FluentSubs offers a Duolingo-like language learning experience using real-world content sourced from news articles and podcasts. Users complete interactive exercises, including fill-in-the-blanks, multiple-choice, and listening comprehension, based on authentic materials. This approach aims to provide more engaging and relevant practice with contemporary language and real-world contexts than traditional language learning methods. The platform currently offers exercises in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Japanese.
This Chrome extension, called Fakey, translates Japanese manga and Korean manhwa in real-time. It uses machine translation to overlay the original text with the chosen target language, allowing readers to enjoy these comics without needing pre-translated versions. Fakey supports a variety of languages and aims to make manga and manhwa more accessible to a global audience. It works directly within the browser, making the translation process seamless and convenient for readers.
HN commenters generally expressed skepticism and concern about Fakey's claims. Several pointed out the difficulty of accurately translating comics, especially with nuances like slang, onomatopoeia, and visual context. Some questioned the feasibility of real-time translation within a browser extension, suspecting significant server-side processing was involved, raising privacy concerns. Others mentioned existing, albeit imperfect, solutions and wondered about Fakey's comparative advantages. A few commenters requested information on pricing and the languages supported, while others simply dismissed the project as unlikely to deliver on its promises. The overall sentiment leaned towards cautious disapproval.
Ereader Easy Swedish is a website offering free, simplified Swedish texts for language learners. It features a growing library of public domain books adapted to different skill levels (A1-B2) by shortening sentences, replacing complex vocabulary, and adding glossaries. The site aims to make reading enjoyable and accessible for learners, providing a bridge between basic textbook learning and authentic Swedish literature. Users can read directly on the website or download ebooks in EPUB, MOBI, and PDF formats for offline use on various devices.
HN users generally found the Ereader Easy Swedish project interesting and useful for language learning. Several commenters praised its simplicity and focus on sentence mining, noting its potential as a more engaging alternative to traditional textbook learning. Some offered suggestions for improvement, such as including audio, adding support for other languages, and incorporating spaced repetition features. One commenter pointed out the potential copyright issues of using copyrighted books. Others discussed the efficacy of sentence mining and different approaches to language acquisition. There was also a brief discussion of the technical aspects of the project, with one commenter asking about the used stack.
TranslateManga offers a free web-based tool to instantly translate manga. Users simply upload a manga page image, and the service automatically detects text bubbles, translates them into the chosen language, and overlays the translation onto the original image. It supports a wide range of languages and aims to make reading manga in any language accessible and effortless. The translated manga pages can then be downloaded for offline viewing.
HN users discussed the legality and ethics of TranslateManga, given that it translates and republishes manga without explicit permission from copyright holders. Some expressed concern about the potential for abuse and negative impact on the manga industry, while others argued that it provides valuable access to content otherwise unavailable to non-Japanese speakers. Technical discussion centered around the quality of the translations, with some praising its accuracy while others pointed out frequent errors and awkward phrasing. Several commenters also suggested alternative translation methods and tools, and debated the practicality of machine translation versus human translation for manga. The potential for the site to improve language learning was also mentioned. A few users questioned the site's monetization strategy and the long-term viability of the project.
UK Data Explorer created an interactive map showcasing common words across Europe in over 30 languages. Users can select a word from a list (e.g., "bread," "beer," "house") and see its translation displayed on the map, color-coded by linguistic similarity. The map highlights the diversity and evolution of languages across the continent, revealing interesting etymological relationships and regional variations. It serves as a visual tool for exploring language families and how words have spread and changed over time.
Hacker News users discussed the methodology and potential issues of the European word translator map. Several commenters pointed out inaccuracies and oversimplifications in the data, particularly regarding dialects and false cognates. Some suggested improvements, like including IPA transcriptions to show pronunciation differences and adding more granular detail to regional variations. The map's visualization choices, such as using size to represent speaker numbers, also drew criticism for being potentially misleading. Others praised the project's overall concept and educational value, acknowledging its limitations while still finding it an interesting tool. There was also discussion about the difficulties of representing linguistic data visually and the complexities of European language families.
LangTurbo offers a new approach to language learning by focusing on rapid vocabulary acquisition. It uses spaced repetition and personalized learning paths to help users quickly learn the most frequent words and phrases in a target language. The platform features interactive exercises, progress tracking, and aims to make language learning faster and more efficient than traditional methods. It emphasizes practical communication skills, promising to equip learners with the vocabulary needed for everyday conversations and basic fluency.
HN users discuss LangTurbo, a language learning platform incorporating AI. Several commenters express skepticism about the claimed efficacy of AI in language learning, particularly regarding pronunciation correction and personalized feedback. Some find the pricing concerning, especially for users outside the US. Others question the platform's novelty, comparing it to existing tools like Duolingo and Anki. A few express interest in trying the platform but remain cautious, desiring more evidence of its effectiveness beyond marketing claims. Overall, the reception is mixed, with a prevalent theme of cautious curiosity tempered by skepticism about AI's role in language acquisition.
Wordpecker is an open-source vocabulary building application inspired by Duolingo, designed for personalized learning. Users input their own word lists, and the app uses spaced repetition and various exercises like multiple-choice, listening, and writing to reinforce memorization. It offers a customizable learning experience, allowing users to tailor the difficulty and focus on specific areas. The project is still under development, but the core functionality is present and usable, offering a free alternative to similar commercial software.
HN commenters generally praised the project's clean interface and focused approach to vocabulary building. Several suggested improvements, including adding spaced repetition, importing word lists, and providing example sentences. Some expressed skepticism about the long-term viability of a web-based app without a mobile component. The developer responded to many comments, acknowledging the suggestions and outlining their plans for future development, including exploring mobile options and integrating spaced repetition. There was also discussion about the challenges of monetizing such a tool and alternative approaches to vocabulary acquisition.
Summary of Comments ( 105 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43543235
HN users generally praised the idea and execution of FluentSubs, particularly its use of real-world content like news clips for language learning. Some expressed interest in adding support for additional languages beyond the currently offered Spanish, French, and German. Several commenters discussed the challenges of acquiring and licensing copyrighted news material. One user pointed out potential accessibility issues for deaf or hard-of-hearing learners. Others suggested improvements like slowing down audio, adding visual aids, and incorporating spaced repetition. There was also a discussion about the effectiveness of Duolingo's gamified approach versus more traditional language learning methods.
The Hacker News post "Show HN: Duolingo-style exercises but with real-world content like the news" linking to https://app.fluentsubs.com/exercises/daily sparked a discussion with several interesting comments.
Many users praised the idea of using real-world content for language learning, finding it more engaging and relevant than traditional textbook exercises. One commenter specifically appreciated the connection to current events, stating it could make learning more motivating. Another echoed this sentiment, adding that using real-world materials allows learners to encounter natural language and colloquialisms they might not find in structured courses.
Several users discussed the technical aspects of the platform. One asked about the source of the transcripts and how accuracy was ensured, highlighting concerns about potential errors in automatically generated transcripts. The creator of the platform, who actively participated in the thread, responded explaining they use a combination of human-created and AI-generated transcripts, with plans to improve accuracy and add features like manual transcript correction. This exchange demonstrated a focus on quality and responsiveness to user feedback.
The pricing model also came under discussion. Some users questioned the subscription-based model, comparing it to free alternatives like Anki. The creator defended the pricing by explaining it covered costs like transcript generation and server maintenance, and also highlighted the value proposition of curated content and a user-friendly interface. This prompted further discussion about the balance between free and paid language learning resources, with some users advocating for open-source solutions.
A few commenters shared their personal experience using the platform, offering both praise and constructive criticism. One user complimented the user interface and the selection of content but suggested adding features like speed control for the audio. Another user appreciated the innovative approach but pointed out the potential difficulty of understanding complex topics in a foreign language.
Finally, the conversation touched upon broader topics related to language acquisition. One commenter emphasized the importance of active recall and spaced repetition, suggesting these techniques could be further integrated into the platform. Another discussed the challenges of learning different language families, highlighting the potential benefits of tailoring the exercises to specific linguistic structures.
Overall, the comments section reflects a generally positive reception to the platform, with users appreciating the innovative approach of using real-world content for language learning. The discussion also highlighted technical considerations, pricing concerns, and user experience feedback, providing valuable insights for the platform's development.