:36am
ANGRY parents have accused BBC TV character Mr Tumble of greeting watching children by saying "I'm f****** you" in sign language.
But the CBeebies character, the star of Something Special, has defended his greeting, saying his gestures mean "I'm happy to see you".
Mr Tumble was caught out when Jamie Miller, who works for the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID), was watching the show with his five-year-old daughter Katie.
ââ¬ÅKatie, who is learning sign language, asked what the gesture meant. I didnââ¬â¢t know what to tell her,ââ¬Â he said.
Mr Miller, who said the signs for "happy" and "f******" are quite similar, contacted the BBC five times but Mr Tumble continues to open the show by saying with "I'm f******* you".
The BBC has defended Mr Tumble - presenter Justin Fletcher - saying he uses Makaton signals, which are different to British Sign Language.
Something Special is designed to teach children signing supported by Makaton gestures.
RNID spokeswoman Kate Sidwell said: ââ¬ÅWe advised the BBC that using Makaton would cause confusion.
ââ¬ÅMakaton is used more for children with learning difficulties ââ¬â it is essentially a different language.ââ¬Â
In British Sign Language ââ¬Åhappyââ¬Â is shown by gently brushing the palms against each other. The swear word is made by brushing the hands together between the thumb and first finger.
TV presenter in sex fumble
By staff writers and wires
March 21, 2007 11:36am
- Mr Tumble greeting toddlers with "I'm f****** you"
- Mr Tumble says greeting means "I'm happy to see you"
- BBC defends Mr Tumble's sign language
ANGRY parents have accused BBC TV character Mr Tumble of greeting watching children by saying "I'm f****** you" in sign language.
But the CBeebies character, the star of Something Special, has defended his greeting, saying his gestures mean "I'm happy to see you".
Mr Tumble was caught out when Jamie Miller, who works for the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID), was watching the show with his five-year-old daughter Katie.
ââ¬ÅKatie, who is learning sign language, asked what the gesture meant. I didnââ¬â¢t know what to tell her,ââ¬Â he said.
Mr Miller, who said the signs for "happy" and "f******" are quite similar, contacted the BBC five times but Mr Tumble continues to open the show by saying with "I'm f******* you".
The BBC has defended Mr Tumble - presenter Justin Fletcher - saying he uses Makaton signals, which are different to British Sign Language.
Something Special is designed to teach children signing supported by Makaton gestures.
RNID spokeswoman Kate Sidwell said: ââ¬ÅWe advised the BBC that using Makaton would cause confusion.
ââ¬ÅMakaton is used more for children with learning difficulties ââ¬â it is essentially a different language.ââ¬Â
In British Sign Language ââ¬Åhappyââ¬Â is shown by gently brushing the palms against each other. The swear word is made by brushing the hands together between the thumb and first finger.