The Story Behind Lingo Layer: A Chrome Extension For Language Learning
by NathanI’ve always heard that the best projects solve a problem you personally face. While I’ve worked on side projects before that didn’t always speak to my own problem set, I’m excited to say that Lingo Layer came directly from my own need to learn a language.
The Problem I Faced
Last year, I visited Italy and was captivated by both the country and the language. That trip sparked my journey into learning Italian. Like many language learners, I tried the usual methods - courses, flashcards, podcasts - but I found that nothing was as engaging as watching shows and movies in Italian. My go-to was Netflix, but I kept running into a frustrating problem: I had to constantly pause to switch between Italian and English subtitles or look up unfamiliar words, breaking my immersion.
The "Aha" Moment
I quickly realize that I needed to see both sets of subtitles at once. It seemed like a simple idea, but after searching around, I couldn’t find a tool that did exactly what I wanted. So I decided to start building what would eventually become Lingo Layer.
What Lingo Layer Does
I spent some time on refining the user experience but I’m finally at a point where I’m happy with the product and ready to share it with other language learners. The extension allows you to watch Netflix with multiple subtitles displayed simultaneously, letting you see both the original language and a translation side by side. You can choose from a variety of languages to customize your experience, making language learning easier and more enjoyable without interrupting your favorite content.
What’s Next?
I’m already thinking about the future. I plan to add an option to translate subtitles in using APIs like ChatGPT or DeepL, since subtitles in different languages aren’t usually direct translations. For now, Lingo Layer is completely free, though I might explore monetization options if there’s enough interest.
I’d love to hear what you think, so please give it a try and let me know how it works for you!
