Linguistics, for me, is more than an academic discipline; it is a lens through which I can understand and appreciate the complexities of human language and communication. It merges my interests in computation, language, and culture, providing a holistic perspective on how we convey and interpret meaning.

My journey into the fascinating world of linguistics began with an exam that opened up a universe of possibilities: the National Panini Linguistics Olympiad (PLO). It was my first step into a field that combines computational thinking with my existing knowledge of languages. Motivated by this intriguing blend, I decided to take the exam and emerged as one of the top 25 students in the country. 

This achievement led to an invitation to IIIT Hyderabad, the premier institute in India offering a specialized course in linguistics. During the intensive ten-day camp at IIIT Hyderabad, I was immersed in the diverse and intricate world of linguistics. We delved into a range of fundamental topics that are part of the institute’s linguistic program, including: Syntax, Morphology, Large Language Models, Semantics, Phonetics, Phonology, Sociolinguistics, Psycholinguistics, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Typology and Computational Linguistics. The curriculum was delivered by esteemed experts in the field. This immersive experience not only deepened my knowledge of linguistics but also reinforced my passion for exploring the structural and functional aspects of language. 

You can read the Audit I have prepared for this camp (overview of IIITH’s CLD – Computational Linguistics Dual Degree course.) here: