Latest Update: 11 December 2023
Y'all know the app. Ya'll either love it or hate it. But there is no way to escape it. It's Duolingo.
Are all my language enthusiasts and fellow translators ready?
The 2023 Duolingo Language Report is here and I'm going to take a look at what trends we're seeing and how it compares with the 2022 Duolingo Language Report from the year before. While you may or may not like Duolingo's language learning methods, we can't ignore that it has over 500 million learners and 40+ languages. Duolingo is undeniably a rockstar among education apps and it gives us epic insights into language learning trends. Read more below.
What did it look like in 2022?
By 2022, the impact of the pandemic was slowing down and people seemed to be returning to their schedules and daily lives, but that definitely didn't mean that new waves of both ease and difficulty wouldn't assist in painting the picture of the global landscape when it came to language learning.
Ukraine Was On Everyone's Lips
With the devastating events in Ukraine, the biggest plot twist of the year was the global obsession with learning Ukrainian. Over 1.3 million language people worldwide decided to embrace the power of words in solidarity. In countries like Argentina, Japan, and Vietnam flexed their language muscles by learning Ukrainian and you'd also see several apps decide to localize their apps into Ukrainian. In the aftermath of the invasion, the world stood united, and Ukrainian became the superhero language of the year. No doubt.
English, French, and Spanish Were Still Popular
While Ukrainianstole the spotlight, English, French, and Spanish held their ground as the popular languages everyone wanted a piece of. But is that actually a surprise? It is estimated that over 2.37 billion people speak English, French, and Spanish combined – so they can easily come in handy. What’s truly intriguing is the subtle shift in interests – learners worldwide are now exploring practical and professional reasons for language study. Move over, textbooks; the language classroom just got a professional makeover!
Less Travels, More Homestays
In 2022, the world still yearned for adventures, as travelers tended to opt for cozy staycations instead of venturing into the linguistic unknown. That also meant that the portion of new learners hitting the books for travel reasons dipped a bit.
Polyglot Paradise: How Many Languages Can You Learn?
Ever wondered if you can juggle multiple languages at once? Well, 2022 showed you that you can! Finland and the U.K. are the champions of language multitasking, proving that when it comes to languages, it's always the more, the merrier. Gotta catch them all. 🌍🗣️✨
So what happened in the 2023 Duolingo Language Report?
In the realm of language enthusiasts and translators, the Duolingo Language Reports serve as a compass, guiding learners through the ever-evolving landscape of linguistic trends. As we delve into a comparative translation between the 2022 and 2023 reports, a fascinating narrative unfolds, revealing shifts in language learning preferences and global dynamics.
Ukrainian Keeps Going
We saw a global obsession with learning Ukrainian in 2022, symbolizing solidarity after the Russian invasion, and that was far from the end of it. Ukrainian learning remains steady throughout 2023, emphasizing solidarity as the driving force. The countries with the most Ukrainian learners include the U.S., the U.K., Poland, Russia, and Ukraine.
Top Languages Worldwide
In 2022, English, French, and Spanish maintained their popularity as go-to languages for learners globally. When comparing to 2023, English maintained its top position by being studied in more than 122 countries (+3 compared to last year). However, Korean jumped to the 6th spot on Duolingo, overtaking Italian, and Portuguese entered top 10, overtaking Russian, which partly reflects and increased cultural and linguistic interest in both Brazil and Portugal. It's also worth noting that 72% of new Portuguese learners are under 30! (Note! Duolingo only offers Brazilian Portuguese and not European Portuguese).
Germany, Denmark, and Sweden – What's New?
In 2023, Germany surpassed the U.K. in the percentage of learners studying three or more languages, showing how Germans are eager to learn more about other languages and cultures. There was also a noteworthy shift in language preferences in Sweden. Contrary to tradition, Swedish has relinquished its long-standing position at the top, now ranked second. Surprisingly, the most sought-after language for study in Sweden has become Spanish. A parallel trend is observed in Denmark, where Danish, once holding the second position, has been surpassed. Presently, the leading languages in Denmark are Spanish and German.
What Does the Shift from 2022 to 2023 Say?
The Duolingo Language Reports first and foremost tells the story of Ukrainian resilience, but also of shifts in global language preferences, and the dynamic evolution of Duolingo's offerings paints a vivid picture of the multifaceted world of languages. In the coming years, language enthusiasts can eagerly anticipate further revelations and innovations in this ever-expanding landscape. Keep calm and keep learning those languages!
What's to Come in 2024: A Translator's Take on Duolingo's Insights
As we step into the new year, the Duolingo Language Reports for 2022 and 2023 provide intriguing insights that hint at the language learning trends likely to shape 2024. English likely maintains its global dominance, as it solidified its position as the number 1 language studied – up to 122 countries. With shifts like Korean surpassing Italian and Portuguese pushing out Russian of the top 10, the global language landscape remains dynamic, influenced by cultural changes and geopolitical events. Maybe we will see similar trends for Hebrew and Arabic?
The generational divide in language learning motivations persists, with Gen Z driving interest in less commonly studied languages. Regional preferences also evolve, as seen with Spanish overtaking Swedish in Sweden. These trends, coupled with advancements in technology and evolving learner motivations, set the stage for an exciting and dynamic year ahead in language learning. I'm excited to see what 2024 has to offer!
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