Pit Corder - Blue Plaque Unveiling

Pit Corder was a professor of applied linguistics and the first Chair of BAAL (1967-70). Best known for his contribution to the study of error analysis, he was instrumental in the development of applied linguistics as a practical and academic discipline in the United Kingdom.

Pit Corder was born at 4 Bootham Terrace in York, into a Quaker family. He was educated at Bootham School, where his father was a teacher. He read modern languages at Oxford University (1936-39), and served in Finland and Egypt in the Friends’ Ambulance Unit in World War II. After the war, Corder worked for the British Council in Austria, Turkey, Jamaica and Colombia, and then for the University of Edinburgh as Professor and Director of the School of Applied Linguistics. The award of a blue plaque, in acknowledgement of Corder’s contribution to the discipline of applied linguistics, was proposed by students of the MA Applied Linguistics at York St John University.

On 21st April 2020, York Civic Trust and York St John University will be unveiling a blue plaque in honour of S. Pit Corder (1918-1990), Professor of Applied Linguistics and first Chair of BAAL, at his birthplace in York.

The event, jointly organised by BAAL, York St John University and York Civic Trust, will be held on April 21st . The blue plaque will be unveiled by Dr Dawn Knight, the current Chair of BAAL, at 10.00 at 4 Bootham Terrace, York. The unveiling will be followed by refreshments at York St John University, speeches, and lunch.

Schedule:

10.00 – Unveiling of Pit Corder blue plaque at 4 Bootham Terrace with speeches from York Civic Trust and Dawn Knight (Chair of BAAL)

10.30 – Arrival refreshments (De Grey Foyer)

11.00 – Event starts (De Grey Lecture Theatre)

12.30 – Lunch (De Grey Foyer)

Invited speakers include:

Professor Karen Bryan, Vice Chancellor, York St John University

Students of applied linguistics at York St John, involved in the ‘blue plaque project’

Rosamond Mitchell, Emeritus Professor of Applied Linguistics, University of Southampton

Dr Dawn Knight, Chair of BAAL, Cardiff University

Christopher J. Hall, Professor of Applied Linguistics, York St John University

There is no charge to attend the event, but places are limited so please book in advance.

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