Big Mongo
2025-01-06 21:54:53 UTC
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PermalinkRobert Bayley (1943–2024)
The linguistics community honors the life and work of Robert “Bob” Bayley,
who passed away on December 27, 2024. As Professor Emeritus of Linguistics
at the University of California, Davis, a former president and longtime
member of the American Dialect Society, and contributor to its journal
American Speech, Bob left a legacy that shaped the study of language
variation and socialization.
Bob’s academic journey began with a focus on medieval studies. After
completing his undergraduate degree at Columbia University, he pursued an
M.A. at the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied Old
English, Old Norse, and medieval Latin. He later transitioned to
sociolinguistics during his time teaching at Merritt College in Oakland.
The college’s community and the emerging work on African American English
sparked his interest in language variation. His academic path eventually
led him to Stanford University, where he earned a Ph.D. that united his
interests in sociolinguistics and second language acquisition.
Bob’s work examined language variation, second language learning, and
language use across different communities. His research extended across
English, Spanish, Chinese, and American Sign Language (ASL). He explored
how bilingual and second language speakers acquire and use patterns of
variation in their speech. His published works included over 150 articles
and chapters, as well as co-authored and co-edited books such as Language
as Cultural Practice: Mexicanos en el Norte (2002, with Sandra Schecter)
and The Oxford Handbook of Sociolinguistics (2013, with Ceil Lucas and
Richard Cameron).
Bob was deeply involved in the study of sociolinguistic competence in
second and heritage language speakers. He conducted studies that
highlighted patterns in language use across diverse linguistic and
cultural contexts. He also contributed to documenting Black American Sign
Language and its history. The recognition he received for this work
included the Linguistics, Language, and the Public Award from the
Linguistic Society of America in 2022.
Teaching formed a central part of Bob’s career. At UC Davis, he introduced
many students to the field of sociolinguistics. He often spoke about the
satisfaction he found in helping others discover the subject. “It’s
exciting to introduce students to a field that means so much to me,” he
once reflected. His students and colleagues valued his mentorship and his
ability to inspire deep interest in linguistics.
Beyond his academic life, Bob had many interests. He was a lifelong fan of
jazz and classical music. He also enjoyed attending his grandsons’ Little
League games and treasured time spent with his family.
Over his career, Bob received many honors, including the Mentoring Award
from the Linguistic Society of America in 2023 and fellowships from the
American Dialect Society and the Linguistic Society of America. His many
awards and achievements show his continuing influence on the field and his
dedication to advancing knowledge about language and society.
Bob Bayley’s work will no doubt continue to guide and inform linguistics.
His contributions to understanding how language varies and changes within
and across communities leave an enduring impact. Friends, students, and
colleagues will remember his thoughtful approach, his passion for the
subject, and the generosity he showed throughout his career.
Remembrances and tributes will be shared at the 2025 ADS conference in
Philadelphia. You can also see and hear Bob talk about his life and career
in his own words in this video (https://www.facebook.com/LSA2019/videos/
2204625579656883/) from 2019.