How’s it hanging folks?

When we were asked to review a language learning app this week, a montage of every single Duo Lingo, Linguee type app I have ever downloaded flashed through my head like those scenes from the first 5 minutes of “Up”. Those apps you enthusiastically download while on a language learning high, proceed never to use again. To be very honest with you I don’t use language apps half as much as I should. I do however frequent the odd dictionary or two so I’ve decided to review one of them instead.

Teanglann

Teanglann is an absolute lifesaver when it comes to anything to do with Irish grammar. If like me you struggle with knowing the gender of every single noun and how they change in different cases, this is the perfect app for you.  You can download 3 different Irish language dictionaries; An English-Irish dictionary (helpful for beginners), foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla (helpful for those wanting to immerse themselves and learn through the Irish language) and foclóir beag (focuses on dialects and has a more “attention to detail” approach). There is also a fantastic Grammar Database with over 43,000 files containing verbs, nouns, adjectives and prepositions plus sound files to help with pronunciation. After the extensive grammar resources, the sound files are one of my favourite aspects of this app. Like we talked about in last weeks blog Irish cannot be learned purely through reading. 

The language is not phonetic in the slightest and so having 66,000 sound files in the three major dialects of Irish sets this dictionary head and shoulders above any other online dictionary I’ve come across. The problem with so many language learning apps these days is the amount of material you have to download with them. However with the Teanglann app you only download the database you want or need to use offline. Not only that but there is also a ‘favourites’ feature to help you save your favourite entries.

I think the reason Teanglann suits me so much is because it gives you the freedom to use it the way you want to use. A core characteristic of CALL is moving beyond the restrictions of textbooks and teachers (Beatty, 2010, pg. 2). One could say that as a dictionary the language learning potential is limited however I would say that because there is no student teacher relationship built into the this app, the language learning potential is unlimited. I like to be in control of my language learning experience, to in search of and look up relevant information myself, rather than the teacher factor being included in the app. In this way Teanglann really fits my learning style. Teanglann approaches language learning as though teaching a child. They fully immerse the learner in the language which is known to be one of the most beneficial ways to assimilate a language (Ó Mhurchú, 1967, pg. 205). In addition, Teanglann is as practical as possible, there’s no fluff, no extra irrelevant information. In addition to this I find it to have genuine and authentic feel to it. For me Teanglann has been a treasure chest of seanfhocails and nath caintes that you wouldn’t find in the average dictionary.

Is dócha go raibh sé sin cabhrach!

See ya later,

Saoirse x

Beatty, K. (2010). Teaching and researching computer-assisted language learning (2nd ed.). Harlow: Longman.

Ó Murchú, M. (1967). Buntús Gaelige: Réamhtuarascáil ar thaighde teangeolaíochta a rinneadh sa Teanglann, Rinn Mhic Gormáin (Book Review). The Irish Journal of Education / Iris Eireannach an Oideachais. Educational Research Centre, St. Patrick’s College.