ISSN 2011-799X
Received: 2023-10-11
Accepted: 2024-01-23
doi: 10.17533/udea.mut.v17n1a04Interaction and Cooperation Between Professional
Associations and Academia in the Czech Republic:
The Case of the Union of Interpreters and Translators
Vanda Obdržálková
vanda.obdrzalkova@ff.cuni.cz
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5238-5876
Filozofická fakulta Univerzity Karlovy, Prague, Czech Republic
Abstract
This paper seeks to answer the question whether and how professional associations help students
and young translators develop the competences required in the translation market, and how they
interact with the academic community. It specifically focuses on the Czech Union of Interpreters and
Translators, which brings together interpreters and translators of all specialisations. It summarises
the Union’s aims, mission, and activities, with a particular focus on translation and interpretation
trainees and young professionals—the annual conference for young translators and interpreters and
the Master’s and Bachelor’s Thesis Awards. Based on data collected from the Union’s website and ar-
chives, the content of these two events was analysed to see how the Union interacts with the academic
world, what topics are prioritised, and to what extent and how the two events complement university
education and reflect the Union’s mission. The results reveal how professional organisations can sup-
port interaction between translation and interpreting students/recent graduates and the professional
sphere and how the activities of these organisations can be useful in translator training.
Keywords: translation and interpreting training, professional associations, praxeology, history of
translation, specialised translation, translator competence
Interacción y cooperación entre asociaciones profesionales y el mundo
académico en la República Checa: el caso de la Unión de Intérpretes
y Traductores
Resumen
Este artículo busca responder a la pregunta sobre si las asociaciones profesionales ayudan a estudian-
tes y traductores noveles a desarrollar las competencias requeridas por el mercado de la traducción y
cómo interactúan con la comunidad académica. El estudio se concentra específicamente en la Unión
de Intérpretes y Traductores de la República Checa, la cual agrupa a intérpretes y traductores de
todas las especialidades. El artículo resume sus objetivos, misión y actividades, prestando especial
atención a las iniciativas dirigidas a los estudiantes de traducción e interpretación y a los recién gra-
duados: la conferencia anual para jóvenes traductores e intérpretes y los premios para las mejores te-
sis de pregrado y magíster. A partir de la información recogida en las páginas web y los archivos de la
Unión, se analizan los datos sobre el contenido de la conferencia y sobre el certamen para evaluar su
Received: 2023-10-11
Accepted: 2024-01-23
doi: 10.17533/udea.mut.v17n1a04Interaction and Cooperation Between Professional
Associations and Academia in the Czech Republic:
The Case of the Union of Interpreters and Translators
Vanda Obdržálková
vanda.obdrzalkova@ff.cuni.cz
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5238-5876
Filozofická fakulta Univerzity Karlovy, Prague, Czech Republic
Abstract
This paper seeks to answer the question whether and how professional associations help students
and young translators develop the competences required in the translation market, and how they
interact with the academic community. It specifically focuses on the Czech Union of Interpreters and
Translators, which brings together interpreters and translators of all specialisations. It summarises
the Union’s aims, mission, and activities, with a particular focus on translation and interpretation
trainees and young professionals—the annual conference for young translators and interpreters and
the Master’s and Bachelor’s Thesis Awards. Based on data collected from the Union’s website and ar-
chives, the content of these two events was analysed to see how the Union interacts with the academic
world, what topics are prioritised, and to what extent and how the two events complement university
education and reflect the Union’s mission. The results reveal how professional organisations can sup-
port interaction between translation and interpreting students/recent graduates and the professional
sphere and how the activities of these organisations can be useful in translator training.
Keywords: translation and interpreting training, professional associations, praxeology, history of
translation, specialised translation, translator competence
Interacción y cooperación entre asociaciones profesionales y el mundo
académico en la República Checa: el caso de la Unión de Intérpretes
y Traductores
Resumen
Este artículo busca responder a la pregunta sobre si las asociaciones profesionales ayudan a estudian-
tes y traductores noveles a desarrollar las competencias requeridas por el mercado de la traducción y
cómo interactúan con la comunidad académica. El estudio se concentra específicamente en la Unión
de Intérpretes y Traductores de la República Checa, la cual agrupa a intérpretes y traductores de
todas las especialidades. El artículo resume sus objetivos, misión y actividades, prestando especial
atención a las iniciativas dirigidas a los estudiantes de traducción e interpretación y a los recién gra-
duados: la conferencia anual para jóvenes traductores e intérpretes y los premios para las mejores te-
sis de pregrado y magíster. A partir de la información recogida en las páginas web y los archivos de la
Unión, se analizan los datos sobre el contenido de la conferencia y sobre el certamen para evaluar su
Vanda Obdržálková72La dimensión profesional en la docencia en traducción e interpretación
interacción y cooperación con el mundo académico, los temas que se priorizan, hasta qué punto y de
qué manera estos eventos complementan la educación universitaria y reflejan la misión de la Unión.
Palabras clave: formación de traductores e intérpretes, asociaciones profesionales, praxeología, his-
toria de la traducción, traducción especializada, competencias del traductor
Interaction et coopération entre les associations professionnelles
et le monde universitaire en République tchèque : le cas de l’Union
des interprètes et des traducteurs
Résumé
Cet article vise à comprendre si les associations professionnelles favorisent le développement des
compétences demandées par le marché de la traduction et comment elles interagissent avec la com-
munauté académique. L’étude se concentre plus particulièrement sur l’Union des interprètes et des
traducteurs de la République tchèque, qui rassemble des interprètes et des traducteurs de toutes les
spécialités. L’article résume ses objectifs, sa mission et ses activités, en accordant une attention par-
ticulière aux initiatives destinées aux étudiants en traduction et en interprétation et aux jeunes diplô-
més : la conférence annuelle pour les jeunes traducteurs et interprètes et les prix récompensant les
meilleurs mémoires de licence et de maîtrise. Sur la base d’informations recueillies sur les sites web
et dans les archives de l’Union, les données relatives au contenu de la conférence et du concours sont
analysées afin d’évaluer leur interaction et leur coopération avec le monde universitaire, les thèmes
qui sont privilégiés, dans quelle mesure et de quelle manière ces événements complètent l’enseigne-
ment universitaire et reflètent la mission de l’Union.
Mots clés : formations des traducteurs et des interprètes, associations professionnelles, praxéologie,
histoire de la traduction, traduction spécialisée, compétences du traducteur
interacción y cooperación con el mundo académico, los temas que se priorizan, hasta qué punto y de
qué manera estos eventos complementan la educación universitaria y reflejan la misión de la Unión.
Palabras clave: formación de traductores e intérpretes, asociaciones profesionales, praxeología, his-
toria de la traducción, traducción especializada, competencias del traductor
Interaction et coopération entre les associations professionnelles
et le monde universitaire en République tchèque : le cas de l’Union
des interprètes et des traducteurs
Résumé
Cet article vise à comprendre si les associations professionnelles favorisent le développement des
compétences demandées par le marché de la traduction et comment elles interagissent avec la com-
munauté académique. L’étude se concentre plus particulièrement sur l’Union des interprètes et des
traducteurs de la République tchèque, qui rassemble des interprètes et des traducteurs de toutes les
spécialités. L’article résume ses objectifs, sa mission et ses activités, en accordant une attention par-
ticulière aux initiatives destinées aux étudiants en traduction et en interprétation et aux jeunes diplô-
més : la conférence annuelle pour les jeunes traducteurs et interprètes et les prix récompensant les
meilleurs mémoires de licence et de maîtrise. Sur la base d’informations recueillies sur les sites web
et dans les archives de l’Union, les données relatives au contenu de la conférence et du concours sont
analysées afin d’évaluer leur interaction et leur coopération avec le monde universitaire, les thèmes
qui sont privilégiés, dans quelle mesure et de quelle manière ces événements complètent l’enseigne-
ment universitaire et reflètent la mission de l’Union.
Mots clés : formations des traducteurs et des interprètes, associations professionnelles, praxéologie,
histoire de la traduction, traduction spécialisée, compétences du traducteur
Interaction and Cooperation Between Professional Associations and Academia
in the Czech Republic: The Case of the Union of Interpreters and Translators73Mutatis Mutandis. Revista Latinoamericana de Traducción Vol. 17, N.°1, 2024, enero-junio,pp.71-88
Introduction
Professional associations that promote the in-
terests of translators and interpreters are impor-
tant in influencing the status and development
of these professions. Their place in translation
studies has been recognised by scholars such
as Antonín Popovič (1975, pp. 239–240), who
defines “praxeology” as one of the branches of
Translation Studies and includes the “history of
translator institutions (organisations and jour-
nals)” among its topics of study, as these insti-
tutions are an important part of the external
social context that influences the work of trans-
lators and the translation process. The role of
translator associations is also taken up by Jiří
Levý in Czech Theories of Translation (Levý &
Honzík, 1996), where he explains how the
first Czech translator organisation, the Trans-
lators’ Association (Sdružení překladatelské),
founded in 1911, helped to ensure the quality
of Czech literary translations by insisting on
certain qualitative criteria.
Munday (2016) mentions how the formation
and activities of national and international as-
sociations of translators and scholars, such as
the Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs
(fit, founded in 1953), have contributed to the
development of translation studies starting in
the 1950s, and especially since the 1980s. Her-
tog (2010) emphasises the role of professional
associations in the professionalisation of com-
munity interpreting, as they are “pre-eminent-
ly placed to try and improve the recognition
and status of ci in society, provide support and
continuous training to their membership and,
on the whole, campaign for the visibility and
quality of ci.” (p. 51). He thus summarises the
main roles attributed to professional organisa-
tions in general.
Another important task and mission of pro-
fessional associations is to formulate and
promote ethical principles in translation and
interpreting, as they are usually the ones who
draft and publish various codes of ethics. Thus,
Van Wyke (2010, p. 112) makes reference to the
“Code of Ethics” by the Association of Trans-
lators and Interpreters of Alberta, the American
Translators Association’s “Code of Profession-
al Conduct”, and to the “Code of Professional
Practice”, published by the Fédération Interna-
tionale des Traducteurs. In the Czech context,
a general code of ethics for both interpreters
and translators forms part of the Statutes of
the Union of Interpreters and Translators (Jed-
nota Tlumočníků a Překladatelů, jtp, 2014),
whose mission and activities will be discussed
further. The codes of ethics for specialised
translators and interpreters are available on the
websites of the Chamber of Court Interpreters
and Translators (n. d.) and the Czech Chamber
of Sign Language Interpreters (n. d.).
There is documented evidence that, upon en-
tering the translation market, young translators
need an ever wider set of skills and competenc-
es, not only in connection with the increasing
demand for the use of technologies and ma-
chine translation processing (cf. pacte, 2020;
Froeliger et al., 2023). It has also been shown
that the community of practicing professionals
can help novice translators develop such com-
petences, thus bridging the gap between train-
ing provided by universities and professional
practice. Olalla-Soler (2019) describes the case
of a mentoring programme of the Professional
Association of Translators and Interpreters of
Catalonia, while Berthaud and Mason (2018)
explore the use of Communities of Practice
to enhance translator training. With regard to
their findings, one question relating research
on translator associations is to what extent
translation associations serve as a platform for
such kind of cooperation and how this cooper-
ation is developed.
Although the importance of professional or-
ganisations is clear, it seems that their history
and specific activities have not been extensively
studied or sufficiently referenced in translation
studies literature, especially in countries using
languages of lesser diffusion. In the chapter of
in the Czech Republic: The Case of the Union of Interpreters and Translators73Mutatis Mutandis. Revista Latinoamericana de Traducción Vol. 17, N.°1, 2024, enero-junio,pp.71-88
Introduction
Professional associations that promote the in-
terests of translators and interpreters are impor-
tant in influencing the status and development
of these professions. Their place in translation
studies has been recognised by scholars such
as Antonín Popovič (1975, pp. 239–240), who
defines “praxeology” as one of the branches of
Translation Studies and includes the “history of
translator institutions (organisations and jour-
nals)” among its topics of study, as these insti-
tutions are an important part of the external
social context that influences the work of trans-
lators and the translation process. The role of
translator associations is also taken up by Jiří
Levý in Czech Theories of Translation (Levý &
Honzík, 1996), where he explains how the
first Czech translator organisation, the Trans-
lators’ Association (Sdružení překladatelské),
founded in 1911, helped to ensure the quality
of Czech literary translations by insisting on
certain qualitative criteria.
Munday (2016) mentions how the formation
and activities of national and international as-
sociations of translators and scholars, such as
the Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs
(fit, founded in 1953), have contributed to the
development of translation studies starting in
the 1950s, and especially since the 1980s. Her-
tog (2010) emphasises the role of professional
associations in the professionalisation of com-
munity interpreting, as they are “pre-eminent-
ly placed to try and improve the recognition
and status of ci in society, provide support and
continuous training to their membership and,
on the whole, campaign for the visibility and
quality of ci.” (p. 51). He thus summarises the
main roles attributed to professional organisa-
tions in general.
Another important task and mission of pro-
fessional associations is to formulate and
promote ethical principles in translation and
interpreting, as they are usually the ones who
draft and publish various codes of ethics. Thus,
Van Wyke (2010, p. 112) makes reference to the
“Code of Ethics” by the Association of Trans-
lators and Interpreters of Alberta, the American
Translators Association’s “Code of Profession-
al Conduct”, and to the “Code of Professional
Practice”, published by the Fédération Interna-
tionale des Traducteurs. In the Czech context,
a general code of ethics for both interpreters
and translators forms part of the Statutes of
the Union of Interpreters and Translators (Jed-
nota Tlumočníků a Překladatelů, jtp, 2014),
whose mission and activities will be discussed
further. The codes of ethics for specialised
translators and interpreters are available on the
websites of the Chamber of Court Interpreters
and Translators (n. d.) and the Czech Chamber
of Sign Language Interpreters (n. d.).
There is documented evidence that, upon en-
tering the translation market, young translators
need an ever wider set of skills and competenc-
es, not only in connection with the increasing
demand for the use of technologies and ma-
chine translation processing (cf. pacte, 2020;
Froeliger et al., 2023). It has also been shown
that the community of practicing professionals
can help novice translators develop such com-
petences, thus bridging the gap between train-
ing provided by universities and professional
practice. Olalla-Soler (2019) describes the case
of a mentoring programme of the Professional
Association of Translators and Interpreters of
Catalonia, while Berthaud and Mason (2018)
explore the use of Communities of Practice
to enhance translator training. With regard to
their findings, one question relating research
on translator associations is to what extent
translation associations serve as a platform for
such kind of cooperation and how this cooper-
ation is developed.
Although the importance of professional or-
ganisations is clear, it seems that their history
and specific activities have not been extensively
studied or sufficiently referenced in translation
studies literature, especially in countries using
languages of lesser diffusion. In the chapter of
Vanda Obdržálková74La dimensión profesional en la docencia en traducción e interpretación
the Routledge Encyclopedia of Translation Studies
devoted to the Czech tradition (Kufnerová &
Osers, 2011, p. 384), there is no mention of
any of the associations of translators and in-
terpreters that have been active in the Czech
Republic since the 1990s.
There is, however, a short paragraph devoted
to “professional organisations and translator
training” in the chapter summarising the histo-
ry of translation in Slovakia, which highlights
the fact that Slovak translators (unlike Czech)
have been represented in the fit uninterrupted-
ly since 1970 (Kufnerová et al., 2011, p. 526).
More recently, the history of Czech transla-
tor associations and their role in shaping the
profession and specifically the field of special-
ised translation has been the topic of study in
several dissertations and master’s theses (cf.
Běloušková Zemanová, 2020; Chmelařová,
2014; Koláříková, 2007).
Pym (2014) provides an overview based on in-
formation collected about 217 selected trans-
lator associations active in the eu countries,
China, Asia, Oceania, Africa and South Amer-
ica. His analysis focuses on the development of
these organisations over time, which, according
to the author, “is in part an index of the way the
translation profession itself has evolved” (Pym,
2014, p. 2).
this paper describes the translator and inter-
preter organisations active in the Czech market
and briefly outlines their history. Then, it gath-
ers information about the activities and events
organised by the Czech Union of Interpreters
and Translators (Jednota Tlumočníků a Překla-
datelů, jtp) that are geared to translation and
interpretation students and novice translators
and interpreters. The objective is to describe
the role of this organisation in the education
of young translators, to see how its activities
complement translator training provided by
universities and how they reflect current trends
in translation and interpreting.
1. Method
This research project was driven by the ques-
tion of whether and how professional asso-
ciations help students and young translators
develop the competences required in the trans-
lation market and how they interact with the
academic community. In order to provide a
more general context, the first part outlines the
history of Czech organisations of translators
and interpreters and describes those current-
ly active in the Czech Republic. This part is
based on Czech translation history literature
(Kufnerová & Osers, 2011; Kufnerová et al.,
2011; Levý & Honzík, 1996; Rubáš, 2012),
the results of previously conducted research
in this field (two master theses and one dis-
sertation—cf. Běloušková Zemanová, 2019,
2020; Chmelařová, 2014; Koláříková, 2007),
interviews with translators and representatives
of Czech (Czechoslovak) translation organisa-
tions, and the information published in the me-
dia, on the organisations’ websites and in their
bulletins. The aim of the historical overview is
to provide a wider context for the development
of Czech professional organisations.
In the second part, the paper depicts the Un-
ion of Interpreters and Translators, its objec-
tives, and its agenda, following the Union’s
website, the ToP bulletin, and the monograph
on the Union’s history based on a Master’s
thesis (Běloušková Zemanová, 2020). We be-
lieve it is useful to show how the Union itself
presents its mission and tasks in order to com-
pare these statements with the actual activities
implemented.
The main objective of the study is to explore
the Union’s activities that are specifically de-
signed for students and young translators and
interpreters. To do this, we focused first on the
annual conference currently organised under
the name Jarní balíček (Spring Package). The re-
search method in this part combines a qualita-
tive and qualitative approach (an analysis of the
titles of presentations and their classification
the Routledge Encyclopedia of Translation Studies
devoted to the Czech tradition (Kufnerová &
Osers, 2011, p. 384), there is no mention of
any of the associations of translators and in-
terpreters that have been active in the Czech
Republic since the 1990s.
There is, however, a short paragraph devoted
to “professional organisations and translator
training” in the chapter summarising the histo-
ry of translation in Slovakia, which highlights
the fact that Slovak translators (unlike Czech)
have been represented in the fit uninterrupted-
ly since 1970 (Kufnerová et al., 2011, p. 526).
More recently, the history of Czech transla-
tor associations and their role in shaping the
profession and specifically the field of special-
ised translation has been the topic of study in
several dissertations and master’s theses (cf.
Běloušková Zemanová, 2020; Chmelařová,
2014; Koláříková, 2007).
Pym (2014) provides an overview based on in-
formation collected about 217 selected trans-
lator associations active in the eu countries,
China, Asia, Oceania, Africa and South Amer-
ica. His analysis focuses on the development of
these organisations over time, which, according
to the author, “is in part an index of the way the
translation profession itself has evolved” (Pym,
2014, p. 2).
this paper describes the translator and inter-
preter organisations active in the Czech market
and briefly outlines their history. Then, it gath-
ers information about the activities and events
organised by the Czech Union of Interpreters
and Translators (Jednota Tlumočníků a Překla-
datelů, jtp) that are geared to translation and
interpretation students and novice translators
and interpreters. The objective is to describe
the role of this organisation in the education
of young translators, to see how its activities
complement translator training provided by
universities and how they reflect current trends
in translation and interpreting.
1. Method
This research project was driven by the ques-
tion of whether and how professional asso-
ciations help students and young translators
develop the competences required in the trans-
lation market and how they interact with the
academic community. In order to provide a
more general context, the first part outlines the
history of Czech organisations of translators
and interpreters and describes those current-
ly active in the Czech Republic. This part is
based on Czech translation history literature
(Kufnerová & Osers, 2011; Kufnerová et al.,
2011; Levý & Honzík, 1996; Rubáš, 2012),
the results of previously conducted research
in this field (two master theses and one dis-
sertation—cf. Běloušková Zemanová, 2019,
2020; Chmelařová, 2014; Koláříková, 2007),
interviews with translators and representatives
of Czech (Czechoslovak) translation organisa-
tions, and the information published in the me-
dia, on the organisations’ websites and in their
bulletins. The aim of the historical overview is
to provide a wider context for the development
of Czech professional organisations.
In the second part, the paper depicts the Un-
ion of Interpreters and Translators, its objec-
tives, and its agenda, following the Union’s
website, the ToP bulletin, and the monograph
on the Union’s history based on a Master’s
thesis (Běloušková Zemanová, 2020). We be-
lieve it is useful to show how the Union itself
presents its mission and tasks in order to com-
pare these statements with the actual activities
implemented.
The main objective of the study is to explore
the Union’s activities that are specifically de-
signed for students and young translators and
interpreters. To do this, we focused first on the
annual conference currently organised under
the name Jarní balíček (Spring Package). The re-
search method in this part combines a qualita-
tive and qualitative approach (an analysis of the
titles of presentations and their classification
Interaction and Cooperation Between Professional Associations and Academia
in the Czech Republic: The Case of the Union of Interpreters and Translators75Mutatis Mutandis. Revista Latinoamericana de Traducción Vol. 17, N.°1, 2024, enero-junio,pp.71-88
into categories). The programmes of the thir-
teen events held from 2011 to 2023 were ana-
lysed in terms of the target group (translators,
interpreters or both), focus of the presentations
(theoretical vs. practical), the qualifications of
the speakers (translation professionals, academ-
ics, representatives of public administration
authorities, and other specialists), the areas of
specialisation in translation and interpreting
(general vs. focused on a specific genre, text
type/thematic area or setting), and specific top-
ic. The classification of topics is partly derived
from the emt Competence Framework and in-
cludes the following categories:
• Business-oriented, which roughly falls into
the category of personal, interpersonal and
service provision competences.
• Process-oriented, i.e. providing advice on
how to translate, which corresponds to the
translation competence.
• Ethics, treated as a separate category, al-
though in the competence framework it falls
under service provision.
• Translation tools, which in our analysis in-
clude all kinds of technologies and resourc-
es, such as corpora.
• Training and didactics.
• Topics related to physical and psychological
aspects, i.e. developing personal and inter-
personal competence.
• General—miscellaneous presentations on
culture, literature, etc.
The data on the conference programmes and
on the competition were gathered from the Un-
ion’s website, the ToP bulletin, and the private
archives of the Union’s current secretary and
of one of its founders, Petr Kautský. Wherever
we noticed discrepancies between these sourc-
es, we used the most up-to-date information
so that it would include the presentations that
were actually delivered, but such differences
were minimal.
Secondly, we analysed the data on the theses
submitted to the Award for the Best Master’s
and Bachelor’s Thesis in translation and inter-
preting studies, their authors, the researched
topics, and the winners. The information was
obtained from the Union’s website (and from
the reports published in the ToP journal (jtp,
2023; Petrů, 2018; Svoboda, 2020). Similarly,
as in the case of the conference presentations,
the topics and other information related to the
works were divided into categories according
to several criteria. Special attention was paid
to the winning theses. The aim of this section
was to describe the competition, its partici-
pants, evaluators and trends in terms of pre-
ferred topics (both from the participants’ and
the evaluators’ perspective).
The findings of the analysis (of the conference
programmes and theses submitted in the com-
petition) have been placed in the context of
the current organisation of translator training
in the Czech Republic (the curricula of the In-
stitute of Translation Studies were used as an
example—Filozofická fakulta, Univerzita Kar-
lova, n. d.) and the Competence Framework
proposed by the European Master’s in Transla-
tion (European Commission, 2022) (cf. Froe-
liger et al., 2023). Finally, we try to evaluate
how both activities comply with the Union’s
mission, to what extent they respond to the
needs of the translation market, and how they
reflect the interaction between the professional
community and the academic sphere.
2. A Brief History of Professional
Associations of Interpreters
and Translators in the Czech Republic
The history of Czech associations of profes-
sional translators started with the establish-
ment of the Translator Association (Sdružení
překladatelské) in 1911 (Levý & Honzík,
1996, p. 209). As stated in the Association’s
programme (Levý & Honzík, 1996, p. 209),
its tasks were, among others, to protect the
interests of good and diligent translators and
supress low-quality translations, to be in con-
tact with publishers and editors, to recommend
in the Czech Republic: The Case of the Union of Interpreters and Translators75Mutatis Mutandis. Revista Latinoamericana de Traducción Vol. 17, N.°1, 2024, enero-junio,pp.71-88
into categories). The programmes of the thir-
teen events held from 2011 to 2023 were ana-
lysed in terms of the target group (translators,
interpreters or both), focus of the presentations
(theoretical vs. practical), the qualifications of
the speakers (translation professionals, academ-
ics, representatives of public administration
authorities, and other specialists), the areas of
specialisation in translation and interpreting
(general vs. focused on a specific genre, text
type/thematic area or setting), and specific top-
ic. The classification of topics is partly derived
from the emt Competence Framework and in-
cludes the following categories:
• Business-oriented, which roughly falls into
the category of personal, interpersonal and
service provision competences.
• Process-oriented, i.e. providing advice on
how to translate, which corresponds to the
translation competence.
• Ethics, treated as a separate category, al-
though in the competence framework it falls
under service provision.
• Translation tools, which in our analysis in-
clude all kinds of technologies and resourc-
es, such as corpora.
• Training and didactics.
• Topics related to physical and psychological
aspects, i.e. developing personal and inter-
personal competence.
• General—miscellaneous presentations on
culture, literature, etc.
The data on the conference programmes and
on the competition were gathered from the Un-
ion’s website, the ToP bulletin, and the private
archives of the Union’s current secretary and
of one of its founders, Petr Kautský. Wherever
we noticed discrepancies between these sourc-
es, we used the most up-to-date information
so that it would include the presentations that
were actually delivered, but such differences
were minimal.
Secondly, we analysed the data on the theses
submitted to the Award for the Best Master’s
and Bachelor’s Thesis in translation and inter-
preting studies, their authors, the researched
topics, and the winners. The information was
obtained from the Union’s website (and from
the reports published in the ToP journal (jtp,
2023; Petrů, 2018; Svoboda, 2020). Similarly,
as in the case of the conference presentations,
the topics and other information related to the
works were divided into categories according
to several criteria. Special attention was paid
to the winning theses. The aim of this section
was to describe the competition, its partici-
pants, evaluators and trends in terms of pre-
ferred topics (both from the participants’ and
the evaluators’ perspective).
The findings of the analysis (of the conference
programmes and theses submitted in the com-
petition) have been placed in the context of
the current organisation of translator training
in the Czech Republic (the curricula of the In-
stitute of Translation Studies were used as an
example—Filozofická fakulta, Univerzita Kar-
lova, n. d.) and the Competence Framework
proposed by the European Master’s in Transla-
tion (European Commission, 2022) (cf. Froe-
liger et al., 2023). Finally, we try to evaluate
how both activities comply with the Union’s
mission, to what extent they respond to the
needs of the translation market, and how they
reflect the interaction between the professional
community and the academic sphere.
2. A Brief History of Professional
Associations of Interpreters
and Translators in the Czech Republic
The history of Czech associations of profes-
sional translators started with the establish-
ment of the Translator Association (Sdružení
překladatelské) in 1911 (Levý & Honzík,
1996, p. 209). As stated in the Association’s
programme (Levý & Honzík, 1996, p. 209),
its tasks were, among others, to protect the
interests of good and diligent translators and
supress low-quality translations, to be in con-
tact with publishers and editors, to recommend
Vanda Obdržálková76La dimensión profesional en la docencia en traducción e interpretación
good translators, to write evaluations of trans-
lations, to investigate and review translations,
and to publish the opinions of its members. Be-
fore joining, its members had to submit a trans-
lation of their own. However, the Association
was only active until 1913 (Levý & Honzík,
1996, p. 209). It was not until 1936 that this
organisation was succeeded by the Translators’
Circle (Kruh překladatelů) (Levý & Honzík,
1996, pp. 214–215), which developed into a
more stable organisation of literary transla-
tors. Its most important aim was to bring new
perspectives into translation criticism and to
educate translators.
The increasing demand for translators in the
post-war period led to the formation of new
organisations catering to their interests and
the different aspects of their work. In 1949,
the Union of Czechoslovak Writers (Svaz
československých spisovatelů, sčss) was estab-
lished, with a separate section for translators.
The Translators’ Circle joined the Union and
was transformed into the Translators’ Section in
1961 (Chmelařová, 2014). At that time, the sec-
tion brought together elite translators, theorists
of literature, and critics, and had several hun-
dred members. The Translators’ Circle, and
later the Translators’ Section, were very active,
their activities including research, education,
the popularisation of translations, and publish-
ing policy (Rubáš, 2012). The Translators’ Sec-
tion was a member of the fit and it was expected
to organise the fit Congress in 1969. Prepara-
tions for the congress were already under way,
and according to the preliminary programme,
its central focus should have been literary trans-
lation. However, this effort was thwarted by
the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact invasion of Czech-
oslovakia in 1968 and the subsequent dissolu-
tion of the Union of Czechoslovak Writers and
its translator section in 1969 (Haeseryn, 2005;
Chmelařová, 2014).
The political, social, and economic develop-
ments in socialist Czechoslovakia led to an in-
creasing need for professional interpreters and
non-literary (or specialised) translators, which
resulted in the opening of the Institute of
Translating and Interpreting at the University
of 17 November in 19631. The institute offered
study programmes in translation and interpret-
ing in Prague and Bratislava. Later on, it was
annexed as a department of Charles Universi-
ty in Prague, and in 1990, it changed its name
to Institute of Translation Studies.
Koláříková (2007) suggests that the efforts to
unite both literary and non-literary translators
led to the establishment of the Association of
Czech Translators (Sdružení Českých Překla-
datelů) in 1968. In 1972, the association, the
activities of which included the organisation
of seminars, symposia and conferences, was
dissolved by a decision of the Ministry of the
Interior, presumably for political reasons. In
1978, the activities of the association were re-
newed, and in 1981, it became a member of the
fit. Interestingly, apart from the cited disserta-
tion (Koláříková, 2007), no documented infor-
mation has been found on the existence of this
association before 1978, and other resources
date the year of its foundation in 19782. In an
interview published in the Czech daily Rudé prá-
vo [Red Justice] on the day of its first meeting,
the president of the (re)established association
said that its objective was to improve the quali-
ty of literary translations, coordinate translators’
work, and create an education and training sys-
tem. It also focused on establishing and develop-
ing contacts and partnerships with translators in
other countries. The president also mentioned
that the association aimed to provide special
assistance to young translators starting their
careers (Hrouda, 1978, p. 5).
As the above historical overview implies,
non-literary and specialised translators and
1 The University of 17 November no longer exists.
2 However, the existence of the Association of
Czech Translators that supposedly to gather toge-
ther non-literary translators between 1968 and 1971
was confirmed by Ljuba Suchá —managing direc-
tor to in an interview. (Chmelařová, 2014, p. 94)
good translators, to write evaluations of trans-
lations, to investigate and review translations,
and to publish the opinions of its members. Be-
fore joining, its members had to submit a trans-
lation of their own. However, the Association
was only active until 1913 (Levý & Honzík,
1996, p. 209). It was not until 1936 that this
organisation was succeeded by the Translators’
Circle (Kruh překladatelů) (Levý & Honzík,
1996, pp. 214–215), which developed into a
more stable organisation of literary transla-
tors. Its most important aim was to bring new
perspectives into translation criticism and to
educate translators.
The increasing demand for translators in the
post-war period led to the formation of new
organisations catering to their interests and
the different aspects of their work. In 1949,
the Union of Czechoslovak Writers (Svaz
československých spisovatelů, sčss) was estab-
lished, with a separate section for translators.
The Translators’ Circle joined the Union and
was transformed into the Translators’ Section in
1961 (Chmelařová, 2014). At that time, the sec-
tion brought together elite translators, theorists
of literature, and critics, and had several hun-
dred members. The Translators’ Circle, and
later the Translators’ Section, were very active,
their activities including research, education,
the popularisation of translations, and publish-
ing policy (Rubáš, 2012). The Translators’ Sec-
tion was a member of the fit and it was expected
to organise the fit Congress in 1969. Prepara-
tions for the congress were already under way,
and according to the preliminary programme,
its central focus should have been literary trans-
lation. However, this effort was thwarted by
the Soviet-led Warsaw Pact invasion of Czech-
oslovakia in 1968 and the subsequent dissolu-
tion of the Union of Czechoslovak Writers and
its translator section in 1969 (Haeseryn, 2005;
Chmelařová, 2014).
The political, social, and economic develop-
ments in socialist Czechoslovakia led to an in-
creasing need for professional interpreters and
non-literary (or specialised) translators, which
resulted in the opening of the Institute of
Translating and Interpreting at the University
of 17 November in 19631. The institute offered
study programmes in translation and interpret-
ing in Prague and Bratislava. Later on, it was
annexed as a department of Charles Universi-
ty in Prague, and in 1990, it changed its name
to Institute of Translation Studies.
Koláříková (2007) suggests that the efforts to
unite both literary and non-literary translators
led to the establishment of the Association of
Czech Translators (Sdružení Českých Překla-
datelů) in 1968. In 1972, the association, the
activities of which included the organisation
of seminars, symposia and conferences, was
dissolved by a decision of the Ministry of the
Interior, presumably for political reasons. In
1978, the activities of the association were re-
newed, and in 1981, it became a member of the
fit. Interestingly, apart from the cited disserta-
tion (Koláříková, 2007), no documented infor-
mation has been found on the existence of this
association before 1978, and other resources
date the year of its foundation in 19782. In an
interview published in the Czech daily Rudé prá-
vo [Red Justice] on the day of its first meeting,
the president of the (re)established association
said that its objective was to improve the quali-
ty of literary translations, coordinate translators’
work, and create an education and training sys-
tem. It also focused on establishing and develop-
ing contacts and partnerships with translators in
other countries. The president also mentioned
that the association aimed to provide special
assistance to young translators starting their
careers (Hrouda, 1978, p. 5).
As the above historical overview implies,
non-literary and specialised translators and
1 The University of 17 November no longer exists.
2 However, the existence of the Association of
Czech Translators that supposedly to gather toge-
ther non-literary translators between 1968 and 1971
was confirmed by Ljuba Suchá —managing direc-
tor to in an interview. (Chmelařová, 2014, p. 94)
Interaction and Cooperation Between Professional Associations and Academia
in the Czech Republic: The Case of the Union of Interpreters and Translators77Mutatis Mutandis. Revista Latinoamericana de Traducción Vol. 17, N.°1, 2024, enero-junio,pp.71-88
interpreters did not have a stable professional
association of their own, something that would
change in the 1990s. This decade actually saw the
founding of five associations catering to the in-
terests of translators and interpreters of different
specializations, all of which are still active today:
the Czech Literary Translators’ Guild (Obec pře-
kladatelů) founded in 1990, the Union of Inter-
preters and Translators (Jednota tlumočníků a
překladatelů) founded also in 1990, askot (the
Association of Conference Interpreters,) found-
ed in 1990, the Chamber of Court Interpreters
and Court Translators of the Czech Republic
(Komora soudních tlumočníků a překladatelů
České republiky) founded in 1996, and the Czech
Chamber of Sign Language Interpreters (Česká
komora tlumočníků znakového jazyka) founded
in 2000. The Associations of Conference Inter-
preters and Sign Language Interpreters are mem-
bers of the Union of Interpreters and Translators.
3. Results
As implied in its name, the Union of Interpret-
ers and Translators is open to all translators and
interpreters regardless of their specialisation,
although its secretary admitted in an interview
(Chmelařová, 2014) that it mostly develops ac-
tivities for non-literary translators, while the
Literary Translators’ Guild focuses on literary
translators. The Union was founded shortly after
the fall of the communist regime in 1989, when
translators and interpreters were finally allowed
to practice their profession as independent
selfemployed professionals in a free market. In-
terestingly enough, although the Czechoslovak
state split already in 1993, the Union operated as
a Czechoslovak organisation until 2005, when
the independent Slovak Association of Transla-
tors and Interpreters was established (n. d.).
The Union offers three types of membership—
regular, discounted (for part-time translators/
interpreters), and extraordinary (for students
and retired translators/interpreters). The ap-
plicants must prove they are professional trans-
lators or interpreters or are studying to become
one, and pay the membership fee. Based on in-
formation from the Union’s website, in 2024 it
had approximately 470 members. However, in
an interview held in 2014, the secretary stated
that it had 600 members (Chmelařová, 2014).
Comparing the data on the Union with those
provided by Pym (2014), we can say it belongs
among smaller European associations and it
was established much later than most of its Eu-
ropean counterparts. It is also remarkable that
in the Czech/Czechoslovak context, associa-
tions of literary translators have existed long
before those that bring together non-literary
translators.
The Union is a member of the Fédération In-
ternationale des Traducteurs (fit) and Audio-
Visual Translators Europe. On its website, it
states its mission as follows:
• We are elevating the profile of the interpret-
ing and translation profession.
• We connect generations of interpreters and
translators.
• We provide information about current events
in the field.
• We support new interpreters and translators
and increase the knowledge and skills of es-
tablished interpreters and translators.
• We are strengthening the market position of
interpreters and translators and are helping
to educate the market.
• We advise members in disputes with custom-
ers and employers.
• We promote cooperation among and net-
work with professional translation and inter-
pretation associations.
• We are a meeting place. (jtp, n. d.a)
Also, the organisation provides its members with
the following benefits (information from the or-
ganisation’s website paraphrased by the author):
• Members have an opportunity to offer their
translation and interpreting services.
in the Czech Republic: The Case of the Union of Interpreters and Translators77Mutatis Mutandis. Revista Latinoamericana de Traducción Vol. 17, N.°1, 2024, enero-junio,pp.71-88
interpreters did not have a stable professional
association of their own, something that would
change in the 1990s. This decade actually saw the
founding of five associations catering to the in-
terests of translators and interpreters of different
specializations, all of which are still active today:
the Czech Literary Translators’ Guild (Obec pře-
kladatelů) founded in 1990, the Union of Inter-
preters and Translators (Jednota tlumočníků a
překladatelů) founded also in 1990, askot (the
Association of Conference Interpreters,) found-
ed in 1990, the Chamber of Court Interpreters
and Court Translators of the Czech Republic
(Komora soudních tlumočníků a překladatelů
České republiky) founded in 1996, and the Czech
Chamber of Sign Language Interpreters (Česká
komora tlumočníků znakového jazyka) founded
in 2000. The Associations of Conference Inter-
preters and Sign Language Interpreters are mem-
bers of the Union of Interpreters and Translators.
3. Results
As implied in its name, the Union of Interpret-
ers and Translators is open to all translators and
interpreters regardless of their specialisation,
although its secretary admitted in an interview
(Chmelařová, 2014) that it mostly develops ac-
tivities for non-literary translators, while the
Literary Translators’ Guild focuses on literary
translators. The Union was founded shortly after
the fall of the communist regime in 1989, when
translators and interpreters were finally allowed
to practice their profession as independent
selfemployed professionals in a free market. In-
terestingly enough, although the Czechoslovak
state split already in 1993, the Union operated as
a Czechoslovak organisation until 2005, when
the independent Slovak Association of Transla-
tors and Interpreters was established (n. d.).
The Union offers three types of membership—
regular, discounted (for part-time translators/
interpreters), and extraordinary (for students
and retired translators/interpreters). The ap-
plicants must prove they are professional trans-
lators or interpreters or are studying to become
one, and pay the membership fee. Based on in-
formation from the Union’s website, in 2024 it
had approximately 470 members. However, in
an interview held in 2014, the secretary stated
that it had 600 members (Chmelařová, 2014).
Comparing the data on the Union with those
provided by Pym (2014), we can say it belongs
among smaller European associations and it
was established much later than most of its Eu-
ropean counterparts. It is also remarkable that
in the Czech/Czechoslovak context, associa-
tions of literary translators have existed long
before those that bring together non-literary
translators.
The Union is a member of the Fédération In-
ternationale des Traducteurs (fit) and Audio-
Visual Translators Europe. On its website, it
states its mission as follows:
• We are elevating the profile of the interpret-
ing and translation profession.
• We connect generations of interpreters and
translators.
• We provide information about current events
in the field.
• We support new interpreters and translators
and increase the knowledge and skills of es-
tablished interpreters and translators.
• We are strengthening the market position of
interpreters and translators and are helping
to educate the market.
• We advise members in disputes with custom-
ers and employers.
• We promote cooperation among and net-
work with professional translation and inter-
pretation associations.
• We are a meeting place. (jtp, n. d.a)
Also, the organisation provides its members with
the following benefits (information from the or-
ganisation’s website paraphrased by the author):
• Members have an opportunity to offer their
translation and interpreting services.
Vanda Obdržálková78La dimensión profesional en la docencia en traducción e interpretación
• They can attend events, training sessions,
and seminars free of charge or at significant
discounts.
• They can use the Union’s remote simultane-
ous interpreting hardware.
• They have access to the quarterly bulletin
ToP (Translation/Interpreting) and regular
industry updates.
• They can join the Union’s mentoring
programme.
• They can become members of a Facebook
group and a Google group with access re-
stricted to the Union’s members only.
• They have access to the Union’s library with
five thousand publications.
• They can enjoy discounts on events hosted
by other fit member organisations such as
bdü, cbti, and others.
• They can enjoy discounts offered by leading
developers of dictionaries, software, and oth-
er translation and interpreting tools.
• They can attend professional and social events.
• They can request funding to cover attendance
at professional events held abroad. (jtp, n. d.b)
The Union achieves its goals through a num-
ber of activities. Since 1994, it holds an annu-
al professional conference, St. Jerome’s Days
(Jeronýmovy dny), each autumn. Additional-
ly, it hosts or sponsors a number of other train-
ing workshops, meetings, and conferences in
the field of translation and interpreting, both
academic and professional.
Another important initiative is the “Dictionary
of the Year” award, which recognises and pro-
motes high-quality lexicographic and termino-
logical publications covering all languages and
fields of specialisation. The Union also pub-
lishes the ToP quarterly bulletin available to its
members free of charge and to other readers
upon subscription. It publishes all kinds of
information relevant to the translator and in-
terpreter profession: articles from the domain
of linguistics and terminology, organizational
and legal issues, regular reports on newly pub-
lished literature in translation and interpreting
studies, invitations to and reports from the
events and competitions organised by the Un-
ion and other associations, and diverse pop-
ularizing articles. Academics affiliated with
universities (mainly the Institute of Transla-
tion Studies of the Charles University) are
among the regular contributors to the journal.
3.1. A Conference for Students and Young
Translators and Interpreters
Since 2011, the Union has organised a smaller,
usually one-day event for young translators and
interpreters who are entering the market that fo-
cuses on topics and issues relevant to them. This
event is conceived as a spin-off of the St. Jerome
Days, whose programme could not accommo-
date all topics due to time restrictions. The at-
tendees can learn from the experience of senior
interpreters and translators and other experts and
obtain useful advice on how to start their career,
how to set prices, and how to promote their servi-
ces and communicate with agencies and clients3.
In 2020 and 2021, the event could only be held
online due to covid-19 restrictions. Exact data on
the number of attendees were not available, but
the venue has a capacity for about 70 persons.
Since 2022, the conference has also been strea-
med online for up to another 90 viewers.
The data collected from the programmes of the
thirteen editions held from 2011 to 2023 show
that a total 80 presentations have been deliv-
ered by 66 different speakers (some of them
appeared more than once). In addition to this,
there were six award ceremonies relating to the
announcement of the Best Master’s/Bachelor’s
Thesis Competition and the results. Out of the
80 contributions, 26 were focused on topics re-
lating to translation, 22 on interpreting, and
32 presented topics of interest to both translators
and interpreters, that is, both audience segments
3 The event has had several names —originally it was
called Spring Weekend (Jarní víkend), later Young
Jerome (Mladý Jeroným), and in recent years, it has
been organised under the name Spring Package
(Jarní balíček).
• They can attend events, training sessions,
and seminars free of charge or at significant
discounts.
• They can use the Union’s remote simultane-
ous interpreting hardware.
• They have access to the quarterly bulletin
ToP (Translation/Interpreting) and regular
industry updates.
• They can join the Union’s mentoring
programme.
• They can become members of a Facebook
group and a Google group with access re-
stricted to the Union’s members only.
• They have access to the Union’s library with
five thousand publications.
• They can enjoy discounts on events hosted
by other fit member organisations such as
bdü, cbti, and others.
• They can enjoy discounts offered by leading
developers of dictionaries, software, and oth-
er translation and interpreting tools.
• They can attend professional and social events.
• They can request funding to cover attendance
at professional events held abroad. (jtp, n. d.b)
The Union achieves its goals through a num-
ber of activities. Since 1994, it holds an annu-
al professional conference, St. Jerome’s Days
(Jeronýmovy dny), each autumn. Additional-
ly, it hosts or sponsors a number of other train-
ing workshops, meetings, and conferences in
the field of translation and interpreting, both
academic and professional.
Another important initiative is the “Dictionary
of the Year” award, which recognises and pro-
motes high-quality lexicographic and termino-
logical publications covering all languages and
fields of specialisation. The Union also pub-
lishes the ToP quarterly bulletin available to its
members free of charge and to other readers
upon subscription. It publishes all kinds of
information relevant to the translator and in-
terpreter profession: articles from the domain
of linguistics and terminology, organizational
and legal issues, regular reports on newly pub-
lished literature in translation and interpreting
studies, invitations to and reports from the
events and competitions organised by the Un-
ion and other associations, and diverse pop-
ularizing articles. Academics affiliated with
universities (mainly the Institute of Transla-
tion Studies of the Charles University) are
among the regular contributors to the journal.
3.1. A Conference for Students and Young
Translators and Interpreters
Since 2011, the Union has organised a smaller,
usually one-day event for young translators and
interpreters who are entering the market that fo-
cuses on topics and issues relevant to them. This
event is conceived as a spin-off of the St. Jerome
Days, whose programme could not accommo-
date all topics due to time restrictions. The at-
tendees can learn from the experience of senior
interpreters and translators and other experts and
obtain useful advice on how to start their career,
how to set prices, and how to promote their servi-
ces and communicate with agencies and clients3.
In 2020 and 2021, the event could only be held
online due to covid-19 restrictions. Exact data on
the number of attendees were not available, but
the venue has a capacity for about 70 persons.
Since 2022, the conference has also been strea-
med online for up to another 90 viewers.
The data collected from the programmes of the
thirteen editions held from 2011 to 2023 show
that a total 80 presentations have been deliv-
ered by 66 different speakers (some of them
appeared more than once). In addition to this,
there were six award ceremonies relating to the
announcement of the Best Master’s/Bachelor’s
Thesis Competition and the results. Out of the
80 contributions, 26 were focused on topics re-
lating to translation, 22 on interpreting, and
32 presented topics of interest to both translators
and interpreters, that is, both audience segments
3 The event has had several names —originally it was
called Spring Weekend (Jarní víkend), later Young
Jerome (Mladý Jeroným), and in recent years, it has
been organised under the name Spring Package
(Jarní balíček).
Interaction and Cooperation Between Professional Associations and Academia
in the Czech Republic: The Case of the Union of Interpreters and Translators79Mutatis Mutandis. Revista Latinoamericana de Traducción Vol. 17, N.°1, 2024, enero-junio,pp.71-88
(translators and interpreters) were addressed
equally.
The topics discussed were categorised in terms
of specific fields of translation and interpreting.
Most of them (57) were of a general nature,
while 23 made reference to a specific speciali-
sation, namely legal and sworn translation and
interpreting (6), translation and interpreting for
the European Union, (5), literary translation
(4), interpreting for diplomatic services (2), sub-
titling (2), interpreting into sign language (2),
simultaneous interpreting (1), and community
interpreting (1).
Also, speakers were categorised in terms of
their qualifications and relationship to aca-
demia and government authorities, as shown
in Figure 1. Most of the contributions (42)
were delivered by professional translators or
interpreters, very often members of the Union
or other professional associations. In addition,
20 presentations were read by experts from
the academic sphere; this category includes all
persons who were either employed or studied
at a university at the time of their presenta-
tion. Most of the academics were affiliated
with the Faculty of Arts of Charles Universi-
ty (Prague), and specifically with the Institute
of Translation Studies (a total of 12 speakers).
The categories of academics and profession-
al translators/interpreters partly overlap, as
many university teachers are also practicing
translators/interpreters, some of the presenters
are recent university graduates, etc. The pres-
entations delivered by university teachers and
students covered all types of topics in terms of
their general focus (theoretical, practical, and
mixed; see Figure 2).
Figure 2. General Approach of Presentations
Figure 1. Speakers’ Profile
in the Czech Republic: The Case of the Union of Interpreters and Translators79Mutatis Mutandis. Revista Latinoamericana de Traducción Vol. 17, N.°1, 2024, enero-junio,pp.71-88
(translators and interpreters) were addressed
equally.
The topics discussed were categorised in terms
of specific fields of translation and interpreting.
Most of them (57) were of a general nature,
while 23 made reference to a specific speciali-
sation, namely legal and sworn translation and
interpreting (6), translation and interpreting for
the European Union, (5), literary translation
(4), interpreting for diplomatic services (2), sub-
titling (2), interpreting into sign language (2),
simultaneous interpreting (1), and community
interpreting (1).
Also, speakers were categorised in terms of
their qualifications and relationship to aca-
demia and government authorities, as shown
in Figure 1. Most of the contributions (42)
were delivered by professional translators or
interpreters, very often members of the Union
or other professional associations. In addition,
20 presentations were read by experts from
the academic sphere; this category includes all
persons who were either employed or studied
at a university at the time of their presenta-
tion. Most of the academics were affiliated
with the Faculty of Arts of Charles Universi-
ty (Prague), and specifically with the Institute
of Translation Studies (a total of 12 speakers).
The categories of academics and profession-
al translators/interpreters partly overlap, as
many university teachers are also practicing
translators/interpreters, some of the presenters
are recent university graduates, etc. The pres-
entations delivered by university teachers and
students covered all types of topics in terms of
their general focus (theoretical, practical, and
mixed; see Figure 2).
Figure 2. General Approach of Presentations
Figure 1. Speakers’ Profile
Vanda Obdržálková80La dimensión profesional en la docencia en traducción e interpretación
Twelve contributions were presented by per-
sons with professions not directly related to
translation or language, such as doctors, law-
yers, and marketing specialists, who provided
information on general topics, such as health,
psychology, or marketing strategies. Other six
contributions were delivered by delegates from
Czech and European authorities, in particular,
representatives of the Directorate-General for
Translation of the European Commission and
the Department of Sworn Translators of the
Municipal Court in Prague. As for their na-
tionality, all of the speakers were Czech, with
two exceptions—professor Daniel Gile and
Roderick Jones, head of Czech interpretation
at the European Commission—(scic), who
were special guests of the 2018 edition dedi-
cated to translation and interpreting ethics.
In terms of the focus of the presentations, the-
ory vs. practice (see Figure 2), practical topics
strongly prevailed with 65 contributions, while
8 were theoretical and 7 contained elements of
both theory and practice.
In terms of content, the presentations were
further divided into seven subtopics (see Fig-
ure 3). The largest part (32) dealt with prac-
tical issues relating to the translation and
interpreting business, such as how to start
working as a freelance or in-house translator/
interpreter, what marketing strategies to em-
ploy, and how to use social networks and other
self-promotion tools. At least six of the ana-
lysed presentations make explicit reference to
pricing. The second largest group was orient-
ed to the translation and interpreting process,
with 15 presentations explaining how to trans-
late specific genres (cartoons, subtitling, legal
texts, eu-related texts) and how to interpret in
specific situations (remote simultaneous inter-
preting, note taking in consecutive interpreting,
etc.). Eleven were devoted to ethics in trans-
lation and interpreting. The fourth category,
with a total of 10 contributions, includes top-
ics dealing with translation tools, specifically
terminology resources and terminology man-
agement (5), including the use of corpora in
translation, cat tools (3), and machine transla-
tion post-editing (2). The fifth group comprises
contributions providing information on health
and psychological issues related to the trans-
lation and interpreting profession (5 presenta-
tions). Two contributions discussed translation
and interpreting training, and five presented
rather general topics related to Czech language
and culture. In terms of language, none of the
Figure 3. Topics Addressed by Presentations
Twelve contributions were presented by per-
sons with professions not directly related to
translation or language, such as doctors, law-
yers, and marketing specialists, who provided
information on general topics, such as health,
psychology, or marketing strategies. Other six
contributions were delivered by delegates from
Czech and European authorities, in particular,
representatives of the Directorate-General for
Translation of the European Commission and
the Department of Sworn Translators of the
Municipal Court in Prague. As for their na-
tionality, all of the speakers were Czech, with
two exceptions—professor Daniel Gile and
Roderick Jones, head of Czech interpretation
at the European Commission—(scic), who
were special guests of the 2018 edition dedi-
cated to translation and interpreting ethics.
In terms of the focus of the presentations, the-
ory vs. practice (see Figure 2), practical topics
strongly prevailed with 65 contributions, while
8 were theoretical and 7 contained elements of
both theory and practice.
In terms of content, the presentations were
further divided into seven subtopics (see Fig-
ure 3). The largest part (32) dealt with prac-
tical issues relating to the translation and
interpreting business, such as how to start
working as a freelance or in-house translator/
interpreter, what marketing strategies to em-
ploy, and how to use social networks and other
self-promotion tools. At least six of the ana-
lysed presentations make explicit reference to
pricing. The second largest group was orient-
ed to the translation and interpreting process,
with 15 presentations explaining how to trans-
late specific genres (cartoons, subtitling, legal
texts, eu-related texts) and how to interpret in
specific situations (remote simultaneous inter-
preting, note taking in consecutive interpreting,
etc.). Eleven were devoted to ethics in trans-
lation and interpreting. The fourth category,
with a total of 10 contributions, includes top-
ics dealing with translation tools, specifically
terminology resources and terminology man-
agement (5), including the use of corpora in
translation, cat tools (3), and machine transla-
tion post-editing (2). The fifth group comprises
contributions providing information on health
and psychological issues related to the trans-
lation and interpreting profession (5 presenta-
tions). Two contributions discussed translation
and interpreting training, and five presented
rather general topics related to Czech language
and culture. In terms of language, none of the
Figure 3. Topics Addressed by Presentations
Interaction and Cooperation Between Professional Associations and Academia
in the Czech Republic: The Case of the Union of Interpreters and Translators81Mutatis Mutandis. Revista Latinoamericana de Traducción Vol. 17, N.°1, 2024, enero-junio,pp.71-88
contributions were language-specific, except-
ed for one, which discussed legal English for
translation practice.
We can conclude this section highlighting that
the profiles of speakers and the content of the
presentations display high diversity which re-
flects the objective of the event, namely to ed-
ucate young translators with a wide range of
working languages and specialisations and to
help them enter the translation market. The
topics selected for presentation tend to be gen-
eral rather than language-specific, and most of
them address topics that are common to young
professionals of different specialisations, trans-
lators as well as interpreters, although some of
them were focused on specialised fields (such
as sworn interpreting or translating and inter-
preting for the European Union). Although
there were four contributions dedicated to lit-
erary translation, the event was much more
focused on non-literary/specialised translation
and interpreting.
The distribution of topics clearly shows that
most of the contributions discussed very prac-
tical issues of the translation and interpreting
business and were presented by practicing pro-
fessionals, which very probably reflects the de-
mand of the audience (while the availability
of speakers may be another factor). This may
also be related to the extent to which practical
business topics are represented in the curricula
of Translation and Interpreting programmes.
As a case in point, the curricula of the Institute
of Translation Studies (Filozofická fakulta,
Univerzita Karlova, n. d.) do include several
subjects that are specifically dedicated to the
practical aspects of both professions, namely
the compulsory subject Business Skills and Ca-
reer Guidance in the Translation Profession
and the compulsory elective course titled Pub-
lishing Policies and Practices (focused primar-
ily on literary translation), which are taught
at the ma level. ma students of translation/
interpreting also have to complete a work
placement as a compulsory part of their stud-
ies. At the undergraduate level, there is no
course dedicated specifically to personal and
interpersonal competence and service provi-
sion, although students receive information
of this type in other more general translation
courses (e.g., Introduction to Translation and
Introduction to Interpreting).
However, students and recent graduates prob-
ably still feel the need to learn from their more
experienced peers about the specific steps to be
taken and the strategies to be employed. This
seems to support the Brian Mossop’s assump-
tion that “translation schools are inherently
limited in what they can do to prepare students
for the workplace” (Durban et al., 2003). In
our opinion, such limitations typically concern
pricing and marketing strategies. It should be
also noted that not all practicing translators
and interpreters have studied in a programme
specialised in translation or interpreting. In-
deed, for many languages, such specialised
programmes are not even available.
Students’ concern about their service provision
competence after graduation has been docu-
mented in several surveys, such as that con-
ducted by Froeliger et al. (2023, p. 18) where
translation students in the last year of study
considered this to be their weakest competence.
Similarly, in a study conducted by Álvarez
Álvarez and Arnáiz Uzquiza (2017), profes-
sional competences were the most frequently
mentioned as contents missing in translation
and interpreting curricula according to gradu-
ates. Another survey, focused on the desirable
profile for a translation teacher, showed that
professional translators consider “knowledge
about the translation profession (trends, work-
flows, tools and so on)” the third most needed
competence in translation teachers (Pavlović
& Antunović, 2019, pp. 8–9). This also seems
to reflect the perceived importance of practical
professional aspects in translation training.
in the Czech Republic: The Case of the Union of Interpreters and Translators81Mutatis Mutandis. Revista Latinoamericana de Traducción Vol. 17, N.°1, 2024, enero-junio,pp.71-88
contributions were language-specific, except-
ed for one, which discussed legal English for
translation practice.
We can conclude this section highlighting that
the profiles of speakers and the content of the
presentations display high diversity which re-
flects the objective of the event, namely to ed-
ucate young translators with a wide range of
working languages and specialisations and to
help them enter the translation market. The
topics selected for presentation tend to be gen-
eral rather than language-specific, and most of
them address topics that are common to young
professionals of different specialisations, trans-
lators as well as interpreters, although some of
them were focused on specialised fields (such
as sworn interpreting or translating and inter-
preting for the European Union). Although
there were four contributions dedicated to lit-
erary translation, the event was much more
focused on non-literary/specialised translation
and interpreting.
The distribution of topics clearly shows that
most of the contributions discussed very prac-
tical issues of the translation and interpreting
business and were presented by practicing pro-
fessionals, which very probably reflects the de-
mand of the audience (while the availability
of speakers may be another factor). This may
also be related to the extent to which practical
business topics are represented in the curricula
of Translation and Interpreting programmes.
As a case in point, the curricula of the Institute
of Translation Studies (Filozofická fakulta,
Univerzita Karlova, n. d.) do include several
subjects that are specifically dedicated to the
practical aspects of both professions, namely
the compulsory subject Business Skills and Ca-
reer Guidance in the Translation Profession
and the compulsory elective course titled Pub-
lishing Policies and Practices (focused primar-
ily on literary translation), which are taught
at the ma level. ma students of translation/
interpreting also have to complete a work
placement as a compulsory part of their stud-
ies. At the undergraduate level, there is no
course dedicated specifically to personal and
interpersonal competence and service provi-
sion, although students receive information
of this type in other more general translation
courses (e.g., Introduction to Translation and
Introduction to Interpreting).
However, students and recent graduates prob-
ably still feel the need to learn from their more
experienced peers about the specific steps to be
taken and the strategies to be employed. This
seems to support the Brian Mossop’s assump-
tion that “translation schools are inherently
limited in what they can do to prepare students
for the workplace” (Durban et al., 2003). In
our opinion, such limitations typically concern
pricing and marketing strategies. It should be
also noted that not all practicing translators
and interpreters have studied in a programme
specialised in translation or interpreting. In-
deed, for many languages, such specialised
programmes are not even available.
Students’ concern about their service provision
competence after graduation has been docu-
mented in several surveys, such as that con-
ducted by Froeliger et al. (2023, p. 18) where
translation students in the last year of study
considered this to be their weakest competence.
Similarly, in a study conducted by Álvarez
Álvarez and Arnáiz Uzquiza (2017), profes-
sional competences were the most frequently
mentioned as contents missing in translation
and interpreting curricula according to gradu-
ates. Another survey, focused on the desirable
profile for a translation teacher, showed that
professional translators consider “knowledge
about the translation profession (trends, work-
flows, tools and so on)” the third most needed
competence in translation teachers (Pavlović
& Antunović, 2019, pp. 8–9). This also seems
to reflect the perceived importance of practical
professional aspects in translation training.
Vanda Obdržálková82La dimensión profesional en la docencia en traducción e interpretación
The results also indicate that, in line with the
Union’s mission, the ethics of translation and
interpreting in diverse contexts is an important
concern to the organisers, as it was the third
most frequently discussed topic and the central
theme of the 2018 edition of the event. Ten of
the eighty presentations discussed different as-
pects concerning translation technologies, in-
cluding two papers on mt post-editing. In view
of the recent advances in technologies in the
translation and interpreting industry, this num-
ber may not seem too high, but it still shows
that the Union acknowledges the relevance of
translation technologies and makes an effort to
keep up with recent developments4. It should
be noted that the format of the event and the
presentations (which are normally not longer
than 60 minutes) only allows the presenters to
provide general or introductory information
on the different aspects of translation technol-
ogies. A more comprehensive training in cat
and mt is provided through specialised cours-
es, also organised under jtp’s sponsorship and
in cooperation with Charles University.
Placing the findings of this section within the
context of the emt competence framework, it
turns out that the presentations cover all five ar-
eas of competence defined in this framework:
language and culture, translation, technolo-
gy, personal and interpersonal competence,
and service provision, with a strong focus on
the last two categories. Language and culture
were thematised only to a limited extent, as
given by the setting of the conference, which
is generally non-language-specific (though the
programme included several themes exploring
Czech language and culture). Overall, the data
on conference topics and target groups reflect
the generalist approach of the Union, which
4 It should be added that the topic of translation
technologies is more strongly represented in the
main event organised by the Union in the Czech
Republic, i.e. St. Jerome’s Days (Jeronýmovy dny),
designated for practicing translation and interpre-
ting professionals.
may have certain advantages, but also disad-
vantages, such as failure to attract audience
with specialised interest (cf. Pym, 2014).
3.2. The Award to the Best Master’s
and Bachelor’s Thesis
In 2017, the Union launched the first edition of
the Best Thesis Award and the first winner was
announced one year later. The competition is bi-
annual, and since its second edition, which was
announced in 2019, it has accepted both Master
and Bachelor theses in translation and interpret-
ing studies defended at a Czech or Slovak uni-
versity within two years before the deadline for
submission. The cooperation with Slovak univer-
sities increases the number of participants, and
also the number of potential evaluators. There
is one winner in each category. The aim of the
competition is to support academic research on
translation and interpreting and to promote the
Union among university students and teachers.
The jury is composed of academics in Transla-
tion Studies (from both Czech and Slovak univer-
sities) and a representative of the Union.
In the context of the competition, the award
prizes high-quality theses that further contrib-
ute to the understanding of phenomena that
are central to the Union’s interest, including
particularly: to improve the conditions in the
translation and interpreting market; to educate
clients, translators/interpreters, and recipients
of translation/interpreting services; and to
promote the ethical and other values of the
Union (jtp, n. d.c). The best works are select-
ed based on the number of points awarded ac-
cording to the following criteria:
1. General content – contribution to the study of
phenomena that are the focus of the Union’s
interest.
2. Innovation.
3. Content – clarity and comprehensibility of
the text.
4. The extent of the thesis and the scope of de-
tails provided – standard vs. above the stan-
dard length.
The results also indicate that, in line with the
Union’s mission, the ethics of translation and
interpreting in diverse contexts is an important
concern to the organisers, as it was the third
most frequently discussed topic and the central
theme of the 2018 edition of the event. Ten of
the eighty presentations discussed different as-
pects concerning translation technologies, in-
cluding two papers on mt post-editing. In view
of the recent advances in technologies in the
translation and interpreting industry, this num-
ber may not seem too high, but it still shows
that the Union acknowledges the relevance of
translation technologies and makes an effort to
keep up with recent developments4. It should
be noted that the format of the event and the
presentations (which are normally not longer
than 60 minutes) only allows the presenters to
provide general or introductory information
on the different aspects of translation technol-
ogies. A more comprehensive training in cat
and mt is provided through specialised cours-
es, also organised under jtp’s sponsorship and
in cooperation with Charles University.
Placing the findings of this section within the
context of the emt competence framework, it
turns out that the presentations cover all five ar-
eas of competence defined in this framework:
language and culture, translation, technolo-
gy, personal and interpersonal competence,
and service provision, with a strong focus on
the last two categories. Language and culture
were thematised only to a limited extent, as
given by the setting of the conference, which
is generally non-language-specific (though the
programme included several themes exploring
Czech language and culture). Overall, the data
on conference topics and target groups reflect
the generalist approach of the Union, which
4 It should be added that the topic of translation
technologies is more strongly represented in the
main event organised by the Union in the Czech
Republic, i.e. St. Jerome’s Days (Jeronýmovy dny),
designated for practicing translation and interpre-
ting professionals.
may have certain advantages, but also disad-
vantages, such as failure to attract audience
with specialised interest (cf. Pym, 2014).
3.2. The Award to the Best Master’s
and Bachelor’s Thesis
In 2017, the Union launched the first edition of
the Best Thesis Award and the first winner was
announced one year later. The competition is bi-
annual, and since its second edition, which was
announced in 2019, it has accepted both Master
and Bachelor theses in translation and interpret-
ing studies defended at a Czech or Slovak uni-
versity within two years before the deadline for
submission. The cooperation with Slovak univer-
sities increases the number of participants, and
also the number of potential evaluators. There
is one winner in each category. The aim of the
competition is to support academic research on
translation and interpreting and to promote the
Union among university students and teachers.
The jury is composed of academics in Transla-
tion Studies (from both Czech and Slovak univer-
sities) and a representative of the Union.
In the context of the competition, the award
prizes high-quality theses that further contrib-
ute to the understanding of phenomena that
are central to the Union’s interest, including
particularly: to improve the conditions in the
translation and interpreting market; to educate
clients, translators/interpreters, and recipients
of translation/interpreting services; and to
promote the ethical and other values of the
Union (jtp, n. d.c). The best works are select-
ed based on the number of points awarded ac-
cording to the following criteria:
1. General content – contribution to the study of
phenomena that are the focus of the Union’s
interest.
2. Innovation.
3. Content – clarity and comprehensibility of
the text.
4. The extent of the thesis and the scope of de-
tails provided – standard vs. above the stan-
dard length.
Interaction and Cooperation Between Professional Associations and Academia
in the Czech Republic: The Case of the Union of Interpreters and Translators83Mutatis Mutandis. Revista Latinoamericana de Traducción Vol. 17, N.°1, 2024, enero-junio,pp.71-88
5. The technical aspects of the thesis – language,
typography, graphic layout. (jtp, n. d.c)
The winners are announced at one of the
events organised by the Union and in its jour-
nal and receive a monetary prize.
In the three editions of the competition, a total
of 64 Master’s (46) and Bachelor’s (18) theses
were submitted for evaluation by students from
nine different universities (four Slovak and five
Czech)5. Most of the works (51) were written
in Czech or Slovak, while thirteen were in the
language of the student’s specialisation (Eng-
lish or German). As for the field of research,
40 of the theses researched topics relevant to
translation, 21 investigated interpreting (in-
cluding interpreting into sign language), and
three covered both fields. A more detailed look
at the theses shows great thematic diversity. A
possible classification according to research
topics is shown in Figure 4.
The numbers suggest that most of the 64 sub-
mitted theses (14) dealt with non-literary/spe-
cialised translation (such as legal, technical,
medical, website localisation, etc.). However,
5 For those who are not familiar with the two lan-
guages, it should be noted that the speakers of
Czech can generally understand spoken and writ-
ten Slovak and vice versa.
this group includes seven theses whose sub-
ject was an annotated translation6. The other
eight investigated diverse aspects of specialised
translation, such as terminology, approach-
es to the translation of varied text types and
thematic areas. The second largest group ad-
dressed topics relating to literary translation,
such as translation history and the specific
aspects of different literary genres. The third
most frequently discussed topic was audiovis-
ual translation. Among the theses focused on
interpreting, the most frequent specialisation
was community and court interpreting with
eight theses. In the remaining smaller themat-
ic groups, there were five theses on translator/
interpreter training, two on sign language, and
two on translation technologies.
As the competition is biannual and the first
edition was only open to masters’ theses, there
have been five winners so far. The topics of the
winning works are summarised in Table 1.
The titles of the winning theses show that three
of them belong to the category of community
interpreting, one to non-literary (institutional)
translation, and one addressing terminology
in combination with translation technologies.
6 This number is influenced by the fact that, at
some departments, all students must present an
annotated translation as their bachelor thesis.
Figure 4. Research Topics of Works Submitted to the Best Thesis Contest
in the Czech Republic: The Case of the Union of Interpreters and Translators83Mutatis Mutandis. Revista Latinoamericana de Traducción Vol. 17, N.°1, 2024, enero-junio,pp.71-88
5. The technical aspects of the thesis – language,
typography, graphic layout. (jtp, n. d.c)
The winners are announced at one of the
events organised by the Union and in its jour-
nal and receive a monetary prize.
In the three editions of the competition, a total
of 64 Master’s (46) and Bachelor’s (18) theses
were submitted for evaluation by students from
nine different universities (four Slovak and five
Czech)5. Most of the works (51) were written
in Czech or Slovak, while thirteen were in the
language of the student’s specialisation (Eng-
lish or German). As for the field of research,
40 of the theses researched topics relevant to
translation, 21 investigated interpreting (in-
cluding interpreting into sign language), and
three covered both fields. A more detailed look
at the theses shows great thematic diversity. A
possible classification according to research
topics is shown in Figure 4.
The numbers suggest that most of the 64 sub-
mitted theses (14) dealt with non-literary/spe-
cialised translation (such as legal, technical,
medical, website localisation, etc.). However,
5 For those who are not familiar with the two lan-
guages, it should be noted that the speakers of
Czech can generally understand spoken and writ-
ten Slovak and vice versa.
this group includes seven theses whose sub-
ject was an annotated translation6. The other
eight investigated diverse aspects of specialised
translation, such as terminology, approach-
es to the translation of varied text types and
thematic areas. The second largest group ad-
dressed topics relating to literary translation,
such as translation history and the specific
aspects of different literary genres. The third
most frequently discussed topic was audiovis-
ual translation. Among the theses focused on
interpreting, the most frequent specialisation
was community and court interpreting with
eight theses. In the remaining smaller themat-
ic groups, there were five theses on translator/
interpreter training, two on sign language, and
two on translation technologies.
As the competition is biannual and the first
edition was only open to masters’ theses, there
have been five winners so far. The topics of the
winning works are summarised in Table 1.
The titles of the winning theses show that three
of them belong to the category of community
interpreting, one to non-literary (institutional)
translation, and one addressing terminology
in combination with translation technologies.
6 This number is influenced by the fact that, at
some departments, all students must present an
annotated translation as their bachelor thesis.
Figure 4. Research Topics of Works Submitted to the Best Thesis Contest
Vanda Obdržálková84La dimensión profesional en la docencia en traducción e interpretación
Although the winners are selected based on the
overall quality rather than just the topic, the se-
lection indicates the jury’s preference for works
that reflect up-to-date issues in translation and
interpreting and are practice-oriented (which is
in line with the rules of the competition).
To conclude this section, we can see that while
the theses submitted to the competition are by
no means a representative sample of all the-
ses in the field of translation and interpreting
studies defended in the Czech Republic and
Slovakia, they do indicate certain trends. First,
they cover a wide range of diverse topics and
methodological approaches, including transla-
tor and interpreting training and sign language.
Works addressing interpreting account for ap-
proximately one third of the submitted theses,
which is a relatively high proportion given the
fact that not all the universities involved offer
specialised interpreting programmes. Specif-
ically, theses on community interpreting are
rather frequent and were also very successful
in the evaluation. This seems to reflect the in-
creasing relevance of community interpreting
in the Czech and Slovak context in view of the
political and social developments in the past
five years.
Within the field of translation, the relative-
ly high proportion of works dealing with
audiovisual translation stands out, which is
again in line with the current developments
in the translation market worldwide. Literary
translation and translation history can be con-
sidered traditional and common research top-
ics in Translation Studies. In the competition,
they were the second most common type, ac-
counting for about one sixth of all works sub-
mitted, which is perhaps less than could have
been expected. This might be partly accounted
for by the evaluation criteria, which emphasise
innovation as an important aspect. In this con-
text, it might be surprising that the number of
theses (3) concerned with translation technol-
ogies and tools is not very high. This may be
explained by the methodological and technical
challenges associated with research in trans-
lation technologies and/or lack of academics
with expertise in the domain when it comes to
philology departments (i.e. departments not
specialised primarily in translation studies).
4. Conclusions
The historical overview of the activities of trans-
lator and interpreter associations in the Czech
Republic shows that efforts have been made to
organise translators and promote their inter-
ests for more than one hundred years, although
for a long time, they mostly concerned liter-
ary translation and translators. The first stable
Year Degree Title
2018 Master’s Thesis Community Interpreting at Labour
Offices – A Case Study
2020 Master’s Thesis Children as Interpreters
2020 Bachelor’s Thesis
Terminology Management in
Practice. Management and
Digitalisation of Glossaries.
2022 Master’s Thesis
The Role of Comments Files in
Institutional Translation: The Case
of the ecb
2022 Bachelor’s Thesis
Interpreting in the Refugee
Context – “A Mouthpiece of
European Union’s Management of
the Refugee Crisis”?
Table 1. Topics of Winning Theses at Each Annual Competition
Although the winners are selected based on the
overall quality rather than just the topic, the se-
lection indicates the jury’s preference for works
that reflect up-to-date issues in translation and
interpreting and are practice-oriented (which is
in line with the rules of the competition).
To conclude this section, we can see that while
the theses submitted to the competition are by
no means a representative sample of all the-
ses in the field of translation and interpreting
studies defended in the Czech Republic and
Slovakia, they do indicate certain trends. First,
they cover a wide range of diverse topics and
methodological approaches, including transla-
tor and interpreting training and sign language.
Works addressing interpreting account for ap-
proximately one third of the submitted theses,
which is a relatively high proportion given the
fact that not all the universities involved offer
specialised interpreting programmes. Specif-
ically, theses on community interpreting are
rather frequent and were also very successful
in the evaluation. This seems to reflect the in-
creasing relevance of community interpreting
in the Czech and Slovak context in view of the
political and social developments in the past
five years.
Within the field of translation, the relative-
ly high proportion of works dealing with
audiovisual translation stands out, which is
again in line with the current developments
in the translation market worldwide. Literary
translation and translation history can be con-
sidered traditional and common research top-
ics in Translation Studies. In the competition,
they were the second most common type, ac-
counting for about one sixth of all works sub-
mitted, which is perhaps less than could have
been expected. This might be partly accounted
for by the evaluation criteria, which emphasise
innovation as an important aspect. In this con-
text, it might be surprising that the number of
theses (3) concerned with translation technol-
ogies and tools is not very high. This may be
explained by the methodological and technical
challenges associated with research in trans-
lation technologies and/or lack of academics
with expertise in the domain when it comes to
philology departments (i.e. departments not
specialised primarily in translation studies).
4. Conclusions
The historical overview of the activities of trans-
lator and interpreter associations in the Czech
Republic shows that efforts have been made to
organise translators and promote their inter-
ests for more than one hundred years, although
for a long time, they mostly concerned liter-
ary translation and translators. The first stable
Year Degree Title
2018 Master’s Thesis Community Interpreting at Labour
Offices – A Case Study
2020 Master’s Thesis Children as Interpreters
2020 Bachelor’s Thesis
Terminology Management in
Practice. Management and
Digitalisation of Glossaries.
2022 Master’s Thesis
The Role of Comments Files in
Institutional Translation: The Case
of the ecb
2022 Bachelor’s Thesis
Interpreting in the Refugee
Context – “A Mouthpiece of
European Union’s Management of
the Refugee Crisis”?
Table 1. Topics of Winning Theses at Each Annual Competition
Interaction and Cooperation Between Professional Associations and Academia
in the Czech Republic: The Case of the Union of Interpreters and Translators85Mutatis Mutandis. Revista Latinoamericana de Traducción Vol. 17, N.°1, 2024, enero-junio,pp.71-88
associations that brought together non-literary
translators and interpreters were only formed
after the fall of the communist regime in 1989.
The analysis of relevant resources confirmed
that the education of translators in the broad
sense of the word has been an important part
of these organisations’ mission since their be-
ginning. Starting around the 1970s, they have
included activities specifically targeting young
translators and translation students. Since its
founding in the 1990s, the Union of Interpreters
and Translators, which brings together mostly
non-literary translators and interpreters, has
developed a stable and continuous coopera-
tion with universities and budding translators.
Every spring since 2011, it hosts a conference
for novice translators and interpreters.
When looking at the programmes of the
event’s past editions, we can see that universi-
ty students and teachers delivered 25% of the
presentations, both theoretical and practical.
Their participation may be specifically benefi-
cial for those students and young profession-
als who have not studied a Translation Studies
programme and have not been trained in spe-
cialised disciplines, such as note taking in con-
secutive interpreting or the use of corpora in
translation.
As for the topics discussed at the event during
the past thirteen years, practical issues prevailed
(78.8%), specifically those relating to the trans-
lation business and service provision, includ-
ing marketing, communication with clients,
and pricing (40%), i.e. the knowledge and skills
that are required from young translators and
interpreters who are entering the translation
market. The second largest set were contribu-
tions on different aspects of the translating and
interpreting process (18.8%), i.e. responding to
the question on how to translate/interpret dif-
ferent genres, thematic areas, in different set-
tings, etc. In the context of translation, these
would develop the translation competence as
defined by the emt Competence Framework.
Also quite remarkable is the proportion of
speeches on ethics in translation and interpret-
ing (13.8%)—the promotion of which is in line
with the organisation’s mission.
The data collected on the Best Master’s and
Bachelor’s Thesis Award illustrate that the com-
petition does comply with its defined mission
and indeed helps promote mostly innovative
and up-to-date research topics, also in terms of
their social and practical relevance (community
interpreting being a good example of this). At
the same time, the competition helps the Union
keep in touch with the youngest generation of
translator researchers. This is may be a way of
overcoming certain stagnation (cf. Pym, 2014)
and even attracting new members.
In view of their increasing presence and im-
portance, translation technologies and ma-
chine translation post-editing are domains that
seem to be somewhat underrepresented both
in respect to conference topics and the research
topics for theses. Possible reasons for this have
been indicated above: training in and research
in technologies are associated with specific
challenges and require specific expertise on the
side of the trainer or researcher.
Overall, the information collected and present-
ed in this paper demonstrates that the Union
of Interpreters and Translators works as a
bridge between the academic and the profes-
sional worlds. Its events have the potential to
complement the training offered by universi-
ties, particularly when it comes to personal,
interpersonal, and service provision skills. The
ability to attract professional translators and
interpreters as speakers seems to be an impor-
tant asset in this respect. It should be noted that
unlike the activities described by Olalla-Soler
(2019), with the mentoring programme in Cat-
alonia, and Berthaud and Mason (2018), with
the communities of practice for translation
trainees, in the conference setting, the audi-
ence of students and young professionals are
engaged rather passively.
in the Czech Republic: The Case of the Union of Interpreters and Translators85Mutatis Mutandis. Revista Latinoamericana de Traducción Vol. 17, N.°1, 2024, enero-junio,pp.71-88
associations that brought together non-literary
translators and interpreters were only formed
after the fall of the communist regime in 1989.
The analysis of relevant resources confirmed
that the education of translators in the broad
sense of the word has been an important part
of these organisations’ mission since their be-
ginning. Starting around the 1970s, they have
included activities specifically targeting young
translators and translation students. Since its
founding in the 1990s, the Union of Interpreters
and Translators, which brings together mostly
non-literary translators and interpreters, has
developed a stable and continuous coopera-
tion with universities and budding translators.
Every spring since 2011, it hosts a conference
for novice translators and interpreters.
When looking at the programmes of the
event’s past editions, we can see that universi-
ty students and teachers delivered 25% of the
presentations, both theoretical and practical.
Their participation may be specifically benefi-
cial for those students and young profession-
als who have not studied a Translation Studies
programme and have not been trained in spe-
cialised disciplines, such as note taking in con-
secutive interpreting or the use of corpora in
translation.
As for the topics discussed at the event during
the past thirteen years, practical issues prevailed
(78.8%), specifically those relating to the trans-
lation business and service provision, includ-
ing marketing, communication with clients,
and pricing (40%), i.e. the knowledge and skills
that are required from young translators and
interpreters who are entering the translation
market. The second largest set were contribu-
tions on different aspects of the translating and
interpreting process (18.8%), i.e. responding to
the question on how to translate/interpret dif-
ferent genres, thematic areas, in different set-
tings, etc. In the context of translation, these
would develop the translation competence as
defined by the emt Competence Framework.
Also quite remarkable is the proportion of
speeches on ethics in translation and interpret-
ing (13.8%)—the promotion of which is in line
with the organisation’s mission.
The data collected on the Best Master’s and
Bachelor’s Thesis Award illustrate that the com-
petition does comply with its defined mission
and indeed helps promote mostly innovative
and up-to-date research topics, also in terms of
their social and practical relevance (community
interpreting being a good example of this). At
the same time, the competition helps the Union
keep in touch with the youngest generation of
translator researchers. This is may be a way of
overcoming certain stagnation (cf. Pym, 2014)
and even attracting new members.
In view of their increasing presence and im-
portance, translation technologies and ma-
chine translation post-editing are domains that
seem to be somewhat underrepresented both
in respect to conference topics and the research
topics for theses. Possible reasons for this have
been indicated above: training in and research
in technologies are associated with specific
challenges and require specific expertise on the
side of the trainer or researcher.
Overall, the information collected and present-
ed in this paper demonstrates that the Union
of Interpreters and Translators works as a
bridge between the academic and the profes-
sional worlds. Its events have the potential to
complement the training offered by universi-
ties, particularly when it comes to personal,
interpersonal, and service provision skills. The
ability to attract professional translators and
interpreters as speakers seems to be an impor-
tant asset in this respect. It should be noted that
unlike the activities described by Olalla-Soler
(2019), with the mentoring programme in Cat-
alonia, and Berthaud and Mason (2018), with
the communities of practice for translation
trainees, in the conference setting, the audi-
ence of students and young professionals are
engaged rather passively.
Vanda Obdržálková86La dimensión profesional en la docencia en traducción e interpretación
On another note, the association plays an impor-
tant role in encouraging research on under-re-
searched topics and disseminating results, and
generally providing space for discussion on less
prominent themes and specialisations in trans-
lation and interpreting, such as sign language.
As for the limitations of this study, the most ob-
vious one is its limited scope. Firstly, it focuses
only on the situation in the Czech Republic
and on the activities of the Union of Trans-
lators and Interpreters. At least the activities
of the Czech Literary Translators’ Guild, and
specifically its competition for young literary
translators would also be worth investigating
to get an insight in the area of literary trans-
lation. Secondly, out of the events organised
by the Union, the analysis only includes those
specifically focused on students and young
professionals. The analysis is based only on
data collected from diverse written resources,
most of them publicly available. It would be
interesting to add more qualitative data, such
as feedback from the participants or interviews
with the organisers.
References
Álvarez-Álvarez, S. & Arnáiz-Uzquiza, V. (2017).
Translation and interpreting graduates under
construction: do Spanish translation and inter-
preting studies curricula answer the challenges
of employability? The Interpreter and Translator
Trainer, 11(2–3), 139–159, https://doi.org/10.
1080/1750399X.2017.1344812
Běloušková Zemanová, E. (2019). Dějiny Jednoty
tlumočníků a překladatelů [History of the Union
of Interpreters and Translators] [Master’s the-
sis]. Univerzita Karlova, Czech Republic.
Běloušková Zemanová, E. (2020). 30 let Jednoty tlu-
močníků a překladatelů v diplomové práci Elišky
Bělouškové Zemanové [30 years of the Union
of Interpreters and Translators in the thesis of
Eliška Běloušková Zemanová]. jtp - Jednota
tlumočníků a překladatelů.
Berthaud, S. & Mason, S. (2018). Embedding reflec-
tion throughout the postgraduate translation
curriculum: using communities of practice to
enhance training. The Interpreter and Translator
Trainer, 12(4), 388–405. https://doi.org/10.10
80/1750399X.2018.1538847
Chamber of the Court Interpreters and Transla-
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www.kstcr.cz/en/kst-cr-code-of-ethics
Chmelařová, E. (2014). Odborný překlad a organizo-
vaná činnost překladatelů ve 2. polovině 20. století
[Professional translation and the organised ac-
tivity of translators in the second half of the
20th century] [unpublished thesis]. Univerzita
Karlova, Czech Republic.
Česká komora tlumočníků znakového jazyka (n.
d.). Etický kodex [Code of ethics] [web page].
https://www.cktzj.com/o-komore/eticky-ko-
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Czech Chamber of Court Interpreters and Transla-
tors (n. d.). Code of ethics. https://www.kst-
cr.cz/en/kst-cr-code-of-ethics accessed on 25
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Durban, C., Martin, T., Mossop, B., Schwartz, R.
& Searls-Ridge, C. (2003). Translator train-
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for bridging the gap. Translation Journal, 7(1),
1–35. https://translationjournal.net/jour-
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European Commission (2022). Updated ver-
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europa.eu/news/updated-version-emt-compe-
tence-framework-now-available-2022-10-21_
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studijni-plany/, accessed on 5 January 2024.
Froeliger, N., Krause, A., & Salmi, L. (2023). In-
stitutional translation—emt Competence
On another note, the association plays an impor-
tant role in encouraging research on under-re-
searched topics and disseminating results, and
generally providing space for discussion on less
prominent themes and specialisations in trans-
lation and interpreting, such as sign language.
As for the limitations of this study, the most ob-
vious one is its limited scope. Firstly, it focuses
only on the situation in the Czech Republic
and on the activities of the Union of Trans-
lators and Interpreters. At least the activities
of the Czech Literary Translators’ Guild, and
specifically its competition for young literary
translators would also be worth investigating
to get an insight in the area of literary trans-
lation. Secondly, out of the events organised
by the Union, the analysis only includes those
specifically focused on students and young
professionals. The analysis is based only on
data collected from diverse written resources,
most of them publicly available. It would be
interesting to add more qualitative data, such
as feedback from the participants or interviews
with the organisers.
References
Álvarez-Álvarez, S. & Arnáiz-Uzquiza, V. (2017).
Translation and interpreting graduates under
construction: do Spanish translation and inter-
preting studies curricula answer the challenges
of employability? The Interpreter and Translator
Trainer, 11(2–3), 139–159, https://doi.org/10.
1080/1750399X.2017.1344812
Běloušková Zemanová, E. (2019). Dějiny Jednoty
tlumočníků a překladatelů [History of the Union
of Interpreters and Translators] [Master’s the-
sis]. Univerzita Karlova, Czech Republic.
Běloušková Zemanová, E. (2020). 30 let Jednoty tlu-
močníků a překladatelů v diplomové práci Elišky
Bělouškové Zemanové [30 years of the Union
of Interpreters and Translators in the thesis of
Eliška Běloušková Zemanová]. jtp - Jednota
tlumočníků a překladatelů.
Berthaud, S. & Mason, S. (2018). Embedding reflec-
tion throughout the postgraduate translation
curriculum: using communities of practice to
enhance training. The Interpreter and Translator
Trainer, 12(4), 388–405. https://doi.org/10.10
80/1750399X.2018.1538847
Chamber of the Court Interpreters and Transla-
tors (n. d.). Code of Ethics of kst čr . https://
www.kstcr.cz/en/kst-cr-code-of-ethics
Chmelařová, E. (2014). Odborný překlad a organizo-
vaná činnost překladatelů ve 2. polovině 20. století
[Professional translation and the organised ac-
tivity of translators in the second half of the
20th century] [unpublished thesis]. Univerzita
Karlova, Czech Republic.
Česká komora tlumočníků znakového jazyka (n.
d.). Etický kodex [Code of ethics] [web page].
https://www.cktzj.com/o-komore/eticky-ko-
dex/ (in Czech only), accessed on 25 Septem-
ber 2023
Czech Chamber of Court Interpreters and Transla-
tors (n. d.). Code of ethics. https://www.kst-
cr.cz/en/kst-cr-code-of-ethics accessed on 25
September 2023.
Czech Chamber of Sign Language Interpreters (n.
d.). Code of ethics [Česká komora tlumočníků
znakového jazyka, Etický kodex]. https://
www.cktzj.com/
Durban, C., Martin, T., Mossop, B., Schwartz, R.
& Searls-Ridge, C. (2003). Translator train-
ing & the real world: Concrete suggestions
for bridging the gap. Translation Journal, 7(1),
1–35. https://translationjournal.net/jour-
nal/23roundtablea.htm
European Commission (2022). Updated ver-
sion of the emt competence framework now
available [web page]. https://commission.
europa.eu/news/updated-version-emt-compe-
tence-framework-now-available-2022-10-21_
en, accessed on 5 January 2024
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d.) Studijní plány [Study plans]. https://www.
ff.cuni.cz/studium/studijni-obory-plany/
studijni-plany/, accessed on 5 January 2024.
Froeliger, N., Krause, A., & Salmi, L. (2023). In-
stitutional translation—emt Competence
Interaction and Cooperation Between Professional Associations and Academia
in the Czech Republic: The Case of the Union of Interpreters and Translators87Mutatis Mutandis. Revista Latinoamericana de Traducción Vol. 17, N.°1, 2024, enero-junio,pp.71-88
framework and beyond. In T. Svoboda, Ł.
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překladatelů, 128, 20. https://ujkn.ff.cuni.cz/
in the Czech Republic: The Case of the Union of Interpreters and Translators87Mutatis Mutandis. Revista Latinoamericana de Traducción Vol. 17, N.°1, 2024, enero-junio,pp.71-88
framework and beyond. In T. Svoboda, Ł.
Biel, & V. Sosoni (Eds.), Institutional translator
training (pp. 13-29). Routledge. https://doi.
org/10.4324/9781003225249-3
Haeseryn, R. (2005). fit over fifty years 1953–2003.
fit.
Hertog, E. (2010). Community interpreting. In Y.
Gambier & L. van Doorslaer (Eds.), Handbook
of translation studies (vol. 1). John Benjamins.
https://doi.org/10.1075/hts.1.comm3
Hrouda, V. (1978, March 30). O Sdružení českých
překladatelů [About the Association of Czech
Translators]. Rudé právo 58(75).
jednota tlumočníků a překladatel —jtp (n. d.a)
Naše poslání [Our mission]. https://www.jt-
punion.org/nase-poslani (accessed on 20 Feb-
ruary 2024).
jednota tlumočníků a překladatel —jtp (n. d.b). Člen-
ství [Membership]. https://www.jtpunion.org/
clenstvi/ (accessed on 18 September 2023).
jednota tlumočníků a překladatel —jtp (n. d.c).
Soutěže [Competitions]. https://dev.jtpunion.
org/Souteze/SOUND (accessed on 12 Octo-
ber 2023).
jednota tlumočníků a překladatel —jtp (2014).
Stanovy Jednoty tlumočníků a překladatelů,
z. s. [Statutes of the Union of Interpreters
and Translators]. https://www.jtpunion.org/
stanovy/ (in Czech only; accessed on 25 Sep-
tember 2023).
jednota tlumočníků a překladatel —jtp (2022).
Výsledky soutěže jtp o nejlepší diplo-
movou / bakalářskou práci v oboru trans-
latologie [Results of the jtp competition
for the best diploma / bachelor thesis in
the field of translation studies]. ToP (tlu-
močení–překlad) Jednota tlumočníků a překla-
datelů, 144, 15–18. http://dev.jtpunion.org/
Ke-stazeni/ToP-rocnik-2022-(c-143-146)/
ToP-144-leto-2022
Jednota tlumočníků a překladatel —jtp (2024).
Home page of the jtp [web site]. https://dev.
jtpunion.org/Souteze/SOUND, accessed on
5 January 2024.
Koláříková, D. (2007). Historie a současnost odborného
překladu u nás [History and present of professional
translation in the Czech Republic] [unpublished
dissertation]. Západočeská univerzita v Plzni.
Fakulta filozofická, Czech Republic.
Kufnerová, Z. & Osers, E. (2011). Czech tradition.
In M. Baker & G. Saldanha (Eds.), Routledge
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expanded edition). Tatran.
Pym, A. (2014). Translator associations—
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26(3), 466–491. https://doi.org/10.1075/
target.26.3.06pym
Rubáš, S. (2012). Slovo za slovem: s překladateli o
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Svoboda, T. (2020). sound – soutěž onejlepší diplo-
movou abakalářskou práci voboru transla-
tologie [Competition for the best ma and ba
thesis in the field of translation studies]. ToP
(tlumočení–překlad) Jednota tlumočníků a překla-
datelů, 137, 29–31.
Van Wyke, B. (2010). Ethics and translation. In Y.
Gambier & L. van Doorslaer (Eds.), Handbook
of translation studies (pp. 111–115; vol. 1). John
Benjamins. https://benjamins.com/online/
hts/articles/eth1
How to cite this article: Obdržálková, V. (2024). Interaction and cooperation between profes-
sional associations and academia in the Czech Republic: The case of the Union of Interpreters
and Translators. Mutatis Mutandis, Revista Latinoamericana de Traducción, 17(1), 71–88. https://
doi.org/10.17533/udea.mut.v17n1a04