Institute of Translation Studies · Faculty of Arts, Charles University
On June 18, 2026, the leadership of the Faculty of Arts, Charles University (FF UK) announced its intention to close the Institute of Translation Studies (ÚTRL) effective from January 1, 2027. Some of our employees are to be transferred to four language departments, and the translation studies programs will gradually be converted into specialisations within the philological studies programs. We, the staff of ÚTRL, consider this decision to be extremely ill-conceived, and the way in which it was communicated to us without any warning whatsoever to be highly irregular.
The Institute of Translation Studies has a long history (in 2023 it celebrated the sixtieth anniversary of its founding), a unique position within the Czech Republic and important international ties. Translation and interpreting are disciplines of great significance in all areas of human activity: in international institutions, in political and diplomatic contexts (including the armed forces), in public administration and the judiciary, in healthcare, education, culture, and in the business world. Literary translation is an exceptional field in its own right — a skill that requires not only talent but also a strong foundation of linguistic craftsmanship. At a time when we are seeing a massive growth in the use of artificial intelligence, experienced translators are needed more than ever to detect and correct AI’s errors and excesses. Human translators and interpreters are irreplaceable in many aspects of life, and while it is unlikely that anyone would die from a misprint, someone could very well die as a result of a poorly translated instruction manual for electrical equipment, not to mention the potential misunderstandings and fatal consequences that could result from inaccurate interpreting.
Professional interpretation and translation in all the fields mentioned require intensive and focused specialised preparation. We can provide our students with these skills thanks to the fact that translation studies are our exclusive focus, that we carefully monitor all current developments in the field, and that we have professional and institutional ties across the world. Research is also profoundly important, which is why the significance of translation studies is continuing to grow now in this age of algorithms.
The Institute of Translation Studies is more than just a collection of individual language departments (translation and interpreting are taught here in English, French, German, Spanish, and Russian, always in conjunction with Czech). It also enjoys a specific synergy thanks to the number of courses common to all languages. Also essential is the emphasis on the cultivation of the Czech language, which is taught here as part of a common foundation, whereas this is sorely lacking in foreign language programs. No other institution teaches Czech in conjunction with foreign languages with such a significant impact on professional practice. Breaking up ÚTRL into four parts and incorporating translation studies into programs with entirely different aims will inevitably lead to the loss of this unique synergy and the gradual decline and even disappearance of our field.
The Institute of Translation Studies at the Faculty of Arts, Charles University, has always been — and continues to be — home to a number of prominent figures who have been recognized both abroad and in the Czech Republic (our lecturers are recipients of French state honours, the Magnesia Litera Prize, Jungmann Prizes and other creative awards, the Golden Ribbon, State Translation Awards, etc.; they are accredited interpreters for EU institutions, television programs, festivals and many other activities and events). Our students regularly participate in translation competitions, and our graduates work as translators and interpreters for European institutions, as well as thriving in both domestic and international job markets, and in the fields of culture and politics.
We are fully aware of the current unforgiving economic climate (even though it appears that economic indicators are not the primary factors in the case of the proposed break-up of ÚTRL), and we are ready to work on the internal restructuring of ÚTRL to strengthen our workplace in this respect.
We strongly protest the closure of the Institute of Translation Studies at FF UK and would like to ask the public for their support. We would be grateful if you could sign our petition. We also hope that a solution can be found which will take into account the specific nature of the Institute of Translation Studies and enable its further development now and in the future.
The petition itself is hosted on a Czech platform, so the sign-up form you'll see after clicking “Sign the Petition” is in Czech. Here's what each field means:
Near the end of the form you'll also find a short consent section:
After submitting the form, you may receive a confirmation e-mail from the petition platform — please open it to confirm your signature.
On behalf of the staff of ÚTRL, FF UK:
If you would like to express specific words of support to us, please also copy them to the faculty leadership and the academic senate:
Institute of Translation Studies
Faculty of Arts, Charles University
Hybernská 1036/3
110 00 Prague 1
Comments on the Petition
The petition to save the Institute of Translation Studies is accompanied by hundreds of personal messages from its signatories. Here are just a few of them.
“Our colleagues at the Institute of Translation Studies, Faculty of Arts, Charles University, do and outstanding job of researching and teaching translation and spearhead solid science and education at an all-European level. Their heritage and excellence should not be impeded by closing this superb Institute.”
Simon von Kleist · Warszawa, translation teacher and professional translator
“Is it possible that the authorities of the Charles University would have so few language skills, as to rely on AI tools for the future communications of their own country with the rest of the world, and get rid of such an invaluable institute? Or do they have instructions from ‘above’?”
David le Roux · lecturer in translation, Rennes
“I have worked for many years in European contexts with colleagues from Charles University and have admired their skill and commitment to research and teaching in the field. The academic discipline of Translation Studies is becoming more, not less, important in this age of AI, and to propose closure of such a prestigious institution now is not just an act of vandalism, it is foolishly short sighted. Where will the Czech Republic find its future international mediators? Where will future generations of its talented linguists be trained for the vital intercultural work that they should be performing? Charles University has for many years played a leading role in the Directorate General for Translation of the European Commission, and gained great respect and prestige by doing so. This is not the moment to throw away those achievements, but rather to build on them for the future.”
Andrew Rothwell · Professor Emeritus of French and Translation Studies, Swansea
“I fully agree with the open letter by the Institute of Translation Studies, Faculty of Arts, Charles University. Human translators and interpreters cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence, we need human translators and interpreters more than ever, so closing the department would be a big loss for future students and also for the country.”
Adriana Mezeg · university professor, Ljubljana
“I sign this petition because in the AI era, human translation is a key player in safeguarding reliable and non-biased multilingual content. The existence of independent master and PhD programmes in translation is more than ever relevant, especially for languages of lesser diffusion.”
Hendrik J. Kockaert · Antwerpen, Professor
“The Translation program at Charles University has played a leading role in Translation Studies in Europe. More than ever, translation is key to creating tolerance and understanding among people in this multilingual world. This key program must be retained.”
Agnes Whitfield · Professor, Toronto