# DevGlish — Complete Product Reference

> DevGlish is a macOS menu bar app that helps non-native English speaking developers improve their tech English. It provides correct pronunciation for 205+ tech terms, native phrasing for code reviews and standups, L1 interference tips for CJK/European speakers, and AI-powered learning modes — all accessible via a global hotkey ⌘⇧D.

## What DevGlish Does

DevGlish solves three core problems for non-native English speaking developers:

1. **Mispronouncing tech terms**: Developers learn terms like Kubernetes, nginx, cache from documentation — they read them but never hear them. DevGlish provides correct pronunciation with IPA notation, phonetic guides, audio playback, and karaoke-style practice.

2. **Writing unnatural English**: Phrases like "please kindly help" or "I have a doubt" are common L1 interference patterns. DevGlish teaches native developer phrasing for code reviews, standup meetings, Slack messages, and technical writing.

3. **Lacking confidence in English communication**: Even when code is perfect, mispronouncing terms or using awkward phrasing erodes developer confidence in meetings, interviews, and cross-team collaboration.

## How It Works

1. Select any text in any macOS app (VS Code, browser, Slack, terminal)
2. Press ⌘⇧D (global hotkey)
3. A floating learning card appears with pronunciation, meaning, examples, and tips
4. Or press ⌘⇧D with nothing selected to open a quick input box

DevGlish runs entirely from the macOS menu bar. No browser tab, no context switching.

## 6 Smart Lookup Modes

- **Word Mode**: Single word lookup — pronunciation, IPA, phonetic guide, common mistakes, etymology, L1 tips, example sentences
- **Phrase Mode**: Multi-word expressions — natural phrasing alternatives, formality levels, context-appropriate usage
- **Sentence Mode**: Full sentence analysis — grammar correction, native rephrasing, tone adjustment
- **Paragraph Mode**: Long text analysis — comprehensive rewrite suggestions, structural improvements
- **Express Mode**: Quick translation and explanation — fastest path from L1 thinking to English expression
- **Polish Mode**: Rewrite text to sound native — for PR descriptions, Slack messages, emails, documentation

## Tech Term Pronunciation Database (205+ Terms)

### Categories

- **Programming Languages** (9 terms): Java, Python, Kotlin, Rust, Golang, C#, Haskell, Erlang, Lua
- **DevOps & Infrastructure** (25+ terms): Kubernetes, nginx, Docker, daemon, sudo, cron, wget, SSH, Ubuntu, Debian, YAML, JSON, CLI, API, etc.
- **Databases & Data** (15+ terms): PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Redis, MongoDB, SQL, NoSQL, schema, query, cache, etc.
- **Frameworks & Libraries** (19+ terms): Django, Vue, Svelte, Next.js, Nuxt, FastAPI, Flask, jQuery, Tailwind, etc.
- **Programming Concepts** (50+ terms): boolean, char, enum, regex, async, null, tuple, queue, recursion, algorithm, etc.
- **Developer Tools** (20+ terms): Git, GitHub, VS Code, Vim, Emacs, Figma, Jira, Vercel, Netlify, etc.
- **Companies & Brands** (10+ terms): Huawei, Xiaomi, ASUS, Twitch, Spotify, Adobe, etc.
- **Basics & Fundamentals** (30+ terms): GIF, FAQ, URL, HTTP, Wi-Fi, pixel, avatar, router, etc.

### Top Mispronounced Terms

| Term | IPA | Phonetic | Common Mistakes |
|------|-----|----------|----------------|
| Kubernetes | /kuːbərˈnetiːz/ | KOO-ber-NET-eez | koo-BER-nets, KOO-ber-neets |
| nginx | /ˌendʒɪnˈeks/ | ENGINE-X | en-jinx, N-G-I-N-X |
| cache | /kæʃ/ | KASH | cash-ay, catch, ka-shay |
| PostgreSQL | /ˌpoʊstɡrɛsˈkjuːɛl/ | post-gres-Q-L | post-gray-SQL |
| sudo | /suːduː/ | SOO-doo | sue-doh, pseudo |
| OAuth | /oʊˈɔːθ/ | OH-awth | oh-auth, oh-A-T-H |
| daemon | /ˈdiːmən/ | DEE-mun | day-mon, die-mon |
| char | /tʃɑːr/ or /kær/ | CHAR or CARE | char (charcoal only) |
| enum | /ˈiːnʌm/ | EE-num | ee-NOOM, en-um |
| GIF | /ɡɪf/ or /dʒɪf/ | GIF or JIF | both accepted |
| SQL | /ˈsiːkwəl/ or /ɛskjuːˈɛl/ | sequel or S-Q-L | both accepted |
| Linux | /ˈlɪnʌks/ | LIN-uks | lie-nux |
| YAML | /ˈjæməl/ | YAM-ul | Y-A-M-L |
| JSON | /ˈdʒeɪsən/ | JAY-son | J-S-O-N |
| regex | /ˈrɛdʒɛks/ | REJ-eks | ree-jex |
| GUI | /ˈɡjuːi/ | GOO-ee | G-U-I |
| Vue | /vjuː/ | VYOO | V-U-E |
| Django | /ˈdʒæŋɡoʊ/ | JANG-oh | D-jango |
| Ubuntu | /ʊˈbuːntuː/ | oo-BOON-too | you-BUN-too |
| wget | /ˈdʌbəljuːˌɡɛt/ | W-get | wuh-get, w-jet |

## L1 Interference Detection

DevGlish identifies pronunciation traps specific to your mother tongue:

- **Chinese speakers**: Tendency to add tonal patterns to English words, difficulty with /θ/ and /ð/ sounds, confusion between /l/ and /r/
- **Japanese speakers**: Katakana-influenced pronunciation (adding vowels after consonants), difficulty with /l/ vs /r/, /v/ vs /b/
- **Korean speakers**: Difficulty with /f/ vs /p/, /z/ vs /j/, final consonant clusters
- **German speakers**: /w/ vs /v/ confusion, final consonant devoicing, vowel length differences

## Developer Expressions (50+)

Native phrasing for common developer scenarios:

- **Code Review**: "LGTM", "nit: consider renaming this", "could we extract this into a helper?", "this looks good to me, ship it"
- **Standup**: "I'm blocked on...", "I'll pick up the auth ticket next", "nothing to flag, on track for Thursday"
- **Slack**: "heads up — deploying to staging in 10", "anyone have context on this error?", "ack, will look into it"
- **Technical Discussion**: "let's take this offline", "I think we're over-engineering this", "what's the blast radius?"

## v2.0 Features

- **Smart Quiz**: AI-generated quizzes that adapt to your weak spots — pronunciation, vocabulary, and phrasing
- **Scenario Practice**: Simulated developer conversations (code review discussions, standup updates, technical debates) with AI feedback
- **Weekly Report**: Learning analytics — words learned, pronunciation accuracy trend, streak tracking, weak areas

## Pricing

| Plan | Price | Lookups | Features |
|------|-------|---------|----------|
| Free | $0 | 10/day | All 6 modes, 205+ terms, 50+ expressions, word book, daily word, basic stats |
| Pro | $9.90/month | 1,000/day | Everything in Free + cloud sync, spaced repetition, interview prep, smart quiz, scenario practice, weekly report, VS Code & Safari extensions, priority support |

## Technical Details

- **Platform**: macOS 14.0 (Sonoma) or later
- **Installation**: Download DMG from devglish.com or Mac App Store
- **Extensions**: VS Code extension, Safari extension
- **Data**: Local-first with optional cloud sync (Pro). Tech term database works offline.
- **Privacy**: No data collection without consent. API keys stored in macOS Keychain.
- **AI Engine**: Powered by Claude API for lookup analysis and learning card generation

## Who Is DevGlish For

- Non-native English speaking software developers
- International engineering teams communicating in English
- Developers preparing for English-language technical interviews
- Engineers who want to sound more natural in code reviews, standups, and Slack
- CJK (Chinese, Japanese, Korean) developers working at global companies

## Links

- Website: https://devglish.com
- Pronunciation Guide: https://devglish.com/pronounce
- Blog: https://devglish.com/blog
- Documentation: https://devglish.com/docs
- Pricing: https://devglish.com/pricing
- Download: https://dl.devglish.com/DevGlish.dmg
- Contact: support@devglish.com