All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad (AILO) 2.76

The All Ireland Linguistics Olympiad challenges secondary school students to use logic, ingenuity and computational thinking to solve complex puzzles in unfamiliar languages.

Students must use their ingenuity to solve puzzles such as deciphering ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics; interpreting Tenji, the Japanese equivalent of Braille; and writing the names of football teams in Chinese. No prior knowledge of linguistics or languages is required: even the hardest problems require only logical ability, patient work, and a willingness to think around corners.

AILO’s primary aim is to enhance students’ problem solving skills in order to prepare them for high-tech careers in Ireland’s multi-billion euro digital content sector. Launched by CNGL in 2009, the contest has attracted more than 8,500 secondary school students to date. The top performers go on to represent Ireland at the International Linguistics Olympiad.

The ADAPT Centre is funded under the SFI Research Centres Programme and is co-funded under the European Regional Development Fund.