Introduction
wj3ng.github.io/uniling
goo.gl/PwQjYy
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FAQs
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Introduction to linguistics
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Linguistics puzzles & contests
FAQs
What the h*ck is linguistics?
- Common features of all languages
- Unique features in certain languages
- How humans process language
Linguistics is the study of how language works.
Why linguistics instead of Spanish, French, etc?
Asking a linguist how many languages (s)he speaks is like asking a doctor how many diseases (s)he has.
Learning linguistics ≠ learning languages
Subfields of Linguistics
Phonetics
the study of speech sounds in their physical aspects
Phonology
the study of speech sounds in their cognitive aspects
Syntax
the study of the formation of sentences
Morphology
the study of the formation of words
Semantics
the study of meaning
Pragmatics
the study of language use
Other subfields
- Number systems
- Writing systems
- Sociolinguistics
- Historical Linguistics
- Computational Linguistics
- Neurolinguistics
Contests
NACLO
North American
Computational Linguistics Olympiad
IOL
International Linguistics Olympiad
Puzzles
What to expect
- No prior knowledge required
- Features a language you don't/shouldn't know
- Different problems focus on different fields
- Figure out rules of the unknown language from given examples in hints
- Most problems will take some time to solve (don't expect to solve dozens in an hour)
- Scratch paper is strongly recommended
- Think outside the box
Sample problem
Match the Zulu sentences on the left with their English translations on the right.
Siyaqonda.
Uyabona.
Ngiyaqonda.
I see him.
We walk.
I understand.
We understand.
You see.
Sample problem 2
UniLing 1: Introduction to Linguistics
By Willie Jeng
