Jan Blommaert

Dag Jan,
we hebben enorm veel van je mogen leren, dank je wel.
Dag goede vriend. 

Jan was een ontzettend inspirerende collega die prachtig college kon geven en provocatieve lezingen. Het was een eer om op hetzelfde departement te mogen werken. Ik wens zijn nabestaanden heel veel sterkte met dit grote verlies. 

Dag Jan, we werkten vlak bij elkaar - zelfde gebouw, zelfde verdieping. De paar keer dat we spraken waren aangenaam en interessant. Sterkte voor je getrouwen 

Knowing Jan was a privilege. He was inspiring and made knowledge so available and accessible; my sociolinguistics guide!I am still honoured that he read and commented on my PhD work, as a friend and as a scholar. He was never tired to take on new challenges; so young to go... RIP. 

Jan, besides being a great and inspiring intellectual, was also a kind, empathetic person. You will live in our memories not only through your works.
Sit tibi terra levis. 

We zullen Jan in Tilburg vreselijk gaan missen; zijn inspirerende betogen, zijn belangrijke opvattingen en zijn politieke scherpzinnigheid. Maar daarnaast ook zijn vrolijke en vriendelijke aanwezigheid in de gangen van ons departement.
Jan, we hebben veel van je geleerd. Je hebt een bepalende invloed gehad op het Online Culture-profiel van de Tilburgse Cultuurwetenschappen en we zullen er alles aan doen om je naam in ere te houden. 

I have been following Jan's research and writing since the 1990s, but only met him in person over the last decade through our collaboration with the Max Planck centre at Gottingen. A truly original scholar with much to contribute to our understand of the contemporary world in Africa and Europe, and a delightful companion at scholarly events. Much missed. 

Jan was an inspiring supervisor, a wonderful colleague and dearest friend. It is so heartbreaking to learn that he is no longer around. May your soul find rest. 

The opportunity to be a student of Jan is one of the luckiest things in my life.
Jan is an excellent scholar, a respectable teacher, and a kind elder. I am very grateful for everything he has brought us.
His knowledge makes me admire. It seems that he can explain all the obscure knowledge in a few sentences.
We will always miss you. 

Jan was a brilliant, stimulating intellectual with admirable human qualities. He left too soon. He still had so much to teach us. Rest in peace my friend ! You will never be forgotten ! 

Alongside the tributes to his enormous creativity and accomplishments and to his kindness, humour and friendship, may I acknowledge my gratitude for his encouragement and company over the years in various parts of Europe and in South Africa where his brilliant contributions and dedication were also so much appreciated. Irreplaceable indeed.
David 

What a lovely man. So honest with himself and with others. He was an original thinker and a good colleague. It is a great sadness to accept that he is no longer with us. 

I am deeply saddened by the news that Jan Blommaert has passed away young. I met him in the early 1990s when I was doing my PhD at the University of Amsterdam and, hearing about my research, he was so kind to invite me to give a presentation for his research team at Gent University. Since then we have met many times round the world and here in China. He contributed to my journal, participated in my conference, collaborated on teaching...he was always there when needed...He will be remembered dearly. Shi-xu 

Jan, je was in alle opzichten een bijzonder persoon, een bijzondere collega, een bijzonder docent, een bijzondere wetenschapper. Je hebt - zoals bij zovelen - ook bij mij een grote indruk achtergelaten. Ik ben blij dat ik met je heb mogen samenwerken. 

Hi Jan,

It's been a long time since our last chat.
I still remember those witty comments and avuncular advice from you. Though not always agree with you, I was always deeply inspired by you. Those shining moments will be lasting in my life.

It's my privilege to be your student. And I believe what you shared and taught to students will continue to shine.

Well, it's time to say goodbye.
Thank you, Jan.
Farewell. 

As a person, Jan was generous and humorous, and respected others from the bottom of his heart.

As a supervisor and teacher, he willingly spent time for his students, stimulated them with tolerance and trust, and installed confidence in them.

As a scholar, he was erudite and incisive, and aimed to make contribution to greater equality in society through his academic work.

It's my privilege to study with Jan, and to carry on his legacy. 

Jan has made a lasting mark in my life: intellectually, as I learned so many things from him -- concepts, cases and ways of thinking -- and socially, as interacting with him, in any context, was always an experience of joy. 

斯人已逝
精神永存
未竟之事
自有后人
这是最后的斗争
团结起来到明天
英特纳雄耐尔
就一定要实现 

Au revoir, Jan. What a change you made in my academic life. And what a good friend you were. Thank you. May your afterlife be as inspirational as the life you just left behind. Far vel. 

Meer dan tien jaar hebben we in Tilburg samengewerkt, door dik en dun, tot op het laatst. Niet alles is gelukt maar veel ook wel. Je hand is daarin zichtbaar, je stem is gehoord - ze zal blijven klinken.
Bedankt makker.