2月11日，語言學習工具軟體“多鄰國”官方賬號發文宣佈，其吉祥物——貓頭鷹“Duo”（曾被稱為“多鄰國貓頭鷹”）已經“去世”。
One of the world's most famous cartoon owls got its heavenly wings this week after language-learning platform Duolingo announced the death of its beloved avian mascot.
訊息一齣，立刻衝上微博熱搜第一名。
官方宣告中寫道：“我們懷著沉重的心情告訴大家，Duo——曾被稱為多鄰國貓頭鷹——已故。我們目前正在調查他的死因。老實說，他可能是在等你做作業的時候死的，但我們也不太清楚。我們知道他樹敵眾多，但是請求大家不要在評論區分享對他不滿的原因。
It is with heavy hearts that we inform you that Duo, formally known as The Duolingo Owl, is dead.Authorities are currently investigating his cause of death and we are cooperating fully. Tbh, he probably died waiting for you to do your lesson, but what do we know.We're aware he had many enemies, but we kindly ask that you refrain from sharing why you hate him in the comments.
“訃告”中提到，如果使用者想分享討厭Duo的原因，可以附上信用卡號，以便平臺自動為其開通多鄰國Max會員，以此紀念Duo。
If you feel inclined to share, please also include your credit card number so we can automatically sign you up for Duolingo Max in his memory.
圖源：社交媒體X截圖
為了紀念Duo的“去世”，多鄰國已經更新了其社交媒體頭像和應用圖示，圖中Duo的眼睛變成了“X”形。
新來的粉絲可能不知道情況，信以為真，連忙開啟自己的多鄰國APP，發現仍能正常使用。
The APP's icon has also changed to the dead-looking owl, but within the APP itself he appears to be alive and well.
但是已經熟悉多鄰國的老粉已經開始接招了，一臉嚴肅地陪多鄰國官推“演戲”，演技精湛，效果拉滿，堪比“奧斯卡影帝”。
據報道，一位發言人確認，Duo的“死亡”實際上是作為品牌營銷的一部分，換句話說，這可能是官方一次抽象的整活行為。
在釋出“訃告”五小時後，多鄰國又釋出了一張“遺照”，並配文“請用學習來代替鮮花吧！”這一舉動不僅進一步強化了其對Duo去世的調侃，同時也巧妙地引導使用者將注意力轉移到學習上。
圖源：社交媒體X截圖
2月15日，多鄰國的聯合創始人及執行長Luis von Ahn（也被視為Duo的爸爸）在社交媒體X上釋出影片，為多鄰國死去的卡通角色致“悼詞”。
悼詞中提及“Duo的使命是讓教育觸手可及，公司會繼承它的遺志砥礪前行。”並鼓勵使用者使用APP上課，透過關卡，並稱“誰知道呢，也許他就會回來的。”
His mission was clear: Make education accessible.Now, Duo's streak on earth has ended. It's our turn to stand together continue his legacy. We are carrying the torch forward.So in his honor, let's do what he would have wanted. Open up the APP, do a lesson, and share your fondest memories. And maybe, just maybe, skip the streak freeze. Keep the flame lit for Duo. Who knows, he might just come back.
編輯：弓玥琪
實習生：田曼吟
來源：廣州日報 中國新聞週刊 瀟湘晨報 CNN NPR
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