世界名牌博览：芭比

芭比娃娃（Barbie）是20世纪最广为人知及最畅销的玩偶，她们由Ruth Handler发明，于1959年3月9日举办的美国国际玩具展览会（American International Toy Fair）上首次曝光。芭比娃娃及其它相关配件均以一比六的比例制作，为娃娃屋模型的最大号，也称为playscale。

芭比玩偶版权现由美泰儿公司拥有及生产，已经销往世界上150多个国家，总销售额超过10亿元，并由此衍生出一系列影视作品、小游戏及周边产品。

 

The Barbie doll is one of the most successful toys in history. It was launched in 1959 by the U.S. toy manufacturer Mattel. It has since become a cultural icon¹. American businesswoman Ruth Handler came up with the idea of an adult doll for small girls after seeing her daughter dressing² up paper dolls. The name ‘Barbie’ comes from Handler’s own daughter Barbara. Over 350,000 dolls were sold in the first year. Over a billion Barbies have been sold since. Clever marketing³ means toy execs keep Barbie up with the times. They adjust to every cultural challenge and change. Her waist was recently widened to avoid stereotypes⁴ that women must be thin. She also sports a tattoo⁵ on her back. Sales are also boosted by a range of pets, cars and accessories – everything the young woman might need.

 

 

1 icon   

n.偶像，崇拜的对象，画像

参考例句：

• They found an icon in the monastery.他们在修道院中发现了一个圣像。
• Click on this icon to align or justify text.点击这个图标使文本排齐。

2 dressing   

n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料

参考例句：

• Don't spend such a lot of time in dressing yourself.别花那么多时间来打扮自己。
• The children enjoy dressing up in mother's old clothes.孩子们喜欢穿上妈妈旧时的衣服玩。

3 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。

4 stereotypes   

n.老套，模式化的见解，有老一套固定想法的人( stereotype的名词复数 )v.把…模式化，使成陈规( stereotype的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• Such jokes tend to reinforce racial stereotypes. 这样的笑话容易渲染种族偏见。
• It makes me sick to read over such stereotypes devoid of content. 这种空洞无物的八股调，我看了就讨厌。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

5 tattoo   

n.纹身，(皮肤上的)刺花纹；vt.刺花纹于

参考例句：

• I've decided to get my tattoo removed.我已经决定去掉我身上的纹身。
• He had a tattoo on the back of his hand.他手背上刺有花纹。