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Original poster

Duolingo: “JKR is mean”

137 replies

SidewaysOtter · 20/08/2025 09:35

https://x.com/seeredwoman1/status/1957902960148771303?s=46

Jesus, is nowhere safe from this shit?

I hope JKR’s lawyers are cracking our their very best “terse letter” pens this morning.

https://x.com/seeredwoman1/status/1957902960148771303?s=46

OP posts:
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DuesToTheDirt · 20/08/2025 20:17

I wonder if this was created by a person - I saw in the news that they are not hiring people if they think AI can do the job (there's one reason to avoid them, for a start).

If it was indeed written by a person, that's surely a sacking offence. Whatever the employee's views, they shouldn't be putting offensive comments about individuals, religions, political parties or anything else that divides opinion in a language learning app.

NotAtMyAge · 20/08/2025 20:07

Runnersandtoms · 20/08/2025 18:58

To anyone who's deleting Duolingo as a result, don't worry, as a language teacher I can tell you it's a huge waste of time. I have had people come to my classes having done years of Duolingo and they still can't actually speak the language at all. Look for real classes near you. Language for fun is one option with classes all over the UK.

That's obviously the best solution for anyone living near a decent-sized centre of population. Here in deepest rural Wales I first tried to learn Italian 30 years ago at an evening class at the local FE college, a mere 25 mile round journey for me. I went to the first term and enjoyed it very much, but that was all I could have as there weren't enough people wanting to come back for another term for the course to be viable. Now in my late 70s I would have to drive 40+ miles each way to Aberystwyth University for a weekly 2hr evening class, which is of course out of the question. Online is the only option for me.

Plasticwaste · 20/08/2025 19:36

Wasn't Duo once snapped showing off some bondage gear?

Original poster
SidewaysOtter · 20/08/2025 19:12

@Runnersandtoms that’s good to know, I was trying to learn through it and really struggled even though I usually pick up languages quickly!

What else would you recommend?

OP posts:
Runnersandtoms · 20/08/2025 18:58

To anyone who's deleting Duolingo as a result, don't worry, as a language teacher I can tell you it's a huge waste of time. I have had people come to my classes having done years of Duolingo and they still can't actually speak the language at all. Look for real classes near you. Language for fun is one option with classes all over the UK.

borntobequiet · 20/08/2025 18:55

WorriedMutha · 20/08/2025 18:45

I'm going to delete the app though I only use the free version. Is there any means of registering my disapproval with them before I flounce?

I contacted them via their Contact page.

WorriedMutha · 20/08/2025 18:45

I'm going to delete the app though I only use the free version. Is there any means of registering my disapproval with them before I flounce?

NotAtMyAge · 20/08/2025 18:25

Well, I'm over halfway through the Duolingo Italian course, so I'll see my subscription year out and finish the course, then move on, probably to Babbel. I always wanted to learn Italian and have thoroughly enjoyed working my way through the course so far. I use the desktop app on my laptop, not the mobile version which would drive me batty.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 20/08/2025 18:25

Judellie · 20/08/2025 18:16

Well I've deleted it anyway as it was getting on my nerves before this.

Same.

Judellie · 20/08/2025 18:16

Well I've deleted it anyway as it was getting on my nerves before this.

DarlingHoldMyHand · 20/08/2025 17:10

SidewaysOtter · 20/08/2025 17:01

https://www.gbnews.com/news/jk-rowling-duolingo-apologises-author-insult-trans

Apparently they have new "queer" characters for the app and the reference to the SC was referring to the ruling about biological sex.

Shame, I was wanting to have another go at Duolingo (I tried it previously but couldn't get into it) but I'll not bother now.

I think the article is completely wrong about the Supreme Court.

The tweet was on my understanding the day after it came out that the US Supreme Court might hear an appeal reconsidering gay marriage, and all the pictures that accompanied the tweet were about homosexuality.

Duolingo is a US company. It wouldn't make any sense for them to reference the U.K. Supreme Court some time after the judgment and without referring to the U.K.

Sloppy journalism.

And the JK Rowling thing was bad but at least they are acting quickly to remove it rather than doubling down. So many other companies would double down 🤷‍♀️

Original poster
SidewaysOtter · 20/08/2025 17:01

https://www.gbnews.com/news/jk-rowling-duolingo-apologises-author-insult-trans

Apparently they have new "queer" characters for the app and the reference to the SC was referring to the ruling about biological sex.

Shame, I was wanting to have another go at Duolingo (I tried it previously but couldn't get into it) but I'll not bother now.

'Shame on you!' Duolingo forced to apologise after branding JK Rowling 'mean'

Duolingo said it plans to remove the sentence from the app

https://www.gbnews.com/news/jk-rowling-duolingo-apologises-author-insult-trans

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Original poster
SidewaysOtter · 20/08/2025 16:56

DarlingHoldMyHand · 20/08/2025 15:57

OK so they are removing it and the Supreme Court reference was not to the UKSC/FWS.

So all good now I suppose?

Well, apart from them having done it in the first place.

Has there been an explanation as to how the reference to JKR got there? Rogue employee or is it company policy to be an arsehole to women who speak up for their rights?

OP posts:
DarlingHoldMyHand · 20/08/2025 15:57

OK so they are removing it and the Supreme Court reference was not to the UKSC/FWS.

So all good now I suppose?

Duolingo: “JKR is mean”
OriginalUsername2 · 20/08/2025 15:50

Duolingo sacked their humans and replaced them with AI.

gruebleen · 20/08/2025 15:46

Apparently the content has now been removed.

NotAtMyAge · 20/08/2025 15:45

MarieDeGournay · 20/08/2025 11:36

But is that 'JKR is mean' in the American sense, i.e. nasty, which is a matter of opinion, or is that 'JKR is mean' in the UK/Irl sense, i.e. stingy, which is easily disproved by her hugely generous funding of women's and children's causes😁

Gemein in German means nasty mean, not stingy mean. I did a degree in German many years ago and gemein is definitely used very pejoratively in this context.

DarlingHoldMyHand · 20/08/2025 15:39

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 20/08/2025 15:38

Oh yeah, that would make more sense.

Doesn't excuse the "JKR is mean" nonsense though.

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I agree completely.

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 20/08/2025 15:38

DarlingHoldMyHand · 20/08/2025 15:22

Won't that be the US Supreme Court? Possibly in response to this?

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/supreme-court-formally-asked-overturn-landmark-same-sex/story?id=124465302

Oh yeah, that would make more sense.

Doesn't excuse the "JKR is mean" nonsense though.

MrsTerryPratchett · 20/08/2025 15:29

lcakethereforeIam · 20/08/2025 14:49

Can anyone recommend a replacement. Preferably free?

Not free (sorry) but very effective and gives money to the people (always women in my case) in the countries they live. italki. Live lessons online.

I learned a very obscure language, travelled to the country, had lots of fun with my lovely teacher. Taught me all about culture as well as language.

lcakethereforeIam · 20/08/2025 14:49

Can anyone recommend a replacement. Preferably free?

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 20/08/2025 14:21

Just deleted the app from my phone.

Judellie · 20/08/2025 13:40

I think I'll delete it too. Far too many apps on my phone anyway.

GallantKumquat · 20/08/2025 13:35

MissScarletInTheBallroom · 20/08/2025 13:10

Why do they think the Supreme Court objects to same sex relationships? The judgment explicitly defends the rights of lesbians to be exclusively same sex attracted.

You'd think a big brand like Duolingo might read the judgment and make sure they understand WTF it is actually about before calling out the Supreme Court on Twitter.

I'm on a 435 day streak but I'm starting to feel a bit bored and harassed by the daily notifications so maybe this is my cue to delete the app.

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Because the only gays that count are heterosexual men who retain their sexual orientation when becoming trans identified and magically 🪄 become lesbians.