The Linguist

FEATURES 28 The Linguist Vol/64 No/3 ciol.org.uk/thelinguist Once upon a time, learning a new language meant signing up for evening classes, memorising verb tables and lugging around hefty grammar books and dictionaries. Today, the process is decidedly more digital. With a few taps on a phone or clicks on a laptop, learners can now access a wealth of online tools promising to teach them Spanish on the bus, Mandarin over lunch, or French while walking the dog. But with this convenience comes a new challenge: which platform is really worth your time? In the last issue, I compared the Battle of gxv{ÇÉÄÉzç Anna Rioland trials Busuu 14 languages, Free (limited access); premium from £2.25 pcm (12-month subscription) Pimsleur 51 languages, From £18.45 pcm (with 7-day free trial) Rosetta Stone 25 languages, From £44.85 for 3 months/ £131.40 pa/ £199 lifetime access (with 30-day trial) I was a fellow research associate, collating data from students, parents and teachers, and sharing insights on cognition issues in the region. My focus was on discovering the natural abilities in African learners and how these can be harnessed in global education systems to fully develop potential. Could you tell us about developing inclusive language learning resources? I draw on adaptive pedagogies where inclusivity is not an afterthought – it's the design principle. I create visual-rich materials for dyslexic learners, audio content for the visually impaired, and step-by-step scaffolding for learners with cognitive delays, towards attaining the same measured learning objective. I integrate multimodal tools (closed captions, culturally affirming examples, voice control, speech-to-text) and, most importantly, I co-create with learners and educators to ensure real needs drive the design. What one thing do you think would most help disabled people with limited skills in English to access UK public services? I would institutionalise funded, certified language mediation services within public systems, especially for people with both language and cognitive/physical disabilities. Too often, access is reduced to a leaflet or an overworked interpreter, and that's not enough. Inclusive communication is a human right. We need trained professionals who understand both the linguistic and the disability dimensions of service access. The situation is even worse with languages considered 'rare', such as Yorùbá. I understand the struggle in finding skilled and certified interpreters in these languages, and this is part of what I want to address through Linguistic Pathways (linguisticpathways.com). The platform's resources empower immigrants to monetise their native language skills with step-by-step strategies to become language tutors, interpreters, translators and AI data trainers. How does AI support access? AI is a game-changer, especially in real-time translation, voice synthesis and accessible learning design. Tools like NLP engines, chatbots and voice assistants can bridge communication gaps instantly. CAT tools are helpful for facilitating interlanguage communication, while psychometric tools are useful for analysing human features. I integrate AI in my Unlockstar Club projects, for instance, to scale cognitive assessment through interactive, multimodal prompts. However, AI has limits. In my work, especially with vulnerable populations, it must support, not replace, human judgement and empathy. Do you ever have light-hearted moments in your work? Can you share one? Once, when I was helping an elderly woman understand her treatment plan, the doctor mentioned a 'referral' to a specialist. I interpreted in Yorùbá using the correct clinical term. The woman looked at me sternly and asked " Ṣé wọn fẹ tà mí lọ ni?", which roughly means 'Are they trying to sell me off?' Everyone burst into laughter. It was a playful misunderstanding and a reminder that even when we think we've interpreted correctly, meaning is never just linguistic – it's cultural, emotional, and sometimes misunderstood. These are the moments that make language work not just impactful, but human; not just meaningful, but delightfully unpredictable. Please tell us about a project you are particularly proud of… Two projects remain deeply personal milestones in my professional journey. The first is Ruby Bounty (rubybounty.com), a publishing imprint under Educom Africa, which has a growing catalogue of over 50 publications, ranging from bedtime stories to activity-based literacy resources for children, teens and adults. But perhaps the most transformative project I've led is Unlockstar Club (unlockstarclub.com) – a personalised, tech-enabled platform designed to help parents uncover and nurture their children's strengths. It emerged, in collaboration with CRACSLab, from insights gained through the World Cognition Project. Both platforms stand as proof that education is not just about access – it's about agency. And that's the golden thread running through all my work: empowering people to recognise their own voice, realise their full potential and use language – not just to communicate, but to rise.

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