How do Barbie and Ken speak? An analysis of the speech of the movie characters (in the Polish-language version)

Abstract

The article investigates the language used by the movie characters Barbie and Ken in the film Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig. The Polish dubbing version is the subject of analysis. The author posits that the language of film characters is a contributing factor in the formation of their respective stereotypes. In the case of Barbie and Ken, this is significant, since both characters are cultural icons, and their stereotypical image is well-known in many cultures. Consequently, they can be regarded as exemplifying a specific gender and social group, and the utterances in question can be viewed as a gender-dependent variant of language and a variant of language characteristic of one particular social group. Given the exaggerated nature of Barbie and Ken’s utterances, it is necessary to consider them as stylised. Furthermore, they leave considerable scope for interpretation. It could be argued that the film is a satire of the feminist movement and an indictment of an order based on male domination. Alternatively, it could be seen as a representation of the voices of women and men in the struggle for equal rights.