1946 born on the 19th of June, Utrecht, The Netherlands;
1963-69 studied mathematics, economics and linguistics at the
University of Amsterdam;
1967 (June) B.A. Slavic linguistics and literatures, University of
Amsterdam;
1967 (December) B.A. mathematics and economics, University of
Amsterdam;
1969 (June) M.A. Slavic linguistics, University of Amsterdam;
1970 (December) M.A. mathematical economics, University of Amsterdam;
1972 (May) Ph.D. mathematical linguistics, University of Amsterdam.
1968-69 research assistant of development economics, University of
Amsterdam;
1969-72 assistant professor of Slavic linguistics, University of
Amsterdam;
1972-74 associate professor of Baltic and Slavic linguistics,
University of Leiden;
1974- Professor of Baltic and Slavic linguistics, University of Leiden;
1985- also: Professor of descriptive and comparative linguistics,
University of Leiden;
1986- Member of the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences;
1997 Laureate of the Spinoza
Prize;
2006 Festschrift: Evidence and counter-evidence (Studies in Slavic and General Linguistics 32 & 33).