# ELAN

> annotation tool for audio and video recordings

**Wikidata**: [Q105076382](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q105076382)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/elan-q105076382

Here’s the structured knowledge entry for ELAN:

---

## Summary  
ELAN is an annotation tool designed for audio and video recordings, primarily used for transcription and linguistic research. Developed by the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics, it supports multiple operating systems and file formats. It is open-source software licensed under the GNU General Public License.

## Key Facts  
- **Developer**: Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics (founded in 1980).  
- **License**: GNU General Public License, version 3.0.  
- **Operating Systems**: Compatible with Linux, Microsoft Windows, and macOS.  
- **Programming Language**: Written in Java (released in 1995).  
- **Primary Use**: Transcription and annotation of audio/video recordings.  
- **File Formats**: Supports ELAN Annotation Format, ELAN Preference File, and CSV files.  
- **Copyright Status**: Copyrighted.  
- **Official Website**: [http://tla.mpi.nl/tools/tla-tools/elan](http://tla.mpi.nl/tools/tla-tools/elan).  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is ELAN used for?  
A: ELAN is primarily used for annotating and transcribing audio and video recordings, especially in linguistic and psycholinguistic research.  

### Q: Is ELAN free to use?  
A: Yes, ELAN is open-source software distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 3.0.  

### Q: Which operating systems support ELAN?  
A: ELAN runs on Linux, Microsoft Windows, and macOS.  

## Why It Matters  
ELAN is a critical tool for researchers working with audio and video data, particularly in linguistics, anthropology, and psychology. Its ability to handle complex annotations and synchronize them with multimedia recordings makes it indispensable for qualitative analysis. By providing an open-source platform, ELAN democratizes access to advanced annotation capabilities, enabling smaller research teams and institutions to conduct detailed studies without proprietary software costs. Its development by the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics ensures it meets rigorous academic standards, further cementing its role in the research community.

## Notable For  
- **Open-Source Accessibility**: Licensed under GNU GPLv3, making it freely available.  
- **Multilingual Support**: Designed for linguistic research, including non-Western languages.  
- **Cross-Platform Compatibility**: Works on Linux, Windows, and macOS.  
- **Flexible File Formats**: Supports custom annotation formats and CSV imports/exports.  

## Body  
### Development and Licensing  
- Developed by the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics (founded 1980).  
- Released under GNU General Public License, version 3.0.  

### Technical Specifications  
- **Programming Language**: Java.  
- **Operating Systems**: Linux (since 1991), Windows (since 1985), macOS (since 2001).  
- **File Formats**:  
  - Readable: ELAN Annotation Format, ELAN Preference File, CSV.  
  - Writable: ELAN Annotation Format, ELAN Preference File.  

### Documentation and Support  
- User manual available at: [https://www.mpi.nl/corpus/html/elan/index.html](https://www.mpi.nl/corpus/html/elan/index.html).  

## Schema Markup  
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "SoftwareApplication",
  "name": "ELAN",
  "description": "Annotation tool for audio and video recordings, primarily used for transcription.",
  "url": "http://tla.mpi.nl/tools/tla-tools/elan",
  "operatingSystem": ["Linux", "Windows", "macOS"],
  "softwareVersion": "GNU General Public License, version 3.0",
  "applicationCategory": "Transcription Software",
  "developer": {
    "@type": "Organization",
    "name": "Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics",
    "foundingDate": "1980-01-01"
  },
  "programmingLanguage": "Java"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://archive.mpi.nl/tla/elan/cite)
2. [Source](https://archive.mpi.nl/tla/elan)
3. [Source](https://www.mpi.nl/corpus/html/elan/ch01s04s02.html#Sec_Importing_CSV_Tab-delimited_Text_Files)