Disabled doll

 Sean: Hello and welcome to 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English, the

programme where we discuss a topical subject and introduce you to some of

the interesting vocabulary connected to that topic. I'm Sean and with me is

Rosie.

Rosie: Hi there.

Sean: So - Rosie, you're a girl!

Rosie: Yes, I am!

Sean: Well, then I'm guessing you played with dolls when you were younger?

Rosie: And your guess is right. I did indeed play with dolls but not only girls play

with dolls... there's nothing wrong with boys playing with dolls too!

Sean: Not at all... in fact, I can remember playing with a doll myself… a doll with red

hair…. but today’s story is about another kind of doll which is causing some

controversy¹ in Sweden. We'll hear all about that in a minute, but of course

we’ll start as usual with a quiz question. Are you ready Rosie?

Rosie: Yes I am.

Sean: Okay. This may give everyone a bit of a clue to the subject of today's story.

Here is the quiz question: Which of these sports is NOT in the Paralympic

Games: Basketball? Cricket? Football?

Rosie: Well, I'm going to say cricket. I don't think cricket is in the Paralympic Games.

Sean: Okay, any particular reason?

Rosie: Well, I just think that only certain countries really appreciate cricket.

Sean: So, Rosie, have you ever played cricket?

Rosie: Well no I haven't. I am one of those people who doesn't really understand

the rules.

Sean: Hmm. OK. And you're English.

Rosie: I know.

Sean: But, anyway we'll find out the answer at the end of the programme.

Rosie: So, we were talking about dolls.

Sean: Yes, and one doll in particular that has been causing controversy in

Gothenburg Sweden. It's controversial because it's a disabled doll.

Rosie: A disabled doll. That is controversial. A controversy is a debate or argument

with people expressing different opinions. So if something is controversial it

means it’s causing or likely to cause some argument.

Sean: And that's because this doll has irregular facial features and twisted arms of

someone with a disability... It’s meant to encourage debate about the

treatment of people with disabilities. But now, listen to the first part of a

report from the BBC's Jo Fidgen about the CP doll. What does she say the

letters CP are short for?

It's called the CP Doll, CP being short for cerebral² palsy, but also a common insult meaning

someone or something that isn't functioning properly. The slogan on the packaging reads,

''Treat her like a real retard³.'' The group behind the idea, The Gothenburg Cooperative for

Independent Living, provides personal assistance for the disabled.

Sean: Jo Fidgen in Sweden. She says that the group behind the idea of the CP doll

provides personal assistance for the disabled. And...

Rosie: And she said CP is short for cerebral palsy, a condition causing disability.

Sean: That's right. It's an abbreviation for cerebral palsy but in Sweden it has

another meaning as well. It's an insult meaning someone or something isn't

functioning –isn't working- properly. The insult is on the packaging as well

Rosie: Yes 'retard' is used as an insult; a term of abuse. So this doll has offended

people – they are shocked.

Sean: Yes, they are shocked but the director of the organisation⁴ that produced the

doll, Andush Vestia, who uses a wheelchair, says that he got fed up with what

he calls ''degrading kindness'' Here he talks about what often happens when

he goes shopping. Listen out for how he says people treat him.

Often times when I go shopping people tap me on my head and tell me ''Oh it's great for

you to be able to shop by yourself.'' People treat you more or less like a child. That is

something that we are tired of. We would like to be treated as regular people and the doll is

a means for us to be able to bring this topic to the surface.

Sean: The Director of the Gothenburg Cooperative for Independent Living, which

helps disabled people. He doesn't like people's attitudes. He says it's

degrading.

Rosie: He calls it 'degrading kindness'. – taking away his dignity. Or patronising.

Sean: Yes and he gave the example of people patting him on the head and saying

that it is great that he shops by himself. Did you catch how he says people

treat him?

Rosie: Yes, he said that people treat him more or less like a child.

Sean: And that is degrading. So, back to the story of the doll: the CP doll is meant

to raise awareness⁵ of people's attitudes to the disabled. It has been policy in

Sweden that the disabled have the same opportunities and access as

everyone else.

Rosie: Which brings us back to the quiz question you asked at the beginning of the

programme.

Sean: That's right it does. So, did you get it? Which of these sports is NOT in the

Paralympic Games?

Basketball

Cricket

Football

So, Rosie?

Rosie: I said cricket.

Sean: You did. You said cricket. Are you sticking with cricket?

Rosie: I did. Is it right?

Sean: It is right. Gold medal to Rosie.

Sean: And with that cricket is not in Paralympic Games coming to London very soon.

But for now we've come to the end of the programme. So, Rosie, just please

remind us of some of the words we heard today.

Rosie: controversial

cerebral palsy

insult

retard

degrading

look down on

Sean: That's all we have time for today but do join us again for more 6 Minute

English. Bye for now!

Rosie: Bye! Bye!

Vocabulary and definitions

controversial causing or likely to cause argument or offence

cerebral palsy a physical condition in which muscles tighten⁶. Caused

by damage to the brain around the time of birth.

insult something that causes offence, often a remark or

action

retard offensive slang for a mentally disabled person

degrading humiliating, affecting someone's dignity

look down on to regard with scorn or disdain, to feel superior to

someone or something

1 controversy   

n.争论，辩论，争吵

参考例句：

• That is a fact beyond controversy.那是一个无可争论的事实。
• We ran the risk of becoming the butt of every controversy.我们要冒使自己在所有的纷争中都成为众矢之的的风险。

2 cerebral   

adj.脑的，大脑的；有智力的，理智型的

参考例句：

• Your left cerebral hemisphere controls the right-hand side of your body.你的左半脑控制身体的右半身。
• He is a precise,methodical,cerebral man who carefully chooses his words.他是一个一丝不苟、有条理和理智的人，措辞谨慎。

3 retard   

n.阻止，延迟；vt.妨碍，延迟，使减速

参考例句：

• Lack of sunlight will retard the growth of most plants.缺乏阳光会妨碍大多数植物的生长。
• Continuing violence will retard negotiations over the country's future.持续不断的暴力活动会阻碍关系到国家未来的谈判的进行。

4 organisation   

n.组织，安排，团体，有机休

参考例句：

• The method of his organisation work is worth commending.他的组织工作的方法值得称道。
• His application for membership of the organisation was rejected.他想要加入该组织的申请遭到了拒绝。

5 awareness   

n.意识，觉悟，懂事，明智

参考例句：

• There is a general awareness that smoking is harmful.人们普遍认识到吸烟有害健康。
• Environmental awareness has increased over the years.这些年来人们的环境意识增强了。

6 tighten   

v.(使)变紧；(使)绷紧

参考例句：

• Turn the screw to the right to tighten it.向右转动螺钉把它拧紧。
• Some countries tighten monetary policy to avoid inflation.一些国家实行紧缩银根的货币政策，以避免通货膨胀。