Show HN: I made a word puzzles app for improving your English vocabulary
(dictionarygames.io)
There are more than 100,000 words in the English language. A typical native speaker knows more than 10,000. How many do you know?
There are more than 100,000 words in the English language. A typical native speaker knows more than 10,000. How many do you know?
Show HN: NewWord – AI powered personal vocabulary collector
(newword.app)
Supports the vast majority of languages, NewWord can expands your personal dictionary with AI.
Supports the vast majority of languages, NewWord can expands your personal dictionary with AI.
Show HN: YapCards (iOS) – Voice-driven flashcards with AI feedback
(ycombinator.com)
I wanted to be able to practice Spanish vocab while on my commute to work so I created YapCards. It's an iOS app focused on making flashcard studying hands-free & efficient.
I wanted to be able to practice Spanish vocab while on my commute to work so I created YapCards. It's an iOS app focused on making flashcard studying hands-free & efficient.
Accents in latent spaces: How AI hears accent strength in English
(boldvoice.com)
We work with accents a lot at BoldVoice, the AI-powered accent coaching app for non-native English speakers. Accents are subtle patterns in speech—vowel shape, timing, pitch, and more. Usually, you need a linguist to make sense of these qualities. However, our goal at BoldVoice is to get machines to understand accents, and machines don’t think like linguists. So, we ask: how does a machine learning model understand an accent, and specifically, how strong it is?
We work with accents a lot at BoldVoice, the AI-powered accent coaching app for non-native English speakers. Accents are subtle patterns in speech—vowel shape, timing, pitch, and more. Usually, you need a linguist to make sense of these qualities. However, our goal at BoldVoice is to get machines to understand accents, and machines don’t think like linguists. So, we ask: how does a machine learning model understand an accent, and specifically, how strong it is?
The language brain matters more for programming than the math brain? (2020)
(massivesci.com)
A recent study published from researchers at the University of Washington showed that language ability and problem solving skills best predict how quickly people learn Python, a popular programming language.
A recent study published from researchers at the University of Washington showed that language ability and problem solving skills best predict how quickly people learn Python, a popular programming language.
Why is English so weirdly different from other languages?
(aeon.co)
English speakers know that their language is odd. So do people saddled with learning it non-natively. The oddity that we all perceive most readily is its spelling, which is indeed a nightmare. In countries where English isn’t spoken, there is no such thing as a ‘spelling bee’ competition. For a normal language, spelling at least pretends a basic correspondence to the way people pronounce the words. But English is not normal.
English speakers know that their language is odd. So do people saddled with learning it non-natively. The oddity that we all perceive most readily is its spelling, which is indeed a nightmare. In countries where English isn’t spoken, there is no such thing as a ‘spelling bee’ competition. For a normal language, spelling at least pretends a basic correspondence to the way people pronounce the words. But English is not normal.
LibreLingo – FOSS Alternative to Duolingo
(librelingo.app)
LibreLingo was created by Dániel Kántor and various contributors.
LibreLingo was created by Dániel Kántor and various contributors.
Duolingo will replace contract workers with AI
(theverge.com)
Duolingo will “gradually stop using contractors to do work that AI can handle,” according to an all-hands email sent by co-founder and CEO Luis von Ahn announcing that the company will be “AI-first.”
Duolingo will “gradually stop using contractors to do work that AI can handle,” according to an all-hands email sent by co-founder and CEO Luis von Ahn announcing that the company will be “AI-first.”
Show HN: I built an app so I could read the 3 Body-Problem in Chinese
(readly.ink)
No more time lost looking words up and adding to Anki flashcards. Do it all with Readly, in a single tap.
No more time lost looking words up and adding to Anki flashcards. Do it all with Readly, in a single tap.
To the brain, Esperanto and Klingon appear the same as English or Mandarin
(news.mit.edu)
A new study finds natural and invented languages elicit similar responses in the brain’s language-processing network.
A new study finds natural and invented languages elicit similar responses in the brain’s language-processing network.
How to learn a new language like a baby
(theconversation.com)
Learning a new language later in life can be a frustrating, almost paradoxical experience. On paper, our more mature and experienced adult brains should make learning easier, yet it is illiterate toddlers who acquire languages with apparent ease, not adults.
Learning a new language later in life can be a frustrating, almost paradoxical experience. On paper, our more mature and experienced adult brains should make learning easier, yet it is illiterate toddlers who acquire languages with apparent ease, not adults.
Learn Arabic
(arabic.fi)
Arabic is my life. Learning Arabic is the best thing I have done. Thanks to Arabic, I have discovered poetry. Learning Arabic is fun and easy, if you have the right tools. This is the website I wish I had when I started learning Arabic.
Arabic is my life. Learning Arabic is the best thing I have done. Thanks to Arabic, I have discovered poetry. Learning Arabic is fun and easy, if you have the right tools. This is the website I wish I had when I started learning Arabic.
The Japanese App Where Everyone Speaks Chinese (But Not Really)
(sixthtone.com)
In December 2024, a solo Japanese software developer known as asa quietly uploaded a new program to the Apple and major Android app stores. Called Tsuita, it’s essentially an ultra-simple online platform with just a single, rudimentary function: allowing users to post short, text-only messages.
In December 2024, a solo Japanese software developer known as asa quietly uploaded a new program to the Apple and major Android app stores. Called Tsuita, it’s essentially an ultra-simple online platform with just a single, rudimentary function: allowing users to post short, text-only messages.
The Mandarin Scrolls (官卷) – A Mandarin Language Learning Mental RPG
(mandoscrolls.com)
For Cantonese, check out The Cantonese Scrolls (粵卷).
For Cantonese, check out The Cantonese Scrolls (粵卷).
Show HN: A New Way to Learn Languages
(langturbo.com)
Learn faster with podcasts and the latest language learning research.
Learn faster with podcasts and the latest language learning research.
Show HN: Grammarly-like extension for any language
(chromewebstore.google.com)
Instantly improve your writing to native-level in any language with Nativish's AI-powered writing assistant
Instantly improve your writing to native-level in any language with Nativish's AI-powered writing assistant
The Cantonese Scrolls – A Cantonese language learning mental RPG
(cantoscrolls.com)
Welcome to The Cantonese Scrolls (粵卷) - A Cantonese Language Learning Mental RPG.
Welcome to The Cantonese Scrolls (粵卷) - A Cantonese Language Learning Mental RPG.
Ask HN: Moving a not-for-profit web app off AWS
(ycombinator.com)
I'm developing an app to help foreign Buddhist monks in Thailand learn Thai and Pali languages. The app incorporates LLMs for interactive learning, and I'm experimenting with spaced repetition techniques within chatbot interfaces and for long-form text memorization.
I'm developing an app to help foreign Buddhist monks in Thailand learn Thai and Pali languages. The app incorporates LLMs for interactive learning, and I'm experimenting with spaced repetition techniques within chatbot interfaces and for long-form text memorization.
Duolingo's Video Call Offers Realistic Conversation Practice
(duolingo.com)
Picture this: You finally make it to Italy after months of planning your trip. You want to ask the hotel concierge for a dinner recommendation, but when it comes time to speak to them in Italian, you freeze! Does this experience sound familiar?
Picture this: You finally make it to Italy after months of planning your trip. You want to ask the hotel concierge for a dinner recommendation, but when it comes time to speak to them in Italian, you freeze! Does this experience sound familiar?