2月11日，语言学习工具软件“多邻国”官方账号发文宣布，其吉祥物——猫头鹰“Duo”（曾被称为“多邻国猫头鹰”）已经“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.

消息一出，立刻冲上微博热搜第一名。

官方声明中写道：“我们怀着沉重的心情告诉大家，Duo——曾被称为多邻国猫头鹰——已故。我们目前正在调查他的死因。老实说，他可能是在等你做作业的时候死的，但我们也不太清楚。我们知道他树敌众多，但是请求大家不要在评论区分享对他不满的原因。

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.

“讣告”中提到，如果用户想分享讨厌Duo的原因，可以附上信用卡号，以便平台自动为其开通多邻国Max会员，以此纪念Duo。

图源：社交媒体X截图

为了纪念Duo的“去世”，多邻国已经更新了其社交媒体头像和应用图标，图中Duo的眼睛变成了“X”形。

新来的粉丝可能不知道情况，信以为真，连忙打开自己的多邻国APP，发现仍能正常使用。

The APP's icon has also changed to the dead-looking owl, but within the APP itself he appears to be alive and well.

但是已经熟悉多邻国的老粉已经开始接招了，一脸严肃地陪多邻国官推“演戏”，演技精湛，效果拉满，堪比“奥斯卡影帝”。

据报道，一位发言人确认，Duo的“死亡”实际上是作为品牌营销的一部分，换句话说，这可能是官方一次抽象的整活行为。

在发布“讣告”五小时后，多邻国又发布了一张“遗照”，并配文“请用学习来代替鲜花吧！”这一举动不仅进一步强化了其对Duo去世的调侃，同时也巧妙地引导用户将注意力转移到学习上。

图源：社交媒体X截图

2月15日，多邻国的联合创始人及首席执行官Luis von Ahn（也被视为Duo的爸爸）在社交媒体X上发布视频，为多邻国死去的卡通角色致“悼词”。

悼词中提及“Duo的使命是让教育触手可及，公司会继承它的遗志砥砺前行。”并鼓励用户使用APP上课，通过关卡，并称“谁知道呢，也许他就会回来的。”

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.

编辑：弓玥琪

实习生：田曼吟

来源：广州日报 中国新闻周刊 潇湘晨报 CNN NPR