On Monday April 28th, the Department threw a surprise retirement party for Doug Pulleyblank, who will be retiring in June 2025 after 34 years as a UBC Linguistics faculty member.
Anne-Marie, Kathleen, Doug, Diana and Samuel
In addition to surprise guest appearances including Diane Archangeli, and many friends, former students, colleagues and family members, it also served as the official reveal of a surprise festschrift and website for Doug, affectionately titled Dougschrift! The site includes 20+ squibs, puzzles and studies in Doug’s honour, as well as a slew of Appreciations with reminiscences and congratulations from linguists, friends and family world-wide, and a biographical sketch of Doug’s remarkable life and career.
The caption, in Yoruba, refers to one who knows languages better than the speakers themselves.
Thanks to the whole team who built the website, arranged the party, co-wrote the biography, and miraculously kept the surprise a secret over months of planning – including Kathleen Currie Hall, Gunnar Hansson, Anne-Mare Comte, Diana Archangeli, Larry Hyman, Carla Hudson Kam and Anne-Michelle Tessier.
Félicitations, Doug! We know we have not seen the last of you.
