At the German Linguistics Olympiad (DOL), students put their linguistic intuition, cultural imagination, and logical-analytical thinking to the test. The tasks are based on datasets from natural and artificial languages and invite participants to identify and apply systematic patterns in grammar, writing systems, sounds, numeral systems, or other areas of language.
The first round of DOL 2026 will take place online from 12 January to 1 February 2026. Eligible to participate are students who are enrolled at a school in Germany, are at least 14 years old, and have not yet reached the age of 20 on the first day of the International Linguistics Olympiad (26 July 2026). Participation is free of charge.
The best participants of the second round will be invited to the final round, including training, in Berlin. Particularly successful participants qualify for the International Linguistics Olympiad (IOL), which will take place from 26 July to 2 August 2026 in Bucharest (Romania).
Information on registration: linguistikolympiade.de/anmeldung-zur-dol-2026
Information on the procedure and participation requirements: www.leibniz-zas.de/de/service-transfer/linguistik-olympiade/auswahlverfahren