Mandla (app)
Mandla is an African subscription-based language learning software and e-learning platform, available in various languages since January 2021. The app is available for web, iOS and Android.[1][2]
History[edit]
Mandla is operated by Mandla Inc. in Cambridge, Massachusetts.[3]
The company was founded in January 2021 by a group of students, first-generation African immigrants to the United States hailing from Burkina Faso, Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. The founding team included Wenitte Apiou, Delanyo Mensah, Boluwaji (BJ) Odufuwa, Emeka Ezike, and Kwesi Afrifa,[2][4] students from various universities, including Vanderbilt, Harvard, and MIT.[5] In January 2022, the language learning platform went online with community features as a free beta version. Mandla was officially founded in 2021 by Wenitte Apiou and Boluwaji Odufuwa.[6]
Overview[edit]
The word Mandla comes from the Nguni word "amandla", which means "power".[6] The app is currently designed to help English-speaking users learn one or multiple of the 15 African languages offered, but promises to regulate to serve those with other native languages in the future.[7] Mandla features game-like lessons including fun characters to help users develop strong reading, writing, listening, and pronunciation skills, as well as a translation feature in app.[8]
Mandla also offers audio chatrooms for users to practice speaking as well as messaging features.
Mandla focuses on teaching African languages, building an African language database to improve translation models, and preserving the African cultures. The app was launched with Yoruba, Igbo, Swahili, Zulu, Mooré, and Twi on board, with plans to expand the platform eventually having each African major language on it.[9]
Wenitte Apiou serves as the CEO of Mandla,[9] headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts.[3]
In 2022 Mandla introduced the Mandla Dictionary project to transliterate African languages.[10]
References[edit]
- ↑ Oparada, Pascal (2021-12-21). "No Hausa language in new app that 'speaks' Yoruba, Igbo built by Africans". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Dosunmu, Damilare (2021-12-09). "This may be African languages' best bet against extinction". TechCabal. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Bloomberg - Are you a robot?". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ↑ Eyimegwu, Ekene; Eyimegwu, Ekene (2022-03-01). "Mandla, The Application For Learning African languages". Connect Nigeria. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ↑ "Mandla Launches Its All African Language App, Celebrates Over 75,000-User Downloads". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "How Mandla, An African Language E-learning Platform Is Helping To Preserve African Languages | AmeyawDebrah.com". 2022-01-22. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ↑ Monteiro, Ashley. "Uplifting African culture through a new language app". The Vanderbilt Hustler. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ↑ Interesante, Alberto PayoPeriodista especializado en tecnología y cultura Co-fundador y responsable editorial de Applicantes Colaborador de Muy; Insider, Business; Digital, Escudo; fotografía, Merca2 y laBerrea89 Amante de la; Cine, El; Comics, Los. "Mandla, una app para aprender lenguas africanas de manera sencilla". Applicantes - Información sobre apps y juegos para móviles (in español). Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ↑ Newsfile. "Mandla Learning App Adds More Innovative Features". Benzinga. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
- ↑ GetNews. "Mandla App Introduces Dictionary to Transliterate African Languages, Revives Near-Extinct Languages". Digital Journal. Retrieved 2022-10-30.
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