Page 9 - 親親康橋

9 多元探索課程 - 奧林匹亞
From Logic to Language: Students Dive Into the Linguistics Olympiad
作者 / Yi-Chun,KO Coordinator of Linguistics Olympiad Program
Linguistics, though fundamental to understanding human communication, remains relatively
unfamiliar to many people in Taiwan and is often mistaken for “language learning.” In reality,
linguistics examines the structure of language, its evolution, social uses, and cognitive
mechanisms. For instance, sociolinguists study how people shift accents or word choices
across contexts, while psycholinguists investigate phenomena such as the tip-of-the-tongue
state to understand what the brain is doing at that moment. These examples show that
linguistics bridges both the social and natural sciences, and that studying it fosters not only
analytical thinking but also a deeper understanding of human communication.
The Linguistics Olympiad builds on these foundations as an international problem-solving
competition that applies linguistic concepts rather than testing language ability. Students
analyze unfamiliar linguistic data through observation, pattern recognition, and logical
inference—such as deducing grammatical rules in an unknown language or identifying sound
correspondences across dialects. Understanding basic linguistic principles therefore greatly
enhances accuracy and efficiency in solving Olympiad problems.
This Linguistics Olympiad course introduces the major fields of linguistics and integrates both
scientific and humanistic perspectives. Lower-grade students learn fundamentals such as
phonetics and syntax to begin examining language like a linguist, while upper-grade students
explore advanced topics like sociolinguistics and computational linguistics, enabling them to
gain a more comprehensive understanding of the field. The curriculum prepares students for
complex problems and supports those interested in independent research, cultivating both
strong problem-solving skills and sustained curiosity about language.
作者 / 11A Chloe 張予瑄
At the start of tenth grade, I randomly stumbled into linguistics
when choosing one of the Olympiad topics to study. After
some brief research, I found myself staying up past midnight
watching YouTube videos on how to solve linguistics problems,
even though I barely knew anything about the field. To me,
linguistics feels like solving puzzles, recognizing layers and
layers of patterns and structures that help build up a language.
Linguistics has changed the way I notice everyday
conversations, especially how we international
students naturally blend Mandarin and English,
and how the mixing subtly shifts our grammar and
sentence structure. This subject is like no other that
you will encounter in school, helping you develop
logical thinking and fueling your curiosity.
作者 / 11A Jessica 梁宇涵
When I first heard about linguistics in seventh grade, I, like everyone else at the time, thought it was just a
fancier way of saying “learning languages.” I’d always loved English and enjoyed studying different cultures
through words, but I didn’t think much more about it until two years later. By ninth grade, I realized that my
original Olympiad subject (economics) wasn’t quite for me, and that’s when I was drawn by the logic and
creativity in linguistics my friend Alina has always told me about, and decided to give it a real try. I had no
idea then that it would become one of the most fascinating subjects I’d ever study in one of the most fun
classes I’d ever partaken in. Linguistics isn’t about memorizing vocabulary or mastering strict grammar
rules; it’s about discovering the hidden systems that make human communication possible. I began paying
attention to the mechanics of language: how a single sound is shaped, how meaning shifts with context,
and how the mind handles words in the split second before speech. It was like uncovering the code behind
how we all think and connect, which really gave me a new appreciation for just how intricate everyday
communication is behind the scenes.
What struck me the most was how analytical linguistics turned out to be. Each problem felt like solving a
mystery, literally. No prior knowledge of language was needed, just a sharp eye for patterns and a willingness
to test out hypotheses. I remember the first time we correctly deduced grammatical rules for an unfamiliar
Austronesian language in class and the exhilaration of not just “getting the right answer,” but also having
figured out how the system worked. It made me realize how important structure, context, and subject (and a
lot more) are in matters of language, yet how naturally humans use them every day without even noticing.
作者 / 11G Alina 曹芷齊
When I was first exposed to the Linguistic Olympiad, it had been placed alongside a myriad of other options.
What made linguistics stand out to me was not only my keenness towards this “mystery” subject, but also
my love for languages in general. While it had been made clear to me from the beginning that linguistics
was more than learning languages, I have since young developed an interest in phonological sounds and
was especially observant towards the differences in language. Therefore, the idea of not learning a foreign
language, but instead delving deeper into the rules governing all languages, appealed to me in how it found
a commonality among the diverse expression of culture and heritage that is language. While the topic of
linguistics may sound distant, the course’s strong emphasis on logic and deductive reasoning created an
impact on my academics beyond language and humanities classes.
Putting reasoning skills aside, to me, linguistics is more than languages, more than logic. It is the pride you
get from successfully solving a problem, knowing that your hard work has led you to unlock the mysteries of
a language people take years to learn. This relationship between effort and achievement, as revealed by my
experience in the Linguistics Olympiad, has led me to apply the same concept across my life to become an
active learner. With no prior knowledge on a language and simply the willingness to put in time and effort, I
can solve Olympiad level questions. This understanding of work ethic and logical reasoning skills have both
made the Linguistic Olympiad memorable for me.