Jaroslav Vacek (1943 – 2017): A Pioneer of Mongolian Studies and Dravidian Linguistics Jaroslav Vacek was a Czech linguist, director of the Institute of South and Central Asian Studies at Charles University in Prague, and former dean of the Philosophical Faculty. His lifelong dedication to exploring the intersections between languages—particularly Mongolian and Tamil—established him as a singular voice in academic scholarship and cemented his legacy as a champion of intercultural understanding. Early Life and Education Born June 26, 1943, Vacek’s fascination with Asian languages began duri…