EN
The paper deals with the department of the contemporary language (in the past also known as a department of literary language or a department of grammar and stylistics). Namely, with its past and present content, while emphasizing the changes from its beginning in 1943. Scientific development of the department can be described as a) a movement from a systemic paradigm towards the pragmatic one, with a particular emphasis on language use in a specific social and cultural context, b) an increased interest in methodological issues in accordance with the development of the synchronic-linguistic thinking around the world and c) a constant self-reflection in confrontation with a classic approach to literary language and language culture.