LINGUIST List 22.3382 Fri Aug 26 2011 All: Obituary: Professor Lewis Mukattash Editor for this issue: Elyssa Winzeler <elyssalinguistlist.org> To post to LINGUIST, use our convenient web form at http://linguistlist.org/LL/posttolinguist.cfm Directory         1.     Wafa abu Hatab , Obituary: Professor Lewis Mukattash Message 1: Obituary: Professor Lewis Mukattash Date: 24-Aug-2011 From: Wafa abu Hatab <wafatabgmail.com> Subject: Obituary: Professor Lewis Mukattash E-mail this message to a friend Professor Lewis Mukattash, 68 from Jordan passed away Thursday July 21, 2011. Professor Lewis, a professor of English and Linguistics, a former chair of the Department of English Language & Literature and former dean of the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of Jordan was also the founder and president of the Association of Professors of English Language, Literature and Translation at Arab Universities (APETAU). Professor Lewis got his Ph D in linguistics from Bangor University in 1973. He published extensively, particularly in syntax and contrastive linguistics in most prestigious journals. He has always been known for his seriousness and dedication to his work, always aiming at perfection. His contributions to the field of Arabic-English contrastive linguistics are widely acknowledged. During his work at the Arab Open University as a vice –rector, professor Lewis contributed to its success both on the local and Arab levels. Professor Mukattash was my first syntax professor and my first advisor and mentor. I remember his first words as he started the syntax course: 'What matters is not to memorize the rules, what matters is to THINK about them.' He kept encouraging students to think, discuss and ask questions. Later, he taught me other linguistic courses in the MA program. I remember his words to my father before the defense of my MA thesis: Do not worry about her, I know my students. I came to discover another aspect of Professor Mukattash's personality when he encouraged me to join APEATU and later to be elected as its secretary from 2006-2011. During this time, Professor Mukattash taught me a lot. He was the most active member, doing most of the work, never complaining, preparing for APETAU conferences, chairing the organizing committee, and taking care of every single detail. He was a model to follow in organization, dedication, and seriousness. I am indebted to him for all that he taught me as a student and as a secretary of the association, let alone his wisdom capsules that he used to share with me and other members of APEATU board. Those among us who were honored to have been associated with Professor Mukattash forever remember him as a man of tremendous humility, a sincere and careful listener, and a creative thinker. He was a keen scholar, a superb teacher and mentor, and a generous friend. He will be dearly missed by his many students, colleagues, and friends. If you want to contribute pictures, thoughts, etc, for a memorial page that will be created later for Professor Lewis , please write to apetauyahoo.com. Wafa abu Hatab Associate professor of contrastive linguistics and translation Department of English Language and Literature Zarqa University Jordan Linguistic Field(s): Language Acquisition Read more issues|LINGUIST home page|Top of issue Page Updated: 26-Aug-2011       About LINGUIST    |   Contact Us       While the LINGUIST List makes every effort to ensure the linguistic relevance of sites listed on its pages, it cannot vouch for their contents.