WO2010001095A1

WO2010001095A1 - Dolls

Info

Publication number: WO2010001095A1
Application number: PCT/GB2009/001584
Authority: WO
Inventors: Farzana Rahman
Original assignee: Farzana Rahman
Priority date: 2008-07-01
Filing date: 2009-06-24
Publication date: 2010-01-07
Also published as: GB2461524A; GB0812004D0; GB2461524B

Abstract

A bilingual doll (10) has a data store (12) and actuators (14) actuable to cause the doll (10) to utter selected phrases from the store (12) in first and second languages, the store (12) being readily removable from a pocket (24) at the back of doll to be replaced by a store (121,122) comprising corresponding phrases in at least one other language. Said actuator (14), upon successive actuations, causes doll (10) to utter a phrase in said first language, the phrase translated into said second language, a second phrase in said first language, the second phrase translated into said second language and so on, cycling through different phrases from the store (12). Each actuator (14) is accompanied by a graphical representation (16) of the meaning of a plurality of phrases uttered when that actuator (14) is repeatedly actuated. The actuator (14) under graphical representation (162) is actuable to switch on and off the uttering function of the doll (10) and to associate such action with causing utterance of a greeting or farewell. Special stores (12) provide an extended utterance of at least sixty words upon a single actuation, enabling the doll (102) to recite verses from the Koran, alternately in English and Arabic. A set comprises a doll (10) and a plurality of said stores (12) interchangeably replaceable in said doll (10) such that corresponding actuation of any actuator (14) with with two such stores (12) will cause utterance of the same phrase in respective languages.

Description

TiBe: DOLLS

This invention relates to dolls, and more particularly dolls able to speak more than one language, so-called bilingual dolls, although not limited to two languages. These function as a language-learning aid.

Background Bilingual dolls have been proposed which have pressure points, and if one of these is pressed the doll will speak a phrase in, for example, English and a second language. Such dolls have limitations, as will become apparent from the ensuing description.

The invention

It is assumed herein that normally the user will be a child, more usually a girl, though it could be an adult and the doll is a dummy or other representation of a human being.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a bilingual doll having a data store and actuators actuable to cause utterance of selected phrases from the store in first and second languages, the store being adapted to be readily removed to be replaced by a store comprising corresponding phrases in at least one other language. By 'corresponding phrases' is meant that the same actuation applied to different inserted stores will produce the same phrase in respective languages. This has the advantage that the retailer or more particularly the parent can readily change the language or languages, and for example retaining the same phrase, in whatever language, for the same actuator, so for example that the child who has learnt to associate a particular meaning with one actuator will already know the meaning of this actuator when the language/s is/are changed and have continuity of learning. The sounds are held in the store. The doll can have the facility, upon a single actuation, e.g. a press upon a button, to utter a phrase in, say, English and then the same phrase in a second language, but is preferably adapted for a said actuator, upon a first actuation, to cause utterance of a phrase from the store in said first language and, upon a second actuation, to cause utterance of the phrase translated into said second language. This has the particular advantage that the child can pause as long as she wishes after hearing a phrase selected by using a particular actuator before she actuates the same actuator again to hear the phrase translated into the other language (or 'another¹ language if there are more than two and successive actuations cycle through them). This, for instance, gives her the opportunity to say the translation of the phrase herself, at her own speed and in her own timing, before hearing it from the doll.

The doll may be adapted for the actuator, upon a third actuation, to cause utterance of a second phrase from the store in said first language and, upon a fourth actuation, to cause utterance of the second phrase translated into said second language. Preferably, the doll is then adapted for the actuator, upon successive actuations, to cycle through different phrases from the store, each in said first language alternating upon the next actuation with the same phrase translated into the second language. This allows to extend the number of phrases to an actuator and thus greatly to extend the number of phrases of the doll.

Preferably, a said actuator is accompanied by a graphical representation of the meaning of a phrase uttered when that actuator is actuated. For example, a picture of an apple, in a particular place on the doll, when pressed causes the doll to utter the word 'apple' in two languages, e.g. in English then Gujarat), successively on a single press or respectively on successive presses. Possibly, a single actuation of one actuator will utter the phrase only in the foreign' language, and/or will utter another word similarly, and so on; e.g. an actuator associated with a representation of the number T and a picture of an apple will upon a first actuation utter '1' and upon a second actuation will utter 'apple' (perhaps followed by another phrase such as 'mmm delicious') both (or all) only in the foreign' language. The actuator may be accompanied by a graphical representation of the meanings of a plurality of phrases of different meanings uttered respectively when that actuator is repeatedly actuated, e.g. as mentioned above in relation cycling through phrases. Single or such plural representations may be of colours or numbers or tangible objects, e.g. an apple on a green background with a group of five dots, so that successive presses of such an actuator will cause the doll to utter 'apple¹, green', five', successively, e.g. each (possibly first in English then) in Gujarati. As mentioned, it is preferable for the doll to be adapted for a said graphical representation to be pressed in order to actuate an actuator as aforesaid. The doll may comprise clothing that is fixed, e.g. with stitching, to the body of the doll and e.g. bears visibly indicated actuation points for said actuators, e.g. said graphical representations, e.g. to be pressed as aforesaid This may ensure that the actuator positions are defined and/or viewable.

Preferably, one actuator is actuable to switch on and off the uttering function of the doll. This is preferably located on a hand of the doll. The on/off actuator may be so actuable to switch on and off a power supply, and/or may be actuable to switch on and off and to associate such action with causing utterance of a greeting or farewell.

There may be a said actuator on the bottom of each hand and/or foot and/or at the nose and/or at the mouth andfor at an ear and/or at a knee.

The doll preferably is self-supporting in a sitting position. This gives it the air of a teacher compared with it being straight and simply laid down or supported against something, and is more conducive to teaching. Preferably, the doll can be made to be straight as well as self-supporting in a sitting position.

The store is accessible at the doll's back, e.g. in order not to distract the child's attention when being taught phrases, and preferably the doll comprises clothing with an opening for access to the store, more preferably, the opening comprises a micro-hook-and-loop closure, e.g. of the kind known under the trade name Velcro. It is convenient if the doll also comprises a shoestrap having a micro-hook-and-loop closure, e.g. as a further teaching aid (in this case, to use of such a closure); it may be that the 'shoe' is not removable, e.g. simply marked on, or fixed to, the clothing or the doll's body, but the strap can be opened and closed.

The doll preferably comprises a body with a skin substantially entirely of soft fabric; such a doll may be of the kind known in the trade as a ¹PlUSh'. The doll store may be adapted to provide an extended utterance. This could be particularly useful if the doll is intended as an aid to religious learning, e.g. verses or other passages from the Koran. The range of such passages can be greatly increased each time the number of words upon a single actuation is increased. For example, the store may be adapted to provide an extended utterance (compared with the usual single word or phrase of just a few words) of at least ten words upon a single actuation, or again at least twenty words upon a single actuation, or again at least thirty words upon a single actuation, or again at least forty words upon a single actuation, or again at least fifty words upon a single actuation, or again at least sixty words upon a single actuation. Each such increase will vastly increase the range of such passages. From a different point of view, but with possibly similar advantages, the store may be adapted to provide a total of at least two minutes' utterance, or even at least four minutes' utterance.

The dolls may be of clearly different sex, e.g. boy dolls and girl dolls, and/or may be provided of differing ethnicity, e.g. differing clothes and/or cfffering skin colours or tones. For example, the doll adapted to teach passages from the Koran may be a Muslim doll wearing a keffiyeh, and/or (e.g. for religious modesty) may have no actuators on its chest, and/or may have an actuator on its nose which when actuated produces the sound of a sneeze followed by the phrase 'Bless you', in respective languages as indicated above.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a range of such dolls, of differing ethnicity, e.g. for use in a multi-cultural family, or to be available at a shop or other trader's to allow customers to compare and/or select According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a set comprising any such doll or range, and a plurality of said stores interchangeably replaceable in a said doll, each store holding stored phrases which the doll is adapted to cause to be uttered upon suitable actuation and each store comprising the same series of phrases in two languages for utterance by the doll, at least one of the languages differing from one store to another.

In such a set, a said store may comprise a plug-in cartridge, the arrangements being such that corresponding actuation of a said actuator with two such stores will cause utterance of the same phrase in respective languages.

Preferred embodiments can have any one or more of the following features:

1/ Multilingual

2/ Replaceable Cartridge System, whereby each cartridge holds 1 language (with approx 4 minutes of sound).

3/ Actuators, e.g. buttons, are on different parts of the body, e.g. hands and feet, to utter 14 short phrases and 5 or 6 songs, e.g. a number and/or colour pad on torso of doll, e.g. to utter numbers 1 to 10, 4 colours, and 14 objects.

4/ Multiple pictures on buttons, e.g. Number 1 has a picture of an apple.

5/ Dolls represent multi-cultural backgrounds: e.g. European doll, Indian Sub-continent doll, Oriental doll.

6/ Dolls represent both sexes i.e. Girl and Boy dolls available

7/ Material of doll is soft, plush, fabric dolls (whereas a lot of existing dolls are plastic, action-figure type). The packaging and/or instructions with the doll might usefully bear any one or more of the folowing phrases, which indicate features and/or advantages of the doll:

• For age: 2+ years

• The doll that speaks your language

• Learning languages has never been so much fun. • Hello. I'm Desi™ Doll. I'm an Interactive Language doll, that will amuse and enthrall children, whilst teaching them numbers, colours, words, and fun and useful phrases in English and another Language.

• Teaches: numbers, colours, objects, useful phrases, and songs • The activity will stimulate children's curiosity, and therefore encourage exploration.

• Children will enjoy and learn through interactive play.

• Children will like the repetition of the sounds.

• Children will be encouraged to sing-a-long. • Right hand: Hear 7 fun and useful phrases in English first and then the chosen Language

• Left hand: Desi doll introduces herself in English and in chosen language.

• Right foot plays at least 4 different songs in the chosen language

• Left foot Hear 7 fun and useful phrases, in English first and then the chosen Language

• Number pad: Hear the number and the name of the picture in the chosen Language • Colours: Hear the colour and the name of the object in the chosen Language

• Annotations/illustrations:

• Press my tummy to hear me say the number, or say object names, or colours

• Press my right foot to hear songs

• . Desi™ Doll is a BMingual doll, and works using a replaceable cartridge system. Each Cartridge holds English and one other language, e.g. Hindi, Urdu, Gujarati, Bengali, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Mandarin, Japanese,

Arabic, Portuguese, Russian.

• The doll speaks the word or phrase in English first followed by the foreign language. The sound is triggered by pressing the doll's hands, feet, number pad, and colour pad.

• Desi DdI introduces children to basic words like, duck, car, butterfly, numbers 1 to 10, and everyday phrases like: I'm hungry, I'm tired; I want to read a book.

• The doll also sings songs to the tunes of well-known nursery rhymes, reinforcing numbers 1 to 10, parts of the body and actions like clapping hands.

• The Desi™ Doll comes as a raven-haired, brown-haired, or blonde-haired doll. Any language cartridge can be purchased and inserted into the back of any doll. • Helps to teach a child to speak her (family's) mother tongue.

• Playing with Desi ™ Doll helps her to learn new vocabulary effortlessly.

• And because Desi™ Doll speaks English as well as a foreign language she is an equally educational playmate for children who are trying to learn English as a foreign language.

• Desi™ Doll makes your mother tongue popular with your child • Desi™ DdI is your friend. • Desi™ Doll is soft and cuddly.

• Desi™ Doll is fun.

• Desi™ Doll is dfferent

• Desi™ Doll is educational. • Desi™ Doll helps development in the following areas of the Early Learning Goals:

• Personal, social and emotional development

• Communication, language and literacy

• Mathematical development

• Knowledge and understanding of the world • Physical Development

• All dolls meet all the required British and European, Health and Safety requirements CE, EN71 , and are Rons certified.

In a practical embodiment in which the actuators are button switches:

• The toy is a quality talking plush, aimed at teaching. The plush will be approximately 16 inches in length, and will have push buttons in each foot and hand, and also a 0-10 keypad in the chest, and a 4-button colour keypad just below the number pad. All the buttons will be behind the plush outer, including the keypad buttons, and will be large enough to be easily activated by a child of the 2 to 6 years age group.

• When each button is pressed, one of a series of sounds associated with that button is played. On the next press of the same button, the next sound in that series is played. • One of the hand switches will trigger sounds and be the 'power down¹ button (on/off, low current) state. The unit will also enter this state if there has been no activity for several minutes. One of the buttons in the hand will also act as a try me' button.

• All the sounds are to be stored on a removable cartridge, housed in the back of the plush. Each cartridge stores around 240 seconds of sound. • There will be at least three cartridges (containing three different sets of sound languages). Only one will be sold with the doll unit the rest being available for additional purchase at retail outlets.

• Technical Requirements: o Voice:

^■ Voice playback to be a minimum of 16-bit/12KHz ADPCM or equivalent quality CELP or LPC dependent on cost or quality and available storage of current integrated circuits.

■ 240 seconds of voice storage required per cartridge (Winbond™, Sonix™, and so on) ^■ Voice will contain speech and, as well, musical instalment sounds.

^■ It is possible that the music can be stored in the main sound module in Wavetable form, with the cartridge holding just the speech, as the music will be common between the cartridges. However, if this format is chosen, control of playback of the music will need to be programmable in the cartridge in order to fit with the script for that particular cartridge.

^■ The Speaker is to be 40 to 50mm diameter, metal chassis, paper cone type or similar, with reasonable cavity size in order to provide high quality sound. The maximum volume is to be no greater than 11OdBC in order to comply with European toy standards. ■ Volume will be adjusted via a 2 -way slide switch (high/low) on the module (next to the on/off switch), providing 'Quiet' & loucf settings (or could be by one or two of said actuators). o Power & Battery Life

■ Voltage range, 4.8V to 6.4V (3 or 4 AA or AAA sized batteries) ■ Batteries to be replaceable. Using standard alkaline or rechargeable batteries. Battery cover shall be screwed down to comply with European and US toy standards.

■ Holding (pressing) the on/off push button in the hand for more than 1 second will put the unit into a low current, power down state, with "wake up' triggered by pressing the same hand. The plush will also enter this power down state if there has been no activity for more than 2 minutes.

■ Battery Life:

• In low power standby state = greater than 3 months

• In Use / playback = greater than 15 hours' continuous use. 'sical ■ The plush and its sound module will conform to the standard European and US toy safety standards including BS 5665 and BS EN71-1: 2001, and Rohs.

■ For purposes of cost, the connector on each cartridge shall be a PCB edge type.

■ All PCBs to be single sided paper type. Desi™ and Desi Doll™ are trade marks. Reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a Westem' girl doll 10 embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a partial back view of the same; Figure 3 is a back view of the electrical parts of the same; Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of the electrical parts of the same;

Figure 5 is a simplified perspective view of the Figure 1 doll 10, in a self-supporting sitting position; Figure 6 is a simplified front view of a boy doll 101 otherwise substantially identical to the Figure 1 doll 10; and Figure 7 is a view as Figure 6 of a girl Muslim doll 102.

In the drawings, references having the same first two digits refer to items having like functions.

Referring to the drawings, a bilingual doll 10 having a data store 12 and actuators 14 (each one under a precisely positioned representation 16) actuable to cause utterance by the doll 10 from a loudspeaker 18 of selected phrases from the store 12 in first and second languages, the store 12 being adapted to be readily removed from doll 10 (by being held removably in a slot 20 in a voice module 22 located removably in a pocket 24 at the back of the doll's torso closed by a zip fastener 26) to be replaced by a store 121, 122 comprising corresponding phrases in at least one other language.

A said actuator 14, upon a first actuation, causes doll 10 to utter (via loudspeaker 18) a phrase, e.g. ¹HeIIo', from the store 12 in said first language, e.g. English, and, upon a second actuation, causes utterance of the same or equivalent phrase 'Bonjour¹ being 'Hello' translated into said second language, e.g. French; upon a third actuation, it causes utterance of a second phrase, e.g. 'How are you?' from the store 12 in said first language and, upon a fourth actuation, utterance of the second phrase 'Comment vas-tu? being 'How are you?' translated into said second language. Upon further successive actuations, the actuator will cycle through different phrases from the store 12, each in said first language alternating upon the next actuation with the same phrase translated into the second language. Each actuator 14 is accompanied by a graphical representation 16 of the meaning of one or more phrases uttered when that actuator 14 is actuated. For example, actuators 14 under respective representations 161 on the doll's chest 28 form a number keypad for the numbers 1-10 and also for ten common objects, apple, car, cat etc, as seen in Figure 1 , each number and collocated object name being uttered, followed by its translation, upon successive actuations of the appertaining actuator by pressing on that representation 161. Similarly, pressing on representations 162 causes the doll 10 to utter phrases, each being a word naming the colour of that representation 162. An on/off actuator 14, as described above, is under representation 168 on one hand 30 of the doll 10. Further actuators 14 are covered over by the representations 163, 164 on the soles of the feet 32 of the doll 10, pressure on the former, 163, causing the doll 10 to utter songs. Other actuators 14 are covered over by the knees, nose 39, mouth and ears, which may or may not have representations 16 of the associated phrases. In this embodiment, each actuator 14 is accompanied by a graphical representation 16 of the meanings of a plurality of phrases of different meanings uttered respectively when that actuator 14 is repeatedly actuated. To ensure that an actuator 14 remains located correctly with its associated representation 16, the clothes 34 have stitching 36 to fix them to the body 38 of the doll 10, effectively making pockets 40 under representations 16 to hold the actuators 14 firmly and substantially immovably in fixed spatial relationship to their corresponding representations 16. Thus, graphical representations 16 comprise representations 162 of colours and graphical representations 161 of numbers; each graphical representation 16 has to be pressed in order to actuate its corresponding actuator 14 as aforesaid; clothing 34 is fixed to the body 38 of the doll 10 by stitching 36 and bears visibly indicated actuation points, being said graphical representations 16 for said actuators 14; the actuator 14 under graphical representation 162 is actuable to switch on and off the uttering function of the doll 10 by producing a low current power down state or to switch on and off a power supply, the on/off actuator 14 under graphical representation 168 is actuable as aforesaid to switch on and off and to associate such action with causing utterance of a greeting or farewell; the store 12 is accessible at the doll's back 42 and the doll 10 comprises clothing 34 with an opening 44 for access to the store 12, the opening 44 comprising a micro-hook-and-loop closure 46; the doll 10 comprises a shoestrap 48 having a micro-hook- and-loop closure 50, and a body 38 with a skin 56 substantially entirely of soft fabric; the clothing 34 is also substantially entirely of soft fabric. The voice module 22 comprises: a microprocessor 52 with, as indicated in Figure 4, electrical connections 54 to the respective actuators 14 for numbers (marked num1 to num10), colours (marked blue, green red, yellow), left and right hands and feet (so marked) and high and low volume (so marked), though one of the latter may be connected to function as the aforesaid on/off actuator 14; and an accessible and operable battery compartment 58.

Muslim doll 102, Figure 7, is like dolls 10 and 101 but omits their chest actuator pad under representations 161 and has' specifically an actuator 14 under (covered by) the nose 39 as described above in connection with the phrase 'Bless you'. Also, it has special stores 12 that are adapted to provide an extended utterance of at least sixty words upon a single actuation, enabling the doll 102 to recite verses from the Koran, even very long ones, alternately in English and Arabic. These stores 12 are adapted to provide a total of at least four minutes' utterance.

A range of dolls such as 10, 101, 102, and possibly others, is provided to a shop, of differing sex and ethnicity, also a set comprising any such doll 10 etc or range and a plurality of said stores 12 interchangeably replaceable in a said doll 10 etc, each store 12 holding stored phrases which the doll 10 etc is adapted to cause to be uttered upon suitable actuation and each store 12 comprising the same series of phrases in two languages for utterance by the doll 10 etc, at least one of the languages differing from one store 12 to another.

The store 12 is a plug-in cartridge 12, the arrangements, e.g. of the microprocessor 52 and connections 54, being such that corresponding actuation of any actuator 14 with one, and then another, such store 12 will cause utterance of the same phrase in respective languages.

The embodiment may be sold as a kit of parts comprising a doll 10 and at least one data store 12 interchangeably replaceable in said doll 10, the store 12 holding stored phrases in two languages which the doll 10 is adapted to cause to be uttered upon suitable actuation. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, that features of the different embodiments disclosed herein may be omitted, selected, combined or exchanged and the invention is considered to extend to any new and inventive combination thus formed. Where a preference or particularisation is stated, there is implied the possibility of its negative, i.e. a case in which that preference or particularisation is absent

Many variations of the invention and embodiments hereinbefore described will be apparent to people skilled in the art and all such variations are to be considered as falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A bilingual doll having a data stone and actuators actuable to cause utterance of selected phrases from the store in first and second languages, the store being adapted to be readily removed to be replaced by a store comprising corresponding phrases in at least one other language. 2. A doll as claimed in claim 1 , adapted for a said actuator, upon a first actuation, to cause utterance of a phrase from the store in said first language and, upon a second actuation, to cause utterance of the phrase translated into said second language.

3. A doll as claimed in claim 2, adapted for the actuator, upon a third actuation, to cause utterance of a second phrase from the store in said first language and, upon a fourth actuation, to cause utterance of the second phrase translated into said second language.

4. A doll as claimed in claim 3, adapted for the actuator, upon successive actuations, to cycle through different phrases from the store, each in said first language alternating upon the next actuation with the same phrase translated into the second language.

5. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, in which a said actuator is accompanied by a graphical representation of the meaning of a phrase uttered when that actuator is actuated.

6. A doll as claimed in claim 5, in which the actuator is accompanied by a graphical representation of the meanings of a plurality of phrases of different meanings uttered respectively when that actuator is repeatedly actuated.

7. A doll as claimed in claim 5 or 6, in which the graphical representations comprise representations of colours.

8. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 7, in which the graphical representations comprise representations of numbers.

9. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 8, adapted for a said graphical representation to be pressed in order to actuate an actuator as aforesaid.

10. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, which comprises clothing fixed to the body of the doll and bearing visibly indicated actuation points for said actuators. 11. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10₁ which comprises an actuator actuable to switch on and off the uttering function of the doll.

12. A doll as claimed in claim 11, in which the on/off actuator is actuable as aforesaid to switch on and off a power supply.

13. A doll as claimed in claim 11 or 12, in which the on/off actuator is actuable as aforesaid to switch on and off and to associate such action with causing utterance of a greeting or farewell.

14. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, which comprises a said actuator on the bottom of each foot

15. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, which comprises a said actuator at the nose.

16. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, which comprises a said actuator at the mouth.

17. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, which comprises a said actuator at an ear.

18. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17, which comprises a said actuator at a knee.

19. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, which is self-supporting in a sitting position.

20. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 19, in which the store is accessible at the doll's back and the doll comprises clothing with an opening for access to the store, the opening comprising a micro-hook-and-loop closure.

21. A ddl as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20, comprising a shoestrap having a micro-hook-and-loop closure.

22. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21, comprising a body with a skin substantially entirely of soft fabric.

23. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, in which the store is adapted to provide an extended utterance of at least ten words upon a single actuation.

24. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, in which the store is adapted to provide an extended utterance of at least twenty words upon a single actuation.

25. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, in which the store is adapted to provide an extended utterance of at least thirty words upon a single actuation. 26. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, in which the store is adapted to provide an extended utterance of at least forty words upon a single actuation.

28. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, in which the store is adapted to provide an extended utterance of at least fifty words upon a single actuation.

29. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22, in which the store is adapted to provide an extended utterance of at least sixty words upon a single actuation.

30. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 29, in which the store is adapted to provide a total of at least two minutes' utterance.

31. A doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 29, in which the store is adapted to provide a total of at least four minutes' utterance. 32. A doll substantially according to any embodiment hereinbefore described.

33. A doll substantially according to any embodiment hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

34. A range of dolls, each as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33, of differing ethnicity.

35. A set comprising a doll or range as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 34 and a plurality of said stores interchangeably replaceable in a said doll, each store holding stored phrases which the doll is adapted to cause to be uttered upon suitable actuation and each store comprising the same series of phrases in two languages for utterance by the doll, at least one of the languages differing from one store to another.

36. A set as claimed in claimed 35, in which a said store comprises a plug-in cartridge, the arrangements being such that corresponding actuation of a said actuator with two such stores will cause utterance of the same phrase in respective languages.

37. A kit of parts comprising a doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33, and at least one data store interchangeably replaceable in said doll, the store holding stored phrases in two languages which the doll is adapted to cause to be uttered upon suitable actuation.

38. A store adapted to be interchangeably replaceable in a doll as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33, the store holding stored phrases in two languages which the doll is adapted to cause to be uttered upon suitable actuation.

39. A range or set of dolls or a kit of parts or a store, substantially according to any embodiment hereinbefore described.

40. A range or set of dolls or a kit of parts or a store, substantially according to any embodiment hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.