About three years ago I built PidginPal, an English to Pidgin translator, and eventually stopped giving it much attention.

Then someone emailed saying it had never worked for them and asking, “Abeg you fix it okay???” Fair enough. It made me go back and rebuild it.

One part I'm trying to improve is how the app handles context. A translation might be understandable but still sound wrong for the person you're talking to or the situation you're in.

I've added regional options and explanations of wording and tone, but these use AI and can still get things wrong. I'm the developer, so this is a post about my own app. It's on iOS and Android, with free core translation and one new explanation per day, regional options, context, history and favourites are in Pro.

Would you find something like this useful for understanding messages, helping friends or family learn, or something else? I'd like to understand the real use cases rather than assume.

I know it’s illegal but some people have access to it. Anyone know any plugs in Douala? Or places I can freely smoke? Asking for a friend.