Let’s Talk About Duolingo’s Delightfully Unhinged, Thirsty TikTok Account (& How Much I Love It)

I know we aren’t supposed to fan over corporate social media accounts, but I want to propose an exception for the language learning app known as Duolingo. About half the content is stuff you’d expect from a Duolingo TikTok. This includes reminders to log on and practice, shaming you for cheating with Google Translate, and some educational content. The other half (often mixed with the first half) features the app’s neon green bird mascot referencing HR’s feelings on the videos and following TikTok trends.

Before we get to the weird stuff, there’s some necessary housekeeping. Online there’s a hotly contested debate about Duo’s (the bird mascot) gender. However, when Duo refers to themselves in the third person, it’s usually he/him so that’s what I’m going with. Speaking of gender, Duo’s workplace features gender-neutral bathrooms and content on the app is LGBT-friendly (to varying degrees.) This has upset some hateful people and rather than awkward PR statements, Duo sets the record straight. Every so often Duo makes it very clear where the company stands on this issue.

Thirsty over Dua Lipa

From September 2021 to November 2021, Duolingo’s profile began to blow up on TikTok under the leadership of 23-year-old social media manager Zaria Parvez. Parvez being thoroughly steeped in meme culture, plus her love for pop superstars Taylor Swift and Dua Lipa, shines through in much of the content. Loving Dua Lipa, in particular, has become a core personality trait of Duo.

Duo regularly uses Dua Lipa music (beyond just the hits), uses her name as hashtags, and tags the English artist. I’m not sure what started first, Duo’s love for Dua Lipa or people mistakenly or purposefully calling Duolingo “Dualingo.”

Find themselves a Sugar Daddy

Duo, not holding out for Dua Lipa, had a few days of a public fling with a famous sponge—no, not SpongeBob, even though that would be hilarious. Instead, it was another often-memed brand, Scrub Daddy. While the handful of crossover videos went viral, nothing crossed into other social media as dramatically as the news that the two mascots became parents?!

Those using the phrase “unhinged” to describe Duolingo’s presence online would be correct. However, all of this isn’t exactly off-brand for either account, especially Duolingo. Okay, sure, maybe selling sex between an owl and a smiling sponge is new, but not a big deal (as long as we get to see the babies again). If anything, this could promote the family plan they launched in 2021. While the app is free, a paid version is $13 per month, or $80 for the year. The Duolingo family plan costs $130 per year and can hold up to 6 users.

If you Google “Duolingo Meme,” you’ll see the various editions of Evil Duolingo. This version is the bird that goes from passive-aggressively reminding you to do your language lesson to a more sinister “or else” vibe, and the brand has played with this in the past. While I love this because it came from the fans, Parvez’s leadership on TikTok has retained Duo’s spirit with a more friendly (and hornier) beaked face, and it’s a delight.

(via TikTok, image: screencaps from Duolingo’s TikTok)

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Alyssa Shotwell

(she/her) Award-winning artist and writer with professional experience and education in graphic design, art history, and museum studies. She began her career in journalism in October 2017 when she joined her student newspaper as the Online Editor. This resident of the yeeHaw land spends most of her time drawing, reading and playing the same handful of video games—even as the playtime on Steam reaches the quadruple digits. Currently playing: Baldur's Gate 3 & Oxygen Not Included.

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