Linguistics ChallengeLinguistics Challenge

20062006

What is the “Linguistics Challenge?”

Originally “Linguistic Olympics”Originally “Linguistic Olympics” Problem-solving activityProblem-solving activity Students solve linguistic problems (or Students solve linguistic problems (or

“puzzles”) in languages they have never “puzzles”) in languages they have never learned.learned.

How is the Linguistics Challenge implemented? University-based academic competition for University-based academic competition for

secondary students.secondary students. Interactive web-based resource for Interactive web-based resource for

secondary students and teachers.secondary students and teachers. International academic competition.International academic competition. Future?Future?

History of the “Linguistic Olympics”

Started in Moscow, Russia, in 1965.Started in Moscow, Russia, in 1965. Expanded to St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1995.Expanded to St. Petersburg, Russia, in 1995. Implemented as a university-based academic Implemented as a university-based academic

competition in Eugene, Oregon, in 1999, competition in Eugene, Oregon, in 1999, 2000 and 2001.2000 and 2001.

International Competitions in 2003 International Competitions in 2003 (Borovetz, Bulgaria), 2004 (Moscow, (Borovetz, Bulgaria), 2004 (Moscow, Russia), and 2005 (Leiden, Netherlands).Russia), and 2005 (Leiden, Netherlands).

Currently web-based only in USA.Currently web-based only in USA.

What are these “puzzles” like?

Real languages -- no simplification or made-Real languages -- no simplification or made-up data.up data.

Languages treated with respect – not Languages treated with respect – not curiosities. curiosities.

Demographic and geographic information Demographic and geographic information givengiven

Self-sufficientSelf-sufficient No typos!No typos!

What are the best puzzles like?

Illustrate some cross-cultural factIllustrate some cross-cultural fact Logic involving two or more stages – not Logic involving two or more stages – not

simple analogy.simple analogy.

What does “two-stage logic” mean?

Compare to simple analogy: Kurmanji Compare to simple analogy: Kurmanji Kurdish problemKurdish problem

Two stage logic: HawaiianTwo stage logic: Hawaiian

What types of puzzles are there?

Analyze and translateAnalyze and translate

Match translationsMatch translations

Writing systemsWriting systems

Three types (more or less):Three types (more or less):

Sample #3: Writing Systems

There are basically three types of writing systems:There are basically three types of writing systems:

AlphabetsAlphabets

SyllabariesSyllabaries

Logographic systemsLogographic systems

In an Alphabet . . .

each character represents a consonant . . .each character represents a consonant . . .

b d g p t k v s z j m b d g p t k v s z j m n l rn l r

, etc., etc.

or a vowel . . . or a vowel . . .

a e i o ua e i o u, etc., etc.

““Alpha” is the first letter of the Greek alphabet:Alpha” is the first letter of the Greek alphabet:

and “Beta” is the second:and “Beta” is the second:

AlphaAlphabetbet

In a Syllabary . . .

each character represents a syllable . . .each character represents a syllable . . .

ba de gi po tu ka ve si lo ba de gi po tu ka ve si lo yuyu

, etc., etc.

Many languages, like Russian, use a Many languages, like Russian, use a combination of a syllabary and an alphabet. combination of a syllabary and an alphabet.

. . . is pronounced “ya” in Russian.. . . is pronounced “ya” in Russian.

. . . is pronounced “ye” in Russian.. . . is pronounced “ye” in Russian.

For example:For example:

In a Logographic System . . .

each character represents aeach character represents a wholewhole word . . .word . . .

dog cat girl parsimoniousdog cat girl parsimonious , etc., etc.

Many languages use logographic systems. Many languages use logographic systems. For example, in the system used for For example, in the system used for Mandarin and many other languages . . .Mandarin and many other languages . . .

. . . means “mouth.”. . . means “mouth.”

and . . . means “person.”

Did you know that the English system is Did you know that the English system is also partly logographic?also partly logographic?

Think about it. Think about it. How do you pronounce these words?How do you pronounce these words?

““heart,” or “love”heart,” or “love”““two”two” ““seven”seven”

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

Sample #3: Writing Systems

LuvianIn 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 king Armura: The region Narva:

The region Tarmu:

Assumptions All puzzles represent real languages.All puzzles represent real languages. There is only one correct solution.There is only one correct solution. All puzzles are solvable on their own.All puzzles are solvable on their own. No outside knowledge is necessary.No outside knowledge is necessary. The introduction is important.The introduction is important. You can earn points on a puzzle, even if You can earn points on a puzzle, even if

you don’t finish it. So write something!you don’t finish it. So write something!

Expectations

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

Prizes Gold, Silver and Bronze Gold, Silver and Bronze

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

Are you ready to begin?Are you ready to begin?You are the brave, the bold the fearless. When You are the brave, the bold the fearless. When you see the flame, you may open your puzzle you see the flame, you may open your puzzle

booklet. When you hear the music again, it will booklet. When you hear the music again, it will be time to stop.be time to stop.

Good Luck!Good Luck!

Linguistic ChallengeLinguistic Challenge

20002000