Dr. Barbara Pritchard Harris Remembered
Dr Barbara Pritchard Harris, a long-time Graduate Advisor, the first woman professor in the University of Victoria Department of Linguistics, and the first woman Department Chair, died April 4, 2014. We express our deep condolences to her family and friends.
Dr Harris was a lover of words. This interest in language fuelled her study of linguistics, as she earned an MA and PhD from UVic. Canadian English was the subject of her doctoral dissertation, “Selected political, cultural, and socio-economic areas of Canadian history as contributors to the vocabulary of Canadian English” (1975). She immensely enjoyed being a lexicographer for the Gage Canadian Dictionary and also contributed significantly to study of Chinuk Wawa (Chinook Jargon).
Barbara shared her love of linguistics with many students at UVic as both a teacher and graduate supervisor. Her enthusiasm for spying and detection meant that she even taught a third-year grammar course as a detective story. Barbara was a kind mentor and supporter of her colleagues.
A memorial service will be held at the Interfaith Chapel, UVic, at 10:30 am on May 23, followed by a reception at the University Club. All are welcome.
[This notice was provided by Barbara's step-daughter Barbara Doyle and added to by colleague Leslie Saxon.]