A routine German lesson on Duolingo quickly turned into an unexpected controversy this week when language learners were prompted to translate a sentence that described JK Rowling as “mean.”
What should have been a simple grammar exercise instead ignited a heated debate over gender ideology, literary criticism, and the limits of editorial choices in educational tools.
The Sentence That Caused a Stir
The exercise asked users, in German, to respond to the question, “Do you like books with Harry Potter as a character?”
The correct translation provided read: “Yes, but in my opinion the author is mean.” An alternative, incorrect answer referenced sports interests instead.
Journalist Gaby Koppel shared her shock while learning German, posting on X (formerly Twitter):
“Shame on you @duolingo: learning German and I came across the sentence ‘Yes I like Harry Potter but the author is mean.’
How woke do you have to be to let #trans ideology infect a language lesson?”
Speaking to The Telegraph, she questioned the relevance of targeting Rowling in a language class. “It’s gratuitous,” she said.
“How is Rowling relevant to learning German?”
Why JK Rowling Became the Target
Koppel noted that, in her five months using Duolingo, Rowling was the only real-life person singled out for criticism.
“Not Putin, not the Ayatollahs, but somebody who happens to take a gender-critical stance,” she added.
Duolingo, which claims 34.1 million daily active users, quickly responded to the backlash.
A company spokesperson said: “We apologise for any offence caused and will remove this content from the app.”
Rowling Backs Fellow Author in Gender-Critical Debate
The controversy comes amid JK Rowling’s continued public support for other authors facing backlash over gender-critical views.
Recently, she defended John Boyne, the writer of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, whose nomination for the Polari Prize prompted 10 out of 24 other longlisted authors to withdraw.
Over 800 writers, editors, publishers, and booksellers had signed a statement objecting to Boyne’s nomination due to his gender-critical beliefs.
Rowling expressed her support on X, calling the treatment of Boyne “sad and angry” and condemning what she described as “tinpot tyrants” attempting to diminish his talent and integrity.
Tensions with Nicola Sturgeon
Rowling’s gender-critical stance has also put her at odds with political figures, including former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
The author previously published a scathing, expletive-filled review of Sturgeon’s memoir, criticizing her policies on gender self-identification.
Rowling accused Sturgeon of ignoring risks posed by male predators and described her approach as “Trumpian in her shameless denial of reality and hard facts.”
Sturgeon responded during interviews with BBC Radio Ulster and Newscast, acknowledging Rowling’s right to her views but noting the review left her feeling “more at risk of possible physical harm.”
A Wider Debate on Public Criticism and Educational Content
The Duolingo incident underscores the broader conversation about how controversial figures are portrayed in educational materials, particularly when discussions of gender and identity intersect with pop culture.
While the app’s team has promised to remove the sentence, the episode highlights the sensitivities surrounding Rowling’s public positions and the continued clash of viewpoints online.
JK Rowling’s Next Move
The Daily Mail has reached out to JK Rowling for comment, though the author has not yet responded.
For now, learners on Duolingo can expect a swift update to remove the contentious sentence, while debates around gender ideology, literary criticism, and online education continue to simmer.
