What is the “Linguistics Challenge?”

Originally “Linguistic Olympics”

Problem-solving activity

Students solve linguistic problems (or
“puzzles”) in languages they have never learned.

How is the Linguistics Challenge implemented?

University-based academic competition for secondary students.

Interactive web-based resource for secondary students and teachers.

International academic competition.

Future?

History of the “Linguistic Olympics”





Started in Moscow, Russia, in 1965.
Expanded to St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1995.
Implemented as a university-based academic competition in Eugene, Oregon, in 1999,
2000 and 2001.
International Competitions in 2003
(Borovetz, Bulgaria), 2004 (Moscow,
Russia), and 2005 (Leiden, Netherlands).
Currently web-based only in USA.


Real languages -- no simplification or madeup data.

Languages treated with respect – not curiosities.

Demographic and geographic information given

Self-sufficient

No typos!


Illustrate some cross-cultural fact

Logic involving two or more stages – not simple analogy.

What does “two-stage logic” mean?

Compare to simple analogy: Kurmanji
Kurdish problem

Two stage logic: Hawaiian

Three types (more or less):

Analyze and translate

Match translations

Writing systems

There are basically three types of writing systems:
 Alphabets
 Syllabaries
 Logographic systems

each character represents a consonant . . .
b d g p t k v s z j m n l r
, etc.
or a vowel . . . a e i o u , etc.

“Alpha” is the first letter of the Greek alphabet: and “Beta” is the second:

each character represents a syllable . . .
ba de gi po tu ka ve si lo yu
, etc.

Many languages, like Russian, use a combination of a syllabary and an alphabet.
For example:
. . . is pronounced “ya” in Russian.
. . . is pronounced “ye” in Russian.

each character represents a whole word . . .
dog cat girl parsimonious , etc.

Many languages use logographic systems.
For example, in the system used for
Mandarin and many other languages . . .
. . . means “mouth.” and . . . means “person.”

Did you know that the English system is also partly logographic?
Think about it.
How do you pronounce these words?
“two” “seven” “heart,” or “love”

Logographic systems are very useful. Since they represent concepts rather than sounds they can allow people who speak different languages to communicate.
So if I am visiting a country where I do not speak the language, I can write numbers to express my thoughts.

In the early 20th century, archeologists had collected a large quantity of inscriptions in an unknown ancient language. Unfortunately, these writings were totally incomprehensible until one scholar discovered the key. Many of the words in the inscriptions were names of regions, cities or kings. This key allowed the scholars to unlock the secrets of the Luvian empire.

Some of the important names were the following:
Regions: Khamatu, Palaa. Cities: Kurkuma, Tuvarnava.
Kings: Varpalava, Tarkumuva.
The following are the inscriptions that correspond to these names. Your job is to match each inscription with the name that it represents. The process you use to solve this puzzle is very similar to what archeological linguists actually do when they discover writings and inscriptions in unknown languages:

Now, the next step is to use what you have just learned to determine what the Luvian inscription would probably be for each of the following names:
The king Parta: The region Tuva:
The region Narva: The king Armura:
The region Tarmu:

 All puzzles represent real languages.
 There is only one correct solution.
 All puzzles are solvable on their own.
 No outside knowledge is necessary.
 The introduction is important.
 You can earn points on a puzzle, even if you don’t finish it. So write something!

 No collaboration (sorry).
 You may leave at any time.

You probably won’t finish all the puzzles.
 When you hear the music, please stop work.

Gold, Silver and Bronze medals will be awarded in two categories. The winners will be announced and prizes awarded in the EMU
Ballroom this afternoon or at your school.

You are the brave, the bold the fearless. When you see the flame, you may open your puzzle booklet. When you hear the music again, it will be time to stop.