ºÃÉ«tv

Chartered Institute
of Linguists

The Threlford Cup

Special award for fostering the study of languages

The Threlford Cup is ºÃÉ«tv’s prestigious award for inspiring the learning of languages, presented annuallyÌýforÌýan activity that has inspired others with an original language-learning or teaching initiative.

The winner of the award is selected from nominations received from the wider languages community. Everyone is welcome to nominate.

If you would like to make a nomination, please complete the .Ìý

If you have any queries, please contact us.

History of the Threlford Cup

First presented in 1935 by Sir Lacon Threlford, Founder of the Institute of Linguists, the cup was described as the world's greatest trophy for fostering the study of languages and of marvellous beauty.
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Current holder and previous winners

2024 winner: Charity Translators

Cari Bottois, the charity's co-founder, is pictured with John Worne, CEO ºÃÉ«tv, to receive the award on behalf of all volunteers at Charity Translators.

has grown from just a handful of volunteers to a community of over 1500 volunteers who use their language skills to support a wide variety of charitable projects. These include support for human rights, education, migration, mental health and palliative care to name just a few.

As Charity Translators have said of themselves: "We are 100% people-powered and our reward comes from using our languages and knowledge of translation and interpreting to help charities and their beneficiaries.


In 2023 the Threlford Cup was awarded jointly to two winners:



Dr Charlotte Ryland, pictured here with colleagues and ºÃÉ«tv Patron Prince Michael of Kent, was awarded the Threlford Cup for her work as Director of the Stephen Spender Trust (SST). Inspired by the vision, beliefs and actions of Stephen Spender toward multilingualism and the importance of languages in society, the Stephen Spender Trust has developed a number of outstanding competitions and awards promoting multilingual translation of literature. Their flagship programme ‘Creative Translation for All’ is representative of their cultural activism around a diverse range of languages. Initiatives include Poetry in Translation Award and Creative Translation Education programmes in schools.


Robbie Norval, pictured here with ºÃÉ«tv Patron Prince Michael of Kent, picked up the award on behalf of Lingo Flamingo, an organisation with an innovative approach to making language learning accessible for older adults and people living with dementia which recognises that language learning helps strengthen the brain. Participants have reported an increased sense of worth and self-confidence, and they have the opportunity to complete an SQA certified unit which provides them with a sense of achievement and accomplishment. The ethos is that it is never too late to learn something new!




More Threlford Cup award winners

First presented in 1935 by Sir Lacon Threlford, Founder of the Institute of Linguists, in the archives of the time, the Threlford Cup was described as "the world's greatest trophy for fostering the study of languages" and "of marvellous beauty".

Current holder and past winners

2024: Charity Translators
2022-23: Joint winners: Stephen Spender Trust /ÌýLingo Flamingo
2021-22: Civil Service Languages Network
2020:ÌýBAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
2019: uTalk Junior Challenge
2018: Young Interpreter Scheme
2017: MFL Student Mentoring Project
2016: Sally Fagan, Business Language Champions
2015: European Masters in Translation Programme/Angeliki Petrits (programme leader)
2014: GCHQ Language Outreach Programme
2013:ÌýLizzie Fane, Founder, ThirdYearAbroad.com
2012: Arsenal Double Club Languages
2011: Italian in Italy, Association of Italian Schools
2010:ÌýLuisa Ribeiro

ºÃÉ«tv Sir Lacon Threlford

Sir Lacon was, amongst other things, the Governor of Fiji, a Mason of outstanding rank, sponsor at the induction of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and has a window dedicated to him at the Church of St Lawrence Jewry in the City of London.