TAIPEI (TVBS News) — National Taiwan University (國立臺灣大學) hosted the opening ceremony of the 22nd International Linguistics Olympiad Monday (July 21), drawing nearly 400 participants from 43 countries and regions. This marks the first time Taiwan has hosted the international competition since its inception in 2003. The prestigious academic event brings together the world's brightest young linguists to Taiwan's premier university, showcasing the island's growing prominence in international educational competitions.
The Olympiad represents one of the world's largest linguistics competitions for secondary school students, challenging participants to use logical reasoning and observation skills. Competitors must decipher the structure of unknown languages and understand their rules and cultural contexts through analytical thinking. Taiwan's team, led by Shu-Kai Hsieh (謝舒凱), an associate professor at National Taiwan University's Graduate Institute of Linguistics, has competed since 2016.
Deputy Minister of Education Chun-Chang Chu (朱俊彰) remarked during the opening ceremony that language is one of humanity's greatest creations, allowing people to express themselves effectively. Chu emphasized Taiwan's remarkable linguistic diversity, which includes Mandarin, Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka, and 16 Indigenous languages across the island. He highlighted the nation's commitment to promoting multilingual education in schools, demonstrating Taiwan's dedication to preserving and celebrating its rich linguistic heritage.
Wen-chang Chen (陳文章), president of National Taiwan University, expressed pride in hosting the international event and encouraged participants to enjoy the competition while exchanging ideas. Chenhao Chiu (邱振豪), an associate professor at the Institute of Linguistics and chair of the organizing committee, noted the Olympiad transcends mere competition. He described it as a meeting of the world's linguistic elite, showcasing the diversity and vitality of Taiwan's linguistics field. ◼
