Surfed across the internet only to find out that there is no Kannada on Duolingo? Trust me!
You are not alone! Kannada is not the only language omitted from Duolingo.
As one of the 22 official languages of India, it is surprising that a language with over 44 million native speakers hasn’t been able to find a spot in Duolingo.
But considering the fact that Duolingo no longer supports Indian languages apart from Hindi, it is understandable why there is no Kannada on Duolingo.
If you’re passionate about learning Kannada, don’t worry! We have got you sorted!
Here is the best alternative to learn Kannada in 2025: Ling!
In this blog, we will explain why Ling is the best choice to learn and master the Kannada language!
So, all the language learning enthusiasts out there, shall we begin?
Why Kannada Deserves A Spot On Duolingo
Kannada belongs to the family of Dravidian languages spoken in the Southern part of India, mainly in the state of Karnataka, unlike the rest of the Indian languages spoken in the North, East, and western parts, which belong to the Indo-Aryan family.
However, we can still see the influence of Sanskrit, especially in the basic vocabulary of the language. But Kannada script as well as grammar is very unique in its own way and quite complex to understand as a beginner.
One of the major reasons why you need to know Kannada is that the state of Karnataka ranks among the top five most visited places in India.
With its unmatchable mixture of different terrains, a state like Karnataka undoubtedly becomes one of the hot favorite places for any foreigner to visit!
Yes, you heard me right! The cultural significance of this vibrant state is simply immense, and its contribution to tourism in India is fairly high!
Not just that, as mentioned earlier, apart from the 44 million people who speak Kannada as the local language, Kannada also has an additional 15 million speakers who speak it as their second language.
Hence, the total number of Kannada speakers around the globe rounds off to around 60 million.
And that number is simply huge!
Global Significance Of Kannada
- One of the 22 official languages of India as per the 8th schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- Native language of the State of Karnataka.
- Around 60 million speakers across the globe.
- One of the oldest languages in India, after Sanskrit and Tamil, with over 1500 years of history.
- The 8th most spoken language in India and the 35th most spoken language in the world.
- Bengaluru, Silicon Valley of India, capital city of the state of Karnataka, is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. Knowing basic Kannada is essential if you plan to settle down here someday.
Kannada as a language has stamped its authority in the field of literature, cinema, and culture too!
If you are someone who is an ardent lover of exploring different cultures through lifestyle, books, and cinema, it is high time you learn this beautiful language!
Is Kannada Hard To Learn?
Kannada is easily one of the easiest languages to learn! Shocked? Surprised?
Well, if you are already familiar with other Dravidian languages such as Tamil or Telugu, learning Kannada is a cakewalk.
If not, don’t worry! It’s quite challenging in the beginning, but absolutely manageable with the right amount of practice.
If you are someone who is into learning languages, you will have fun learning Kannada!
Unique Features Of Kannada
- Distinct script (draws its origin from the early Kadamba script)
- Dialectal differences: Spoken Kannada changes from one place to another within the State
- Absorbs words from so many other languages(based on the region)
- Has a strong influence of Sanskrit on its vocabulary
- Significant differences between colloquial and formal Kannada language
- Rich literary heritage and cultural history
Beginner-Friendly Aspects
- Flexible word order: Kannada follows the Subject-Verb-Object rule, making it super predictable once you become familiar with the language.
- Simple vocabulary: The vocabulary is relatively simple and easy to begin with.
- Logical grammar rules: Grammar rules are not complex. They are logical and easy once you get the hang of them.
- Absence of articles: You don’t have to be mindful about a, an, or the anymore!
- Phonetic language: Learn the Kannada script and sounds, and speaking Kannada becomes super simple.
Since there is no Kannada on Duolingo, it is high time we use a language learning app that focuses on all the above aspects, like script, phrases, grammar, and vocabulary.
There is no better app than Ling that fulfills your requirement!
Why Is Kannada Missing From Duolingo?
While we do not know the exact reason why there is no Kannada on Duolingo, we can only assume that the nature of the complexity of scripts, vocabulary, grammar, and the nuances present between spoken and written Kannada can be difficult to teach.
However, some of the other possible reasons can be:
- Market demand: Since Duolingo prioritizes global demands and interests, Kannada does not have a large global learner base, as the language is primarily spoken in Karnataka.
- Limited resources: Developing user-friendly modules for a new language involves significant investments, either in creating content or lessons. Not having a larger appeal may simply hamper their growth.
- Complex script: Kannada vocabulary is not at all similar to other Latin-based scripts and their grammar techniques, for which Duolingo’s platform is primarily optimized.
Brief Comparison: Duolingo Vs Ling
If you’re wondering how Ling compares to Duolingo, especially for learning a language like Kannada, here’s a quick side-by-side breakdown.
But let me set this straight – Ling is one of the best Kannada learning apps out there with a global appeal and world-quality user experience.
This table highlights the key differences between the two platforms to help you choose the one that fits your needs best.
| Feature | Duolingo | Ling |
|---|---|---|
| Kannada Course Availability | Not available – Duolingo does not offer a Kannada course. | Available – Offers a Kannada course designed for beginners and language enthusiasts. |
| Focus | Focuses mainly on popular global languages. Besides Hindi, Duolingo does not support any other Indian languages. | Emphasizes real-world conversational skills with practical, everyday language use. |
| Scope | Limited support for South Asian languages; Hindi is the only option. | Offers less commonly taught South Asian languages like Kannada, Bengali, and many others. |
| Interactive Features | Gamified exercises (matching, translation, speaking), daily streaks, hearts system, leaderboards. | Gamified lessons, AI-powered chatbot for conversations, quizzes, challenges, and instant feedback. |
| Grammar and Pronunciation | Not available for Kannada. | Provides native speaker audio for pronunciation, grammar notes, and cultural insights. |
| Platform | Available on Web, iOS, and Android. | Available on Web, iOS, and Android. |
The Best Alternative To Duolingo For Learning The Kannada Language
Since we have already discussed the fact that there is no Kannada on Duolingo, if you are still wondering about an alternative, let us introduce you to the best option for learning Kannada in 2025: Ling!
If anybody is a serious learner who is keen to master the Kannada language, learn new words every single day, and start speaking the language, there is no better language learning app than Ling, which fulfills all your requirements!
Key Features Of Ling
- Gamified lesson: Makes learning Kannada fun and interactive
- Native Speaker Audio for correct pronunciation: Adds the local flavor of authenticity so that you learn the language and speak like a native speaker
- Learn Alphabet through Finger Tracing Method: Learn Kannada scripts hands-on.
- Grammar Lessons: Learn the grammatical aspects of Nouns in Kannada or Numbers in Kannada for a clearer understanding of the language
- Cultural Notes: This immersive feature helps you get the cultural insight of the place so that you dive deeper into the language.
- AI Chatbox: Helps you practice real-time conversations.
- Voice recognition: Get instant feedback on your pronunciation so that you get the hang of the right way of speaking Kannada
Why Serious Learners Choose Ling?
Let’s see what users have to say about Ling:
“Amazing. I am very excited to find an app to learn Kannada, the language of Bangalore. Has slight imperfections, but this is so much better than any other app or course. Super.“
-Erika K
“Never thought learning Kannada could be so much enjoyable! I am living in Bengaluru! My Kannada friends are amazed at my rapid progress with confidence!“
-Devendra Kumar Tiwary
What You Will Learn In Your First Week
Here’s what you can expect to learn during your first week with Ling.
| Days | What you will learn |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Introduction+ Basic sentences |
| Day 2 | Numbers and family |
| Day 3 | Numbers and counting in Kannada |
| Day 4 | Activities |
| Day 5 | Food and Tastes, Names of vegetables and fruits in Kannada |
| Day 6 | Ordering food, words to use when you are in a Cafe |
| Day 7 | Build your first conversation in Kannada |
Frequently Asked Questions About Learning Kannada
Why Is Kannada Not On Duolingo?
Kannada isn’t available on Duolingo because the platform mainly supports Latin-based scripts. Although Duolingo offered Tamil and Telugu courses in the past, they were discontinued, likely due to low demand and the complexity of supporting non-Latin scripts.
Is There Any App Like Duolingo To Learn Kannada?
The best app to learn Kannada is Ling. It offers a gamified learning experience similar to Duolingo, but with a stronger focus on real conversation skills. With Ling, you’ll not only build a solid foundation in Kannada but also develop the confidence to speak like a native.
How To Learn Kannada Language Fast?
Consistency is the key. If you are a passionate language learner, dedicating at least 30 mins of your day to learning Kannada will help you progress significantly. With the right practice, many users have mastered Kannada and achieved conversational fluency in 6-8 months.
Is Ling Good For Learning Kannada?
Ling is the best app to learn Kannada. With its gamified approach, grammar notes, and cultural notes along with real-time conversations with AI Chatbox, Ling offers a practical approach to learning Kannada, unlike other language learning apps.
Start Learning Kannada With Ling (7-Day Free Trial)
No Kannada on Duolingo? No problem! We’ve got the right app to fuel your motivation for learning and mastering the Kannada language.
Loaded with features like AI Chatbox, spaced repetition, native speaker audio, bite-sized lessons, and so much more. Without a doubt, the Ling app certainly is your best choice to learn a new language.
Make Ling your perfect partner to learn Kannada, just like the rest of 1 million+ other global users who have mastered various languages using the app.
With over 500,000 downloads and a 4.6/5 rating on the Google Play Store, Ling has already earned the trust of many learners.
You can try the app free for seven days with no upfront charges—and if you change your mind, you’re free to cancel the trial at any time.
So, download the Ling app on Google Play and App Store now!
The next time you’re in Karnataka and someone asks, Kannada barutha? which means, “Do you know Kannada?” Don’t forget to confidently answer, Howdu Kannada baruthe! “Yes, I know!”
