If you want to learn Urdu and can’t find it on Duolingo, don’t worry! There is a fix for this.
Thanks to Duolingo and other apps, learning a new language has never been easier. Urdu, the national language of Pakistan, may be one such language you are interested in learning.
Can You Find Urdu on Duolingo?
Unfortunately, Urdu is not currently available on Duolingo for no definitive reasons. But there are other apps that you can use to take Urdu courses.
Why Doesn’t Duolingo Have Urdu?
No doubt, Duolingo is a great app that offers a wide range of languages. But not all languages are available.
Developing a comprehensive Urdu course can pose significant challenges, requiring considerable time, effort, and expertise. Furthermore, Duolingo may give preference to languages with larger user bases, or those that are structurally similar to the ones already available on the platform.
Adding Urdu lessons to Duolingo shouldn’t be a difficult task since it already offers Hindi. Hindi and Urdu share similarities. Surprisingly, Duolingo does not currently include Urdu in its language options.
Who Speaks Urdu?
Urdu belongs to an Indo-European language family. There are approximately 70 million Native Urdu speakers. About 160 million people use Urdu as a second language. It is a member of the Indo-Aryan group that people of South Asia, particularly Pakistanis, speak.
In Pakistan, Urdu has an official status. Urdu also carries an official status in several states of India, including West Bengal, Jharkhand Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Telangana. The Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the national capital territory of Delhi also have Urdu as an official language.
Besides cultural importance, Urdu is also a language of poetry and literature. Its historical centers are Karachi, Lucknow, Delhi, and Deccan. Moreover, you may find Urdu-speaking communities all over the world, including North America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, Oceania, and the Caribbean region.
Is Urdu Hard To Learn?
To give you an idea, Urdu is a category III language or “Hard Language,” as FSI declares. It is quite a difficult language for English speakers due to its unique pronunciation, right-to-left writing, and Perso-Arabic script Nastaliq. It is also important to note here that English has also taken some words from Urdu with their meaning.
But, if you ask Persia and Arab natives, they won’t find it that difficult. This is because Urdu incorporates numerous words from these two languages, including Sindhi, Pashto, Turkish, Sanskrit, and others, thereby sharing vocabulary. It is through this amalgamation that Urdu becomes a Lashkari Zuban.
If you want to learn Urdu, 44 weeks or 1100 hours of Urdu classes will help you achieve proficiency.
Is Urdu More Like Arabic or Hindi?
Hindustani language is a unifying language that contains Urdu and Hindi. Both languages share similar vocabulary bases, grammar, syntax, and phonology. That’s why speakers can understand the casual form of both languages.
However, these two languages originate from different sources. Urdu, being a Persian language, incorporates Arabic words as well. On the other hand, Hindi finds its roots in Sanskrit. This distinction is why the formal versions of Hindi and Urdu may be less mutually intelligible.
Additionally, Urdu and Arabic have different language families. Arabic belongs to the Afro-Asiatic language, whereas Urdu belongs to the Indo-European language family. Therefore, Urdu is more like Hindi than Arabic.
How Can I Learn Urdu?
To learn the language, explore online platforms that offer comprehensive Urdu courses. Choose the right course according to your level of expertise, cost, location, and resources.
Reputable websites like Rosetta Stone and various language learning platforms provide structured lessons and interactive exercises to help you learn independently. Don’t forget to schedule your study.
Moreover, connect with native Urdu speakers interested in language exchange. Platforms like iTalki and Tandem can help you find language partners to practice speaking and improve your conversational skills.
Best Apps To Learn Urdu:
While Duolingo Urdu is not available, we have your back. Here is a list of fantastic alternative apps and resources to aid your language learning journey.
1. Mango Languages
Mango Languages offers a well-designed Urdu course with user-friendly lessons and interactive activities. With a rating of 4.8 on the Apple App Store, it is the best app for structured classes. It focuses on practical conversations and cultural insights, making your learning experience engaging and effective.
Mango offers you a mix of reading and listening activities to enhance your pronunciation, grammatical structure, and vocabulary.
You get a 14-day free trial. The trial gives you access to all languages and features. You can also access Mango Languages free from public libraries or other educational institutions. Its subscription plans start at $7.99/month. You also get a discount on a yearly subscription.
Pros:
- Personalized review experience
- Intuitive language construction
- Conversation-based methodology
Cons:
- Repetitive content
- Not suitable for intermediate and advanced learners
2. UrduPod101
This app provides audio and video lessons for learners of all levels. With a wide range of topics and lesson formats, UrduPod101 allows you to practice listening, speaking, and reading skills at your convenience.
Its gamified learning approach offers flashcards, slideshows, and word lists that help you retain all the information. You also get slowed-down audio so that you never miss anything.
UrduPod101 offers a free basic plan with limited access. Their premium subscription starts at around $8/month and provides full access to all lessons and additional features.
Pros:
- Personalized program
- Personal feedback
- Fun and effective
- One-on-one lessons
- Best for listening practice
Cons:
- Limited free content
- Advanced lessons may require a premium subscription
3. Ling:
With a rating of 4.8/5 on the Google Apps Store, Ling is a free and easy app for learning Urdu. With Ling, you just have to spend 10 minutes a day.
Practice speaking with locals, listen to 200 dialogues, and learn basic Urdu free with engaging games. But to access all features, you need to subscribe.
Subscription starts at $8.99 per month. It offers you a Chabot to help you practice your vocabulary and pronunciation.
Pros:
- Personal feedback
- Track of Progress
- Checkpoint quizzes to test your learning
- Mini-games make it fun to use
Cons:
- Small font
- No explanation of grammar
- Not suitable for intermediate and advanced learners
4. Memrise:
Memrise features user-generated lessons and a spaced repetition system to help you memorize Urdu words and phrases effectively.
This app not only provides learning opportunities but also offers a platform for practicing. Users can explore various conversations aligned with their interests. Memrise offers interactive flashcards and a chatbot feature to facilitate learning of day-to-day conversations.
With a rating of 4.4/5 on the Google App Store, it is a fun app to learn Urdu. Memrise offers a lot of free content. To get access to all features and enjoy ad-free learning and offline learning experience, you need to upgrade to Pro Plan. Subscriptions start at $14.99 per month.
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Spaced repetition system
- Personalized courses
- Learn Urdu free
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other apps
- All courses don’t have the same features
5. Mondly:
Mondly has a rating of 4.4/5 on the Google App Store. It claims that you can learn Urdu by just spending 10 minutes daily. It is the best beginner Urdu app that offers 1000 interactive lessons.
With 5000 words and phrases, you can quickly learn grammar and vocabulary. Moreover, it teaches you through advanced technology such as virtual reality and augmented reality.
You can start learning Urdu for free for seven days. Trial offers all premium features, so you can decide if this works for you. Its monthly subscription starts at $9.99. And it also offers you discounts.
Pros:
- Interactive lessons
- Speech recognition technology
- A diverse range of topics
- Daily classes and quizzes
- Advanced technology not on other platforms
Cons:
- Limited free content
- Some features need a premium subscription
- Occasional bugs and technical issues
Conclusion:
Duolingo Urdu is not available. However, there are many other apps and resources available that can help you in learning Urdu.
Mango Languages, UrduPod101, Drops, and Memrise are just a few of the excellent options available.
So, embrace the opportunity. Let yourself immerse in the beauty of the Urdu language, connect with native speakers, and explore its cultural heritage.
Caitriona Maria is an education writer and founder of TPR Teaching, crafting inspiring pieces that promote the importance of developing new skills. For 7 years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad. Dedicated to unlocking students' potential, Caitriona has taught English in several countries and continues to explore new cultures through her travels.