Polly

Polly is a quick daily trip around the world’s writing systems. You get five words, each from a different language, each shown the way it is really written. Where the script is not the one you are reading now, a sounded-out version sits underneath. You pick the English meaning from four choices. Everyone gets the same five each day, and over the weeks everyday words like “hello” and “water” come round again in language after language, so the scripts start to look familiar even when you do not speak them.

How to play

1. You get five words, each from a different language.
2. Read the word in its own script. If that is not the alphabet you are reading now, a sounded-out version sits underneath.
3. Tap “Hear it” when the button is there. It shows up when your device has a voice for that language.
4. Pick the English meaning from the four choices.

Scoring and streaks

• Playing all five keeps your streak going and earns at least one star.
• Getting four of the five right earns two stars.
• Getting all five right earns three stars.

Sharing your result

When you finish, you get a spoiler-free badge to share. It shows how you did, never the answer, so friends can be curious without spoiling their own puzzle.

Common questions

Is everyone’s set the same?

Yes. The same five words in the same order for every player each day.

Why is there no sound on some words?

The Hear it button only shows up when your device already has a voice for that language. Most laptops and phones come with voices for French, Spanish, Russian, Japanese and a few others. Rarer languages often stay quiet.

Will this teach me a language?

No, and it does not try to. Polly is about recognising words, not learning to speak. The same everyday words come round in language after language, so scripts and sounds get familiar without any studying.