The Richard and Jeannette Allsopp Centre for Caribbean Lexicography, in conjunction with the Department of Language, Linguistics and Literature held the tenth Richard Allsopp Memorial Lecture on March 14, 2025 in the Cynthia Wilson Arts Lecture Theatre at The University of the West Indies (The UWI), Cave Hill Campus.

Celebrated as a significant milestone honouring the legacy and contributions of Professor Richard Allsopp, this year’s lecture was delivered by Professor Cristiano Furiassi, Associate Professor in Linguistics at the University of Turin, Italy.

Under the topic, Richard Allsopp’s ‘Amateur’ Sources: Reviving Barbadian Folklore, Professor Furiassi presented on the contribution of information from non-professional or ‘amateur’ lexicographers contained within Richard Allsopp’s publications – the Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage (DCEU), the New Register of Caribbean English Usage (NRCEU) and A Book of Afric Caribbean Proverbs (BACP) while focusing mainly on Barbadian English and Bajan.

Professor Furiassi further highlighted examples of Barbadian toponymic, i.e., placename-based, idioms extracted from the above-mentioned sources. Two examples being “Dis Place Hot as Mapp’s Millyard” and “He Gine Promise You Drax Hall and Kendal” which reference former sugar-cane plantations – Mapp’s, Drax Hall, and Kendal – from Barbados’ colonial past. He also expanded on how ‘amateur’ endeavors may continue to shed new light on territorial lexis and phraseology, thus attesting to their role in reviving local folklore by ensuring that Barbadian lore remains available to future generations.

The lecture was held as a hybrid event, bringing together members of the university community, Allsopp family members, and specially invited guests. Approximately 70 guests attended the event, including the Acting President of Barbados, His Excellency the Very Reverend Dr Jeffrey Gibson, and his wife, who graced the occasion with their presence.