A new web app offers users access to Filipino lessons, flashcards and pronunciation practice with additional features available through a paid tier.
The platform, called Tarana, also includes regional languages such as Cebuano, Ilocano and Kapampangan under its subscription offering.
Mobile versions are expected to follow on Apple App Store and Google Play.
Founded by Filipino-American entrepreneur Jeff Lontoc, Tarana was developed for Filipinos abroad and heritage learners, or those who grew up connected to the culture but not fluent in the language. It is also open to non-Filipino users.
“I experienced this myself. There are apps for learning the language, but language with culture is something different entirely. When you add culture, you stop translating words and start understanding the soul behind them. That is what Tarana is built for,” Lontoc said.
He added that many platforms treat language separately from culture.
“There is a real difference between having Filipino content and being built for Filipinos. Tarana is the second one,” he said.
The name “Tarana” comes from the Filipino phrase “tara na,” or “let’s go.”
—With Rosette Adel
