A new translation of Karel Čapek's play R.U.R.—which famously coined the term “robot”— will appear in the upcoming book "R.U.R. and the Vision of Artificial Life" edited by Jitka Čejková. This book will also offer a collection of essays reflecting on the play's legacy from scientists and scholars who work in artificial life and robotics.
Probably the most used English translation of R.U.R. is the very first one from 1923 by Paul Selver. It was the adaptation that was used for the American premiere of R.U.R. which was presented by The Theater Guild at the Garrick Theater on Broadway on October 9, 1922. (Today marks exactly 101 years). However, Selvers's translation was not very successful, after all, even Čapek himself was not satisfied with it. Selver not only omitted some passages, but even eliminated some characters altogether. It is great that theater professor Štěpán Šimek agreed to translate the first edition of Čapek's Rossum's Universal Robots for this "R.U.R. and the Vision of Artificial Life" book. It is a straight translation in terms of the original. This means that, unlike some other translations, Štěpán Šimek did not cross out, that he translated every word and line, and that he did not change anything compared to the original. In other words, it is a truly faithful translation, not an adaptation of Čapek's R.U.R.
So, if you want to read this must-have book for anyone interested in science, technology and science fiction, the pre-order has already started!