Department of Modern English Language and Linguistics
Professor Deepak Kumar Singh was a distinguished scholar of English grammar whose research made important contributions to the study of grammatical variation, syntactic change and the relationship between grammatical form and communicative function.
Following appointments at several British universities, he joined Bede University as Professor of English Grammar, where he played a central role in developing the department's teaching and research in descriptive linguistics. During his time at Bede, he supervised numerous doctoral students and was particularly committed to supporting early-career researchers.
Professor Singh's research combined close attention to grammatical detail with a broader interest in language use, particularly the changing grammatical conventions of contemporary English. His later work explored the implications of electronic communication for grammatical description, including collaborative research with Professor Teddy Wiley on emerging forms of digital discourse.
Widely respected for his scholarship, generosity and unfailing encouragement of colleagues, Professor Singh remained associated with the department following his departure from Bede.
The department was deeply saddened to learn of his recent death. He is remembered with great affection by former colleagues and students.
Publications
- Singh, D. K. (1989) The Structure of the English Verb Phrase: Form, Function and Variation. Northbridge Academic Press.
- Singh, D. K. (1992) Grammatical gradience and the classification of English auxiliary verbs. Journal of English Grammatical Studies 8(2): 113–142.
- Singh, D. K. (1995) Aspectual distinctions in contemporary British English: A corpus-based investigation. English Grammar and Usage 12(1): 27–59.
- Singh, D. K. (1997) Grammatical Variation in Modern English. Westbridge University Press.
- Singh, D. K. and Matthews, R. (1999) The progressive construction in spoken British English: Distribution, function and variation. Studies in English Grammar 16(3): 201–235.
- Singh, D. K. (2001) The changing functions of modal auxiliaries in late twentieth-century English. Journal of Grammatical Variation 5(2): 89–121.
- Singh, D. K. and Wiley, T. (2003) Grammatical innovation in electronic mail: A comparison of academic and informal correspondence. Language and Electronic Communication 2(1): 15–43.
- Singh, D. K. and Wiley, T. (2005) Beyond the sentence: Grammatical ellipsis and interpersonal meaning in online discussion forums. Journal of Digital Language Studies 4(2): 77–108.
- Singh, D. K. (2007) English Grammar in Context: Structures, Functions and Change. Northbridge Academic Press.
- Singh, D. K. and Wiley, T. (2008) Grammar in transition? Emerging conventions in computer-mediated student communication. International Review of Language and Technology 6(3): 181–209.
- Singh, D. K. (2010) Reconsidering the relationship between grammatical correctness and communicative effectiveness. English Grammar and Usage 27(2): 143–176.
- Singh, D. K. (2013) The Changing Grammar of English: Continuity and Innovation. Westbridge University Press.
- Singh, D. K. (2016) Grammatical description in an age of linguistic diversity. Journal of English Grammatical Studies 32(1): 1–28.
- Singh, D. K. (2019) Fifty years of English grammatical description: Some unresolved questions. Studies in English Grammar 36(2): 95–127.
In memoriam
Book of Condolences
Colleagues and friends remember Emeritus Professor Deepak Kumar Singh and his contribution to the Bede University community.
Deepak will be missed. We should remember him with affection, while also recognising that admiration for an individual need not prevent us from acknowledging the more problematic aspects of their legacy.
Professor Cathy Grimm-Blaze
Absolutely heartbroken to hear this devastating news. Deepak was such a lovely, lovely man. Sending enormous hugs to everyone who knew him, especially his family. Sooky and Honey are sending their love too. ❤️❤️❤️🐾🐾🌈
Dr Bella Marley
Deepak was a wonderful colleague and a great supporter of the arts. He was one of the first people at Bede to recognise my potential as a scholar, and I remember how thrilled he was when my first monograph was published. He attended the launch, of course, and I still have a photograph of us together, with him holding a copy of the book. When I was appointed Professor he insisted on taking me out to lunch to celebrate. I even interviewed him for my Podcast, Shakespeare and Me, although unfortunately, due to technical problems, the recording was not usable.
Professor Neil Flyte
While Deepak and I occasionally differed on questions of historical materialism, I always respected his willingness to engage with my Marxist Analysis of Discourse framework. His passing reminds us of the urgent need to confront the material conditions under which academic labour is performed.
Professor Hugo Banning
One of the few people in this bloody craven place who knew what he was talking about. A terrible loss.
Professor Malcolm Dankworth
Deepak changed my life. When I had almost given up hope of pursuing a PhD, he found the funding that made it possible. He believed in me at a time when I had very little belief in myself. Everything I have achieved since then began with that act of generosity. I wish I had told him more often how much it meant to me.
Professor Theodore Wiley
Very sad to hear about Deepak. He was a really nice bloke. I remember once he came into my office and spent about twenty minutes looking at the Lego Death Star I was building. He seemed genuinely interested and asked lots of questions, although looking back I think he might have been trying to tell me something about my teaching hours. Anyway, I've nearly finished it now and it is a pity because I think he would have liked to see it. RIP Deepak.
Dr Kevin Ollerenshaw
Such sad news about Professor Singh. He was a proper professor, not like some of them you get nowadays who have a big earring shaped like a triangle and blue hair and what have you. He once said that I had a remarkable ability to get through life without being troubled by complicated thoughts. A lovely compliment.
Deidre Pook
C'est avec une immense tristesse que j'ai appris la disparition de notre cher Deepak. Un homme charmant, un esprit brillant, même si, il faut bien l'avouer, l'élégance vestimentaire n'était pas son point fort. Je me souviens lui avoir suggéré un jour, avec toute la délicatesse dont je suis capable, de se séparer d'une veste marron particulièrement malheureuse, achetée, je crois, chez Marks & Spencer. Quelle ne fut pas ma surprise de découvrir qu'il en possédait trois absolument identiques ! Et toujours avec ces horribles trainers et un fleece qui avait certainement connu des jours meilleurs. Mais c'était tout Deepak. Un homme qui ne se souciait guère des apparences, ce qui, dans un certain sens, est une qualité admirable. Il nous manquera beaucoup. Repose en paix, mon cher Deepak.
Professor Giselle Fontaine