The article addresses the role of native translation (or L2 translation) in Central European countries. It examines sociological, economic, and historical aspects of this particular form of translation, emphasizing that it is not limited to countries where languages of limited diffusion are spoken. Surveys of translation markets in Central Europe reveal several common features: a high demand for translation into major European languages, a shortage of native translators working into these languages, and, as a result, a considerable tolerance for non-native translation. This sociological picture is complemented by an analysis of translation quality, based on a sample of 40 translations from Czech into English and French.