32.2467, All: Obituary for Joanna Błaszczak, Part Two

[The LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List: Vol-32-2467. Mon Jul 26 2021. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 32.2467, All:  Obituary for Joanna Błaszczak, Part Two

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Date: Mon, 26 Jul 2021 03:36:07
From: Małgorzata Cavar [linguist at linguistlist.org]
Subject: Obituary for Joanna Błaszczak, Part Two

 
The Institute of English Studies at the University of Wrocław is very sad to
announce the passing of our dear friend and colleague Professor Joanna
Błaszczak. In memory of Joanna, The LINGUIST List will be circulating a short
series of memories and condolences, of which this is second.

Her dedication to research, her amazing knowledge, determination, charisma
will remain an inspiration to her colleagues, students and friends. She will
be sorely missed by many.

Joanna’s website is available here: 
http://www.ifa.uni.wroc.pl/instytut/pracownicy/20/?lang=pl

Memories and condolences can be shared via
https://www.remembr.com/joanna.blaszczak

A colloquium in memory of Prof. Błaszczak will be organized by colleagues at
the University of Wroclaw, Zentrum für Allgemeine Sprachwissenschaft, Berlin
and the University of Potsdam. More information will be available soon.

Marzena Zygis:

It is 30 years since I first met Joanna during our studies on linguistics at
Humboldt University in Berlin in 1991. Our friendship developed slowly but
inexorably. We prepared together for our final MA exams and were accepted into
a PhD programme, where we spent three years studying linguistics and
supporting each other. Joanna specialized more in syntax and I in
phonology/phonetics, but this complementary distribution was an enrichment
rather than a burden.

Some years later we decided to collaborate on linguistic issues, which gave us
some opportunity to spend time together. This resulted in joint projects: one
on attitudes in the German-Polish context (2019-20, DAAD) and another, more
recent one on ''Grammatical tinnitus'' (2020-23, DPWS). Right up to the end,
Joanna participated in weekly project meetings, contributing with her huge
knowledge and experience. 
She will remain in my memory as a very reliable, responsible and hardworking
person who did a lot for linguistics in general and for Polish syntax in
particular. In February 2021, she was conferred the presidential professorship
by the President of Poland after a detailed evaluation process. When she
shared this information with me, her voice sounded so happy (for a time), with
just a touch of pride, something that was really unique for this otherwise
very humble person. Sharing this happiness with her, I told her that she
really deserved it and I could not imagine it any other way.

Joanna was always very friendly and tolerant. If she got angry, she did not
name any names and kept everything anonymous. Also, her modesty, which
revealed itself in so many situations, was striking. She also laughed a lot
and was first to help solve problems. She was able to devote her time and put
in so much effort to surprise and please others. 
Joanna, I will miss you terribly!
 


Linguistic Field(s): Not Applicable



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