Arabnet Arabnet

If you’re looking to learn a new language via an app, it’s very difficult to beat Duolingo. Firstly, it is completely free; no fees, no subscriptions, and no ads cluttering the app. Secondly, while you’re learning, you would be helping Duolingo translate the web into other languages “enabling a wealth of language shackled information to be liberated for all of humanity.”

The idea behind Duolingo is rather ingenious. Its founder, Luis Von Ahn, initially sought to translate content on the web. The difficulty was finding adequate personnel that can handle the task, and the second hurdle was financing that endeavor.

While Duolingo’s primary purpose is to teach users foreign languages, it practically also works as a translation platform. The combined translations that the app produces are as accurate as those of professional translators. Think of it as a crowdsourcing translation for accuracy.

How It Works

The app is simple to use . You will be asked to translate sentences from the web. These sentences will be chosen based on your level. Sentences will be shown in the language you are trying to learn and you will be asked to translate them it into your native language, or a language you are comfortable with. Languages available right now are Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, and English. If you can’t translate some words, hovering over them will show you the answer. Duolingo will then help you memorize the new word using educational examples, and you get to vote on the accuracy of the translated word.

Sentences are translated by multiple people in order to make sure that the translation is correct. Translations that receive the highest number of votes are chosen, while low score ones are discarded.

The app is available for iOS and Android. You should at least give it a shot; it’s free!