An iOS app aims to preserve the Hmong dialect for future generations

Hmong Phrases on iOS 15
(Image credit: TechRadar)

While you may be enjoying apps that can help solve the tasks for the day ahead, or scratches your daily itch in the latest game on Apple Arcade, for example, there are a few different apps that serve an important purpose.

The Hmong people are one of the most marginalized Asian American groups in the US, and its language is in danger of being relegated to the history books.

It feels personal and yet educational - you know that Vang has put everything into this app, and it looks as though she isn't done, having recently spoken to her.

What could be next for the app?

Hmong Phrases app icon

(Image credit: Hmong Phrases)

The app has an elegant layout with a colorful scheme throughout its menus. The list of phrases may seem overwhelming to some at first, but you get used to it. You can use the search bar to find what you want.

While it's great to use it on iOS mainly, we asked Vang if there were any plans to add newer widgets, alongside an Apple Watch version, in the future.

Practicing phrases and words in Hmong on your wrist could appeal to many, especially as later Apple Watch models can use the speaker with some apps.

Vang was enthusiastic about these two ideas, and there's potentially a chance we could see them later in the year.

But whatever occurs in a future update, it's a great effort already to revive a language, and a culture, that should be preserved for future generations.

Daryl Baxter
Contributor

Daryl is a freelance writer and author of two books—The Making of Tomb Raider and 50 Years of Boss Fights. A third book, the follow up to ‘Tomb Raider’, comes out in 2026. Having worked at TechRadar previously as a software writer from 2021 to 2023, Daryl understands how software can benefit users, as well as having an interest in how accessibility features can benefit others.

With over a decade of experience, his work has been featured in Tom’s Guide, SUPERJUMP, Pocket Tactics, Radio Times, The Escapist, and more.