The tech space has a big player now. Shaquille O’Neal is diving into the AI space with his latest investment. The multi-hyphenate entrepreneur has joined an edtech startup to further literacy. While he’s enabling thousands of kids to upgrade, Shaq also attempted to learn an extra skill. His typical larger-than-life personality was the highlight of his appearance at the TechCrunch Disrupt convention.

Shaq has decent fluency in a few languages. But sign language is not one of them. It didn’t stop him from taking some live lessons while on stage.

Shaquille O’Neal tackles sign language

One time Google investor, Shaquille O’Neal has joined the startup, Edsoma to raise money for it. Edsoma runs an app promoting reading, literacy, and communication among young kids. Literacy and access to education have been central to Shaq’s philanthropy for years. He’s been a walking example of upgrading oneself.

Among the many skills Shaq tries to pick up, he also learns languages. Though he’s a multi-linguist already, he’s had a few hilarious moments with it. While at the TechCrunch Disrupt event, the NBA legend would pick on the sign language communicator to pick up a few words.

A lady was interpreting the initial half of the conference. O’Neal became chummy with her right on stage. He asked her how to sign the words “divorce” and “salad” and showcased his skills live several times during the talk.

Their impromptu love story suffered a twist when a male interpreter tapped Shaq’s friend in for the rest of the event. As soon as he noticed, the 7’1″ giant interrupted Edsoma CEO, Kyle Walgren to bark, “Wait, where’s my girlfriend at?” She must’ve shown herself because Shaq immediately went, “Oh, there you are! Okay, I love you.” 

As for the guy who replaced her, the Los Angeles Lakers‘ most intimidating center threatened with a smile, “I was about to beat you up, dude.” In the spirit of learning and partnering with an education app, Shaq asked the new interpreter how to sign, “about to beat you up, dude.”

It’s a very complicated sentence to sign and he didn’t want to learn from the “dude.” So, Shaq dismissed it with, “That’s too much.”

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Even though he interrupted his new business partner with his silliness, he lightened up the convention with his interactions with the sign language interpreters.

Shaquille O’Neal’s linguistic adventures

The NBA legend is a linguistic enthusiast. But it doesn’t always go as planned. He’s accidentally blurted Russian instead of Serbian to Nikola Jokic a couple of times. He even left Luka Doncic speechless with his terrible Slovenian on air.

That doesn’t deter the education advocate. He’s not only investing in Edsoma, but he’s also got big ideas for it. Shaq has recommended Walgren’s team enable their AI-powered app to teach additional languages like Spanish to kids. Thanks to O’Neal’s suggestions, they’re also developing the app as an ESL tool.

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Shaq’s a fast study though. Thanks to the female interpreter, he can sign “divorce,” “salad,” and “cash.” Don’t be surprised when he’s firing off sign language in the future.