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Jan Blommaert obituary
Jan Blommaert’s work was marked by a close focus on how people actually use language. Photograph: Diggit
Jan Blommaert’s work was marked by a close focus on how people actually use language. Photograph: Diggit
PhilipSeargeant
Mon 8 Feb 2021 14.31 EST
Last modified on Mon 8 Feb 2021 14.33 EST
My former supervisor and colleague, Professor Jan Blommaert, who has died aged 59 of cancer, was one of the leading scholars in contemporary sociolinguistics. His work illuminated the vitally important relationship that language plays in all aspects of politics and culture. He combined an influential academic career with a role as public intellectual and was committed throughout his life to ideals of justice, equality and universal human rights.