The Witcher Makes Wild Appearance in Language Learning App Duolingo

The Witcher has moved far beyond its core collection of books and games, with a Netflix show, official manga, tabletop game, and even a cookbook all on offer, but now it’s even showing up in language learning app Duolingo.

Spotted by Reddit user GeraltAndYennefer, one of the questions in Duolingo’s Finnish course asks for a translation of the phrase: The bride is a woman and the groom is a hedgehog. “Is this a Witcher reference?”, the Reddit user asked.

IGN has confirmed with Duolingo that this is indeed a deep cut nod to the beloved fantasy series, specifically to the short story A Question of Price, which was adapted for TV in Season 1 Episode 4 of the Netflix series.

The Witcher protagonist Geralt of Rivia attends a banquet hosted by Queen Calanthe of Cintra in the story, who’s likely more familiar to fans as Ciri’s grandmother. Ciri isn’t born at this point though, as the story actually tells the tale of her parents’ betrothal.

Myriad suitors have travelled to Cintra to try and win the hand of Princess Pavetta, Ciri’s mother, but through a complex series of events, it’s a masked knight called Duny who Pavetta chooses. Duny is exposed to be cursed, however, which essentially turns him into a hedgehog monster at night. But Geralt saves the day and the princess and the hedgehog become engaged, thus the Duolingo reference.

“Duolingo is somewhat notorious for odd and funny sentences in our courses, but there’s real learning value behind them,” a Duolingo spokesperson told IGN. “And at times we’ve deliberately inserted anime, gaming, or other pop culture references into our content, to help connect language learning with people’s passions and interests.”

This includes adding the entire High Valyrian language from Game of Thrones to their app, alongside a Crunchyroll partnership which offers anime specific Japanese lessons.

The Witcher is plenty busy too, of course. Video game developer CD Projekt Red has several projects in development including the first game of a new trilogy, a multiplayer game with a wider appeal than the typical role playing games, and a remake of the original Witcher in Unreal Engine 5.

Season 4 of the Netflix show is due to begin production in spring 2024 too, though without its leading man as Henry Cavill walked away from the series. Liam Hemsworth will instead take on the Geralt of Rivia role as the witcher looks to reunite his family but makes a new one along the way.

Elsewhere, a new book from original author Andrzej Sapkowski is expected in early 2025, another board game based on The Witcher called Path of Destiny is in development, and Netflix is creating a new anime film with Geralt’s video game voice actor Doug Cockle at the helm.

Ryan Dinsdale is an IGN freelance reporter. He’ll talk about The Witcher all day.