Linklado App transforms digital communication in the Brazilian Amazon

In the vast expanse of Brazil’s Amazon region, where 1.7 million Indigenous inhabitants grapple with connectivity challenges, a groundbreaking solution has emerged. Meet “Linklado,” a visionary smartphone app crafted by two young friends from the Amazon that transcends language barriers, allowing Indigenous communities to communicate in their native tongues.

Despite Brazil’s hyper-connected status boasting over 250 million cell phones for a population of 203 million, Indigenous communities found themselves excluded due to devices predominantly featuring Brazilian Portuguese keyboards. Launched in 2022, Linklado addresses this disparity with a digital keyboard that accommodates the mix of Latin letters, bars, swoops, accents, and other symbols inherent in many Indigenous alphabets in Brazil.

Cristina Quirino Mariano, a member of the Ticuna people, attests to the app’s transformative impact: “Linklado has done so much good for Indigenous peoples, including me. Before, we couldn’t write on our phones. Now we can.” The app, developed by Juliano Portela and Samuel Benzecry, has become a bridge between far-flung Amazon villages and urban centers, fostering communication within Indigenous communities and beyond.

Noemia Ishikawa, Linklado’s project coordinator, highlights the app’s pivotal role in overcoming language barriers that previously compelled Indigenous people to resort to audio messages. The app caters to approximately 40 Indigenous languages in the Amazon, addressing a long-standing need for inclusive digital communication.

Juliano Portela and Samuel Benzecry, both natives of the Amazon region, conceived the idea to create a practical solution. The app’s development took a mere four days, surprising even its creators with its swift realization. Since its official launch in August 2022, Linklado has garnered over 3,000 downloads, with an even broader user base relying on the initial test version.

Linklado’s impact extends beyond connectivity, providing a platform for non-speakers to pay for translations into Indigenous languages. This revenue-generating feature empowers Indigenous women, often marginalized in Latin America’s economy, to earn income through their language proficiency.

Rosilda Cordeiro da Silva, a 61-year-old Indigenous languages teacher and translator within the app, praises Linklado for boosting her confidence in translation work. The app not only facilitates communication but also contributes to the preservation of endangered Indigenous languages, a global challenge acknowledged by the United Nations.

In the words of Vanda Witoto, an Indigenous activist, Linklado is instrumental in “saving the Bure language, which is spoken by the Witoto people.” As the app continues to make strides in fostering connectivity, it stands as a testament to the transformative power of technology in preserving cultural diversity and ensuring inclusivity in the digital era.