TOUCAN has developed a Chrome browser extension designed for people who want to learn a new language but haven’t found the time.

Once installed, the extension scans the text of any English-language website you’re visiting and will automatically translate some of the words into the language that you’re trying to learn. If you mouse over the word, you’ll see original English word.

The startup was founded by Taylor Nieman, Shaun Merritt and Brandon Dietz. Last week it announced that it has raised US$3 million in seed funding.

Toucan currently supports Spanish, French, Italian, German and Portuguese.

Nieman said the extension can be used as you take digital or in-person classes to solidify and expand your vocabulary. Or if you’re not taking classes, you can still use Toucan on its own, and it can help you achieve (as Dietz put it) “that magic moment of realizing you know a few words in other people’s languages.”

To ensure accuracy, the company works with teams of translators, including college professors and students, while also employing natural language processing to understand the context in which words are appearing. Users can also report words that are incorrectly translated.

And Toucan is experimenting with fun ways to promote itself, including the ability to “own” a word, so that your name appears anytime a word is translated by Toucan.

Eventually, the company could charge people and businesses to own (aka sponsor) certain words. In addition, users can sign up for a premium subscription that gives them access to additional vocabulary. Dietz suggested that Toucan will continue exploring different business models, but he said the team is committed to “accessible” education and will keep “a large chunk” of the offering free.

Toucan is planning to add new languages and to launch browser extensions for Firefox and Safari. (SD-Agencies)