To say that the past week of civil unrest in the wake of George Floyd's murder has been difficult for all of us would be a vast understatement. But of course Minnesota, where Floyd lived and was killed, is bearing the brunt.
Thankfully, there's been one tiny ray of light each day: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's American Sign Language interpreter, whose effusive, expressive sign language renditions of the Governor's daily press briefings has made her Minnesota's newest internet fave.
Her name is Nic Zapko, and she was born deaf. Of course, in these troubled times—not just the protests in Minneapolis and cities across the country, but the ongoing pandemic—her job is essential in ensuring that the Deaf community in Minnesota can stay as up-to-date on the latest information as everyone else.
But lately, Zapko's expressive deliveries have garnered her a fanbase far beyond just the immediate community she serves, and when watching her in action, it's easy to see why.
Here she is in Governor Walz's press briefing from Monday.
Governor Walz's 6/1/20 Briefing Updatewww.youtube.com
She really is kind of transfixing to watch, isn't she?
She adds a whole other dimension to the Governor's words. For Zapko, though, it's just her normal way of speaking—movement and facial expressions like hers are central to ASL's system of communication.
As the CDC explains:
"ASL is a complete language. People communicate using hand shapes, direction and motion of the hands, body language, and facial expressions."
It's far more intricate than simple hand gestures, it turns out, and Zapko's flair for the dramatic makes her all the more eloquent.
And as Zapko recently told Minneapolis's WCCO, she loves her job, which is a fairly new one in Minnesota.
ASL Interpreters Praised For Delivering Key Messages To Deaf Community During Pandemicwww.youtube.com
As she told WCCO:
"The deaf community in Minnesota is incredibly thrilled, and they are finally able to feel included and feel a part of the state and say we are here, we aren't separate."
And on Twitter, Minnesotans are definitely feeling the love for Zapko.
Governor Tim Walz's ASL interpreter @niczapko deserves an Emmy.
— Matt is voting blue, no matter who. (@MatthewSenn1) May 29, 2020
Nic Zapko is AMAZING. I'd rather watch her translate than the person making the speeches. #ASL pic.twitter.com/4mNhBuhDne
— Bernard Schaffer (@BernardSchaffer) June 1, 2020
I don't know this woman personally, but she obviously lives near me, so when all this is over, I owe her a drink...
...because she NAILED this description so well that I thought "I understand it all now."#ASL #Minneapolis pic.twitter.com/IzuTcrJ7Nv
— Jay Joseph (@JayJoseph2020) May 30, 2020
Shout out to the ASL translator at every @GovTimWalz press conference. I don't understand ASL but this translator is working overtime and seems to be doing an incredible job.
— Lauren Portinga (@LCP_MN) May 31, 2020
A beautiful silver lining around this cloud of chaos is the sublime art of ASL maestro @niczapko. Her uber-expressive, passionate work interpreting the speeches of @GovTimWalz and others is inspiring. Who knew sign language was this much fun? #AmericanASL #DeafAwareness pic.twitter.com/5Q29A0ppmx
— Molly Walsh Woll (@MollyWollLaw) May 30, 2020
I just want to give a HUGE shoutout to Nic Zapko @niczapko who is the #ASL interpreter for Gov. Tim Walz. She rocks! pic.twitter.com/HtxnT0mKsC
— 𝕋. 𝔻𝕠𝕣𝕛𝕖 (@TDorjeArt) June 3, 2020
So true! You rock, @niczapko! #asl #SignLanguage @GovTimWalz https://t.co/eQTjzAzzQH
— Anastasia H. Folpe (@AnastasiaHFolpe) June 3, 2020
Side note: I just want to say that the sign language interpreter who has been working *every dang press conference* these last few months (remember the pandemic?) slays.
— Catharine Richert (@CatRichert) May 31, 2020
@niczapko You bring your whole self to EVERY press conference. You MUST be exhausted. Please know...you are appreciated...greatly. #MakingADifference
— Dawn Crowell Windham (@dawniecro) May 31, 2020
@niczapko You bring your whole self to EVERY press conference. You MUST be exhausted. Please know...you are appreciated...greatly. #MakingADifference
— Dawn Crowell Windham (@dawniecro) May 31, 2020
For her part, Zapko is definitely feeling the love.
She took to Twitter herself recently to thank everyone for their support.
Hello :-) Thanks to everyone for their kind comments its been an honor and humbling to be in this role. I am grateful to Gov Walz, his amazing leadership and behind the scenes team for making this access happen. Its nice to see the awareness of access get some attention.
— niczapko (@niczapko) June 3, 2020
Sounds like Zapko and Minnesota are lucky to have each other!
