Fantastic work, I was looking for something exactly like this. I do wish A1 didn't feel like getting thrown in the deep end - too often I don't know the words I need to respond and end up using the dictionary - but I get that this is supposed to replace language tutors, so A1 isn't really the focus.
Launch HN: Univerbal (YC W23) – Language learning with a conversational AI tutor
101–110 of 137 posts
Re: Launch HN: Univerbal (YC W23) – Language learning with a conversational AI tutor
#102It’s a great idea. I’m learning Finnish via the chat and noticed some issues.
- invitation email link is huge, does it need so much entropy
- the web application is borked on iOS (no audio recording, buttons don’t work)
- inline translation of my spoken Finnish just says “I’m unsure”
- despite knowing my name from the introduction, the app keeps translating my name as “grilli“
- after finishing the introductory lesson, I had to close and re-open the app for the next lesson to display
- it almost seems like the app is trying to translate my spoken input to English despite the conversation being in Finnish
Overall, I like the idea and will continue trying the app. I’m not convinced enough yet to pay 14€/month but will give it some more time.
I like that the app doesn’t focus on grammar or gamification. Grammar comes after learning a language since the initial learning is all about I/O and grammar mostly makes sense when you already “get it.” Gamification and other addiction mechanics are what put me off of Duolingo as it doesn’t feel good to be manipulated, even if for a “good reason.”
Re: Launch HN: Univerbal (YC W23) – Language learning with a conversational AI tutor
#103This looks very interesting and I wish you guys the best. One suggestion - a nitpick usually that I wouldn't write, but because it's a language product, you want to give the right impression of your language skills: In English, uni- , the prefix, means 'one'. For example, unidirectional doesn't mean 'all directions', it means 'one direction'. [0] The name of the app means something like 'one language' or 'one word'.…
I strongly disagree. Univerbal is a much better name than Omniverbal/Ambiverbal.
Re: Launch HN: Univerbal (YC W23) – Language learning with a conversational AI tutor
#104Some feedback from my wife, who started using Quazel to practice French after your previous Show HN: --- Gameification sounds like something that should be either left for later, or very subtle. It's a great product as is. Maybe later you could have different trouble words fly at the user like soap bubbles and you have to say the word twice to pop them. That might make the drilling/practice more fun. A reward could b…
Great stuff and no worries, we'll probably leave the transcription as is.
Re: Launch HN: Univerbal (YC W23) – Language learning with a conversational AI tutor
#105Feedback on doing an assessment: 1) The assessment felt a little long. 2) There were many transcription errors which really was not a good experience. Are you using a quality transcription like insanely-fast-whisper? 2a) Why do I need to see my speech transcribed in real-time? It's distracting and leads to worse quality transcription. 3) It would be great to have accent coaching. From a transcription you should be ab…
Noted!
Re: Launch HN: Univerbal (YC W23) – Language learning with a conversational AI tutor
#106Fantastic work, I was looking for something exactly like this. I do wish A1 didn't feel like getting thrown in the deep end - too often I don't know the words I need to respond and end up using the dictionary - but I get that this is supposed to replace language tutors, so A1 isn't really the focus.
We have a "guided" mode which should make things easier. You can turn it on in the settings (top right)
Re: Launch HN: Univerbal (YC W23) – Language learning with a conversational AI tutor
#107It’s a great idea. I’m learning Finnish via the chat and noticed some issues. - invitation email link is huge, does it need so much entropy - the web application is borked on iOS (no audio recording, buttons don’t work) - inline translation of my spoken Finnish just says “I’m unsure” - despite knowing my name from the introduction, the app keeps translating my name as “grilli“ - after finishing the introductory lesso…
Yeah, we should make it clearer that the web app is not supported on mobile devices. You can get the app and then it should work way smoother.
We currently have a bug in the homescreen which should be resolved in the next update and you should no longer need to close & re-open the app to get the next conversation.
If you get the yearly subscription it's only 10/m ;)
Re: Launch HN: Univerbal (YC W23) – Language learning with a conversational AI tutor
#108feedback
followed the link. tried to sign up. something about the form design is incompatible with chrome's password management since chrome didn't recognize I was signing up
managed to sign up. Confirmed. page is broken in mobile (on chrome iOS on iphone 15 pro). could not scroll dowb
tried the app. typed in my email and the clicked I forgot my password. app hated me because it made me type my email address again even though I'd just typed it. clicked submit. app crashed. Tried again. it crashed again
in any case, if it works it sounds like a great idea. I worry how well it will judge pronunciation. I'd expect it to be harsher than a human. as an example. in RockBand, the game, it judges you on how close to the original you sing. So if you try to sign in your own style, or your timing doesn't match the original bit still fits the song, it will mark you down
A human teacher can tell the difference between style , speed and flat wrong. wondering if an Ai can
Re: Launch HN: Univerbal (YC W23) – Language learning with a conversational AI tutor
#109Tried Portuguese from Portugal and it's immediately obvious that it's wrong. It uses Brazilian Portuguese grammar, just the tts is a portuguese voice.
Re: Launch HN: Univerbal (YC W23) – Language learning with a conversational AI tutor
#110Sorry but this is utterly pointless. One of the very first sentences I was given was grammatically incorrect ("My name Natalie."). The speaker's voice sounds terrible and robotic. The voice recognition is likewise terrible. The pauses are way too long. One of the worst language learning websites I've ever seen. You'd be much better off just talking to ChatGPT via conversation mode in the app.