Pete Buttigieg Responds In Sign Language To Supporter Who Created A Way To Sign 'Buttigieg'
South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg is a polyglot who can speak seven languages, and now we can add an eighth to his already impressive resume.
When a deaf supporter created the American Sign Language (ASL) sign for Pete Buttigieg in a video, the Democratic presidential candidate responded in sign language to express his gratitude.
Mayor Pete's charm and intelligence knows no bounds.
Anderson Pleasants, who describes himself as deaf and hard of hearing on his Twitter profile, posted his demonstration of the ASL sign he came up with for Buttigieg, inspired by Buttigieg's campaign logo evocative of a bridge.
"Given his new logo has the imagery of a bridge and 'build bridges, not walls",' his sign name is P 'bridged' across the chest to B!"
Buttigieg thanked Pleasants for his thoughtful gesture a week later and responded with a hand-wave emoji and a special message in ASL.
@pleasantandy π https://t.co/nMxGk2u76Vβ Pete Buttigieg (@Pete Buttigieg) 1556126794
Daily Beast reporter Scott Bixby translated Buttigieg's message:
"Hi Andy β thank you for your support, thanks."
Translation: βHi Andy β thank you for your support, thanks.β A Deaf friendβs verdict: βNot bad!!!β https://t.co/I083EJ4xBMβ Scott Bixby (@Scott Bixby) 1556130029
Pleasants even created a sign for Buttigieg's husband, Chasten.
Upon receiving the mayor's heartfelt message, Pleasants said he teared up.
"It means so much to see a major Presidential candidate actively reach across the communication divide to include those like me, especially in a society where the burden of that divide so often rests on the Deaf individual."
Pleasants added:
"Keep signing the sign & walking the walk!"
The general consensus is that Buttigieg is compassionate and inspiring.
@pleasantandy Every day @PeteButtigieg does something that makes me love him more. πβ€οΈ#PeteButtigieg #Pete2020 #PeteForAmericaβ Clara for Sec. Buttigieg & Naruhina πππβοΈπ§‘ (@Clara for Sec. Buttigieg & Naruhina πππβοΈπ§‘) 1556137922
@CCorjulo @pleasantandy @PeteButtigieg Welcome to the club! Just when you think you can't respect him any more, heβ¦ https://t.co/0WbkhhoPgoβ Angel (PA For Pete) (@Angel (PA For Pete)) 1556143511
@pleasantandy It means so much to me too, Andy. My son completely lost hearing in his left ear when he was 10 and nβ¦ https://t.co/NGVrMlCkiYβ High Street Team (@High Street Team) 1556133826
High marks were given from someone who understands ASL.
@pleasantandy @Chas10Buttigieg As a former ASL interpreter, Iβm very pleased to see this! Yet another language on his list. π€πΌβ Fan of πΊπ¦ ππ· π (@Fan of πΊπ¦ ππ· π) 1556139148
And Oscar winning actress Marlee Matlin weighed in as well with kudos for Pete reaching out to the deaf community.
Well, @PeteButtigieg, you're the first candidate for President that I've ever seen sign. Bravo! And @pleasantandy Iβ¦ https://t.co/sGcw0bJ82vβ Marlee Matlin (@Marlee Matlin) 1556130801
As did America's Next Top Model and Dancing With the Stars winner Nyle DiMarco.
The youngest person in the Democratic race last impressed people with his language skills when he expressed his condolences and solidarity with the people of Paris for the Notre Dame cathedral fire.
In French, Buttigieg told a French reporter:
"To the people of France, I would like to say that Notre Dame Cathedral was like a gift to the human race. We share in the pain but we also thank you for this gift to civilization."
@pleasantandy @Chas10Buttigieg Itβs so refreshing to see someone be genuinely inclusive to all people. This is just wonderful.β Howard Forman (@Howard Forman) 1556145635
@pleasantandy @Chas10Buttigieg Ok Mayor Pete. You are winning my heart and mind. Thank you for being decent and kind.β susanbd1 (@susanbd1) 1556142726
The "millennial candidate" is proficient in seven languages, including Norwegian, Spanish, Italian, Maltese, Arabic, Dari and French.
He was likely inspired to learn multiple language from his linguist mother, Jennifer Anne Montgomery, who was a professor at Notre Dame for 30 years, according to Heavy.
Buttigieg also taught himself Norwegian so that he could learn to read more books from his favorite Norwegian novelist, Erlend Loe.
@PeteButtigieg @pleasantandy Changing the world, one connection at a time. π https://t.co/HSmaVwyHROβ High Street Team (@High Street Team) 1556130315
His intentional multilingualism and willingness to communicate with different demographics and marginalized communities shows that this 2020 presidential candidate is well-versed at speaking from the heart.
You can learn ASL too. Check out this handy spiral-bound guide to American Sign Language. Be like Pete!