2011 North American Computational Linguistics Olympiad

Many of our circle members enjoy participating in the North American Computational Linguistics Olympiad, NACLO.   Like the USAMO, this set of contests is used to select the team that will represent the US in the International Linguistics Olympiad, ILO.  This is not a test of how many languages you know, but rather your ability to problem solve and therefore many successful math problem solvers have made it onto the ILO team.

Once again Dr. Vincent Ng will be offering the NACLO at UT Dallas.  Please take advantage of this excellent opportunity to broaden your problem solving skills and potentially earn a highly regarded credential.  Here is information from the NACLO website:

This olympiad is a contest in which high-school students solve linguistic puzzles. In solving the problems, students learn about the diversity and consistency of language, while exercising logic skills. No prior knowledge of linguistics or second languages is necessary. Professionals in linguistics, computational linguistics and language technologies use dozens of languages to create engaging problems that represent cutting edge issues in their fields. The competition has attracted top students to study and work in those same fields. It is truly an opportunity for young people to experience a taste of natural-language processing in the 21st century.

Round 1: Wednesday, February 2 (2011)
Round 2: Thursday, March 10 (2011)

 

 

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NACLO 2009

Adam Hesterberg

Students who excel at math competitions like the AMC 10 and 12 might be interested in participating in the North American Computational Linguistics Olympiad coming up in February.   Similar to the USAMO, this national test is used to select a team to compete internationally in the International Linguistics Olympiad.

Like Math Circles and international problem solving competitions, these linguistics competitions have their origins in Eastern Europe.  They also appear to draw on many of the same problem solving and thinking talents of successful Math Olympians.    In this interview with Adam Hesterberg, a former MATHCOUNTS and USAMO winner, explains how he prepared for his win in last year’s ILO.

For those of us in the Metroplex area it appears that the University of North Texas in Denton will be offering the NACLO this year.

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