Designing for the World’s Disappearing Languages: A Case Study
The disappearance of languages is a growing concern, with a language becoming extinct every two weeks globally. People who grew up disconnected from a culture in which a minority language is spoken face challenges in reconnecting with it and lack access to language resources. This poses a threat to the preservation and revitalization of endangered languages.
Growing up in a linguistically diverse country like Spain, where I was taught a former endangered language in school, convinced me of the importance of preserving and promoting minority languages.
People who have grown up disconnected from a culture in which a minority language is spoken have a hard time reconnecting with it, and need better access to language resources. If this problem isn’t remedied, it will most certainly accelerate language extinction.
Designing Trove
Trove is a mobile app that aims to elevate and safeguard linguistic diversity by facilitating the acquisition of endangered languages and reconnecting young learners with their cultural heritage. It achieves this by adopting a contemporary cultural perspective, promoting inclusivity and accessibility in minority language resources, and facilitating meaningful interactions between native speakers and learners, thereby fostering harmonious coexistence and interconnectivity among diverse linguistic communities.
Despite being little more than an initiative, Trove has been recognized for its impactful design and commitment to change. The project has received the MICA Leadership Award for Design For Change, the AIGA Flux Design Award, and the GDUSA American Graphic Design Award.
Curious? View the prototype here
What’s everyone else up to?
To gain insights into the language learning landscape, a thorough audit of existing language learning platforms and apps was conducted. Special attention was given to platforms offering courses in minority or endangered languages.
Diving deep? Read full audit
Understanding Trove’s user
User research
Form-based surveys and one-on-one interviews were conducted to validate the problem and understand potential users. The research revealed two primary user groups: heritage learners with familial connections to endangered languages, and conventional learners interested in exploring new language families or contributing to language revitalization efforts. Both groups faced similar frustrations, including limited resources and a lack of native speakers to practice with.
Diving deep? Read full research report
User goals
Solution exploration and information architecture
1. Overcoming roadblocks in endangered language learning
The lack of accessible resources was a significant concern among learners. Trove addresses this by providing a space for learners to store and find minority and endangered language resources. The app aims to become the go-to source for all aspects of endangered language learning.
2. Language learning rooted in cultural awareness
Heritage learners value reconnecting with their cultural roots, while conventional learners see learning about the culture of the language they are studying as essential. Trove emphasizes culture as an integral part of the learning experience, promoting a holistic approach for all learners.
3. Creating a personalized and inclusive learning experience
Many learners face isolation in their language learning journey. Trove creates a space for interaction between native speakers and learners, fostering connection and social learning. This personalized approach makes each learning journey unique.
Branding and visual design
Branding
From the very beginning, I realized the importance of setting Trove apart from other conventional language learning apps. This decision was not arbitrary, as I aimed to address the longstanding issue of minority and endangered languages being overlooked in existing language learning platforms. By utilizing branding and visual design, I had the opportunity to elevate and promote these languages within their own dedicated space on Trove.
The app prominently features vibrant colors and welcoming elements, which greatly contribute to its overall appeal. Considering Trove’s primary audience consists of young individuals seeking to learn a language associated with their family, it was crucial to create a friendly and inviting atmosphere within the app. This approach aimed to make the learning experience as enjoyable and accessible as possible.
A custom flag system was developed to ensure accurate representation of all the languages available on Trove. In certain instances where a language couldn’t be associated with a particular country or doing so would be incorrect, a unique Trove flag was used to represent that language.
Visual Design
While leveraging conventional design elements can enhance user experience, it was crucial for Trove to forge a distinct connection with users. The app’s unique visual design serves as a tribute to the unparalleled diversity of languages worldwide. Trove’s visual design evolved through iterations and user feedback. The selection of a rounded serif font over a modern, condensed font was made based on user perceptions of friendliness and academic appeal. User feedback collected through testing sessions helped refine the visual design, ensuring usability, accessibility, and visual attractiveness.
The following images show the evolution of Trove’s visual design, primarily guided by the feedback of real users through two rounds of user testing.
User testing and iteration
Two rounds of testing were conducted to gather feedback and improve the app’s design and functionality.
Round I
Mid-Fidelity Wireframe Testing: This round focused on testing the app’s navigation and basic features using mid-fidelity wireframes. Participants were recruited online and provided feedback asynchronously through Maze. The testing helped refine the visual design direction and address minor usability issues.
Round II
Full Design and Feature Testing: The second round involved in-person testing with a fully designed app and finalized features. Participants interacted with the prototype on a real phone, providing in-depth quantitative data and qualitative feedback. This testing phase identified and categorized errors (minor, critical) and gathered valuable insights for further improvements.
Diving deep? Read usability testing report
Conclusion and next steps
Designing Trove as my senior thesis project proved to be an immensely enriching experience that deepened my passion for the intersection of culture, education, and technology. It had such a profound impact on my professional trajectory that it guided my career choices, leading me to work at Тhe New York Times and my current role at Semafor, a dynamic news startup (after nearly accepting a job offer at Babbel). Additionally, helped co-found a competitive language learning startup, driven by the mission to provide fun and accessible education.
Although the initial project concluded in May 2022, my aspiration would be to one day further develop the prototype into a fully functional product in the future. I have envisioned four exciting pathways for Trove’s evolution, each aimed at enhancing its distinctive features and offerings to the user.
1. Designing a Volunteer Experience
Creating a volunteer experience within Trove would allow native speakers and enthusiasts to contribute by creating courses or gathering resources in different languages. While I did come up with a concept I wanted to include in the prototype, a lack of time and resources caused it to be put in the back burner.
2. Testing Content Effectiveness
Continuous iteration is necessary to gauge the effectiveness of the content offered to learners, ensuring the highest educational value.
3. Accessibility Partnerships
Partnering with schools and libraries would help Trove reach a wider audience and ensure financial viability without compromising access to universally available content.
4. Expanding Features and Capabilities
To meet evolving user needs, Trove should expand its features and capabilities, staying responsive to changing demands in endangered language education and preservation.
By embracing these future steps, Trove can expand its mission of preserving endangered languages, promoting cultural diversity, and fostering meaningful connections between linguistic communities.
Want to see more?
Check out the prototype to interact with the app.
