Hong Kong Linguistics Olympiad (HKLO)

香港语言学奧林匹克选拔赛

Activities

2021-2022

The team representing Hong Kong in the 19^th International Linguistics Olymipiad will consist of Ian Tam (La Salle College), Henry Wong (Diocesan Boys' School), Ryan Lo (Diocesan Boys’ School) and Samantha Yung (Pui Ching Middle School).

2020-2021

One team of 4 students has represented Hong Kong in the 18th International Linguistics Olympiad which took place online between the 19th and 24th of July 2021. All four students have been awarded a medal! (Xie Lingrui – Gold medal, Tam Lok Hang – Silver medal, Ip Tsz Oi – Silver medal, Ng Truman Toby – Bronze medal). Moreover, Hong Kong team earned the gold trophy for the highest average team score at the individual contest.

Hong Kong representatives to IOL 2021 (from left to right: Xie Lingrui, Ip Tsz Oi, Tam Lok Hang, Ng Truman Toby)

2019-2020

The International Linguistics Olympiad was cancelled due to the global COVID-19 pandemic.

2018-2019

Hong Kong took part for the first time in the International Linguistics Olympiad with two teams.

Past problems and results

HKLO 2022: Problems | Solutions | Results

HKLO 2021: Problems | Solutions | Results

HKLO 2020: Problems | Solutions | Results

HKLO 2019: Problems | Solutions | Results

What is the HKLO?

Hong Kong Linguistics Olympiad is the accredited competition to allow pre-university students to participate in the international linguistics competitions (International Linguistics Olympiad and Asia Pacific Linguistics Olympiad). The linguistics Olympiad consists of solving linguistic puzzles which require only logical ability, patient work and the willingness to accept challenges. No prior knowledge of linguistics or second languages is required. Students can learn more about the knowledge of world languages and improve their abilities of observation, logic and awareness of diversity while solving problems involving language data. Everyone is welcome to give it a try and explore the wondrous realm of language and experience its gems. The working language for HKLO is English. Participants who are eligible for linguistic Olympiads in other nations/regions (in addition to Hong Kong) cannot compete in multiple contests each year.

Targeted participants are from Form 1 to Form 6 students in Hong Kong secondary schools. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at hklinguisticsolympiad@gmail.com

For more information about Hong Kong results in the international competitions, please refer to the following official websites:

香港選拔賽簡介
香港語言學奧林匹克選拔賽 (Hong Kong Linguistics Olympiad, 簡稱 HKLO）是一項給中學生的語言謎題解題競賽。香港語言學奧林匹克選拔賽通過國際語言學奧林匹克（IOL）和亞太地區語言學奧林匹克（APLO）認證。競賽試題僅需以邏輯推理能力、耐心以及持續思考的意願來解題，語言學相關的先備知識或是第二外語都不是必要的。香港語言學奧林匹克選拔賽的官方語言是英語。而在國際語言學奧林匹克競賽及亞洲語言學奧林匹克競賽中，參賽者可以選擇中文或者英文。参赛者每人當年度以參加1項語言學奧林匹克競賽為限，不得跨國家或地區參賽。

香港選拔賽參賽資格
中一到中六之在學學生。

International Linguistics Olympiad: http://www.ioling.org/
Asia Pacific Linguistics Olympiad: https://www.aplo.asia/
Hong Kong Linguistics Olympiad: https://polyu.hk/amuVS
HKLO Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Hong-Kong-Linguistics-Olympiad-HKLO-763434627350476/

[語奧探知] at Wen Hui Bao

Wen Hui Bao version:

• 2019-09-12 Loan Words
• 2019-09-27 Mongolian Letters
• 2019-10-11 Word Order
• 2019-10-25 Sapir-Whorf Hypothesis
• 2019-11-08 Morphology and Word Formation
• 2019-11-28 What makes both ‘I’ and ‘me’ representing the same word in Chinese?
• 2019-12-13 Some Semantics (Part 1)
• 2019-12-16 Some Semantics (Part 2)
• 2020-01-03 Pame and Its Octonary Number System (Part 1)
• 2020-01-03 Pame and Its Octonary Number System (Part 2)
• 2020-01-17 Tibetic languages
• 2020-06-12 The Tibetan script

Organizing Committee

Chair

• Prof. Huang, Chu-Ren (Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, HK PolyU)

Standing Members

• Prof. Ahrens, Kathleen (Department of English and Communication, HK PolyU)
• Prof. Chan, Shui Duen (Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, HK PolyU)
• Prof. Cummings, Louise (Department of English and Communication, HK PolyU)
• Dr. Chen, Si (Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, HK PolyU)
• Prof. Li, Chor Shing David (Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, HK PolyU)
• Dr. Lim, Juyoung (Bank of America Merrill Lynch)
• Dr. Lee, Po Lun Peppina (Department of Linguistics and Translation, CityU HK)
• Ms. Luo, Xin (Leader of HK team in IOL 2019)
• Mr. Neacșu, Vlad (City University of Hong Kong)
• Mr. Pan, Tung-Le (Medalist at the International Linguistics Olympiad)
• Dr. Tay, Dennis (Department of English and Communication, HK PolyU)
• Dr. Yao, Yao (Department of Chinese and Bilingual Studies, HK PolyU)
• Ms. Yen, Jennifer (Parent representative)

Sponsoring Units

• Hong Kong Polytechnic University

   • Faculty of Humanities
        - Department of Chinese Bilingual Studies
              > The Hong Kong Polytechnic University-Peking University Research Centre on  Chinese Linguistics (RP2U2)
        - Department of English and Communication
              > Research Centre for Professional Communication in English (RCPCE)

  • Communications and Public Affairs Office
  • Department of Computing

• Hong Kong Academy of the Humanities (HKAH)
• The Linguistic Society of Hong Kong (LSHK)
• Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR)