Learn the language you hear around you.

Why Shinar exists

Most language apps teach you to read and write. But when you move to Hyderabad, Delhi or Chennai, marry into a family that speaks another language, or want to talk with your grandparents, what you need first is to understand people talking, and to answer back.

Children pick up a language by overhearing it long before they study it. Shinar works the same way: you listen in on situations you already understand, so the new language makes sense straight away.

How the content is made

Every course has its own scenes, written for its own city: Telugu in Hyderabad, Hindi in Delhi, Tamil and English-through-Tamil in Chennai, with local places, names, food and festivals. Lines use everyday spoken language, including the English words people really mix in, not textbook-formal language.

Each character has a natural, studio-quality voice, and every line comes with the native script, English letters and word-by-word meanings.

The Tamil course is in beta while native speakers review every line. If something does not sound right to you, please email us and we will fix it.

Who makes it

Shinar is built by Chris Blesson, an independent developer in India. There are no ads, no advertising trackers, and you can use the app without an account.

Contact

Questions, corrections or ideas for new scenes: chrisblesson2598@gmail.com.