Our EU-funded international project, IndyLan, has developed a mobile application designed for users to learn some of Europe’s endangered languages and more about the cultures associated with them. The IndyLan app will help speakers of English, Spanish, Norwegian, Swedish and Finnish to learn Gaelic, Scots, Cornish, Basque, Galician and Northern Saami, all endangered at different degrees.

The IndyLan app contains more than 4,000 vocabulary items (both terms and expressions) in about 100 categories. The tabs that are available in the app are: Vocabulary; Phrases; Dialogues; Grammar; Culture. The vocabulary can be practised in several study modes, and items are illustrated for easy concept recognition. There is audio for all vocabulary, phrases, dialogues etc. 

What makes the app stand out is its dedicated Culture tab with texts, music and images, where users will be able to learn more about the heritage and culture of the people speaking the selected endangered languages.

Like all language-learning apps, IndyLan is complementary to other language- and culture courses and can be considered to be part of self-study material.

The IndyLan app is available for free in both iOS and Android. Our vision is for the IndyLan app to contribute to endangered language learning and revitalisation so that these languages remain alive and relevant in contemporary societies and economies.