# Emacspeak

> free software

**Wikidata**: [Q5368763](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5368763)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emacspeak)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/emacspeak

## Summary
Emacspeak is a free, open-source screen reader designed to provide speech feedback for the GNU Emacs text editor, enabling visually impaired users to interact with computers. It runs on Unix-like operating systems, including Linux and macOS, and is written primarily in Lisp and Tcl. Released under the GNU General Public License, it emphasizes customizability and integration with Emacs.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Free software, screen reader.
- **License**: GNU General Public License.
- **Initial Release**: 1992.
- **Latest Version**: 45.0 (released November 20, 2016).
- **Creator**: T.V. Raman.
- **Programming Languages**: Lisp, Tcl.
- **Operating Systems**: Unix-like (e.g., Linux, macOS).
- **Customizability**: Extensible via Lisp programming.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Emacspeak used for?
A: Emacspeak is a screen reader that converts text in Emacs into speech, assisting visually impaired users in navigating and interacting with the editor.

### Q: Is Emacspeak available on Windows?
A: Emacspeak primarily targets Unix-like systems (e.g., Linux, macOS). While it may run on Windows via emulation, it is not natively supported.

### Q: How is Emacspeak licensed?
A: Emacspeak is free software released under the GNU General Public License (GPL), allowing users to modify and distribute the code.

## Why It Matters
Emacspeak is a pioneering assistive technology that has democratized access to computing for visually impaired individuals. As one of the earliest free and open-source screen readers, it set a precedent for inclusive software development. Its integration with Emacs—a highly extensible editor—enables users to customize speech feedback and workflows through Lisp scripting. By leveraging open standards and community-driven development, Emacspeak has remained relevant for over three decades, adapting to advancements in speech synthesis and operating systems. Its impact extends beyond functionality, symbolizing the broader mission of making technology accessible to all.

## Notable For
- **First Free Screen Reader**: Pioneered open-source assistive technology for Unix-like systems.
- **Emacs Integration**: Seamlessly extends Emacs with speech feedback, maintaining the editor’s core functionality.
- **Extensibility**: Customizable via Lisp, allowing users to tailor speech output and behavior.
- **Cross-Platform Compatibility**: Supports Linux, macOS, and other Unix-like environments.
- **Long-Term Maintenance**: Actively developed since 1992, with periodic updates (e.g., version 45.0 in 2016).

## Body

### Overview
Emacspeak is a speech interface for GNU Emacs, designed to enable eyes-free interaction with the editor. It converts text and user actions into audio output, supporting individuals with visual impairments. The software is free and open-source, emphasizing community collaboration and customization.

### History
- **Initial Release**: Developed by T.V. Raman, Emacspeak debuted in 1992.
- **Innovation**: It was the first screen reader to integrate closely with Emacs, leveraging its scripting capabilities for accessibility.

### Technical Details
- **Programming Languages**: Primarily written in Lisp, with components in Tcl.
- **Speech Synthesis**: Works with external synthesizers (e.g., eSpeak) to generate audio output.
- **Customization**: Users can modify speech rules and behaviors using Emacs Lisp.

### Versions
- **45.0 (2016-11-20)**: Added support for modern speech synthesizers and improved compatibility with Emacs 25+.
- **Historical Releases**: Notable versions include 40.0 (2015) and 35.0 (2015), each refining usability and platform support.

### Availability
- **Linux Distributions**: Packaged for Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, and Gentoo.
- **Source Code**: Hosted on GitHub (https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak) and SourceForge.
- **Documentation**: Available via its official website (http://emacspeak.sourceforge.net/) and blog (https://emacspeak.blogspot.com/).

### Related Projects
- **eSpeak**: A compact speech synthesizer often used with Emacspeak.
- **Emacs**: The extensible text editor that serves as Emacspeak’s foundation.

## References

1. Free Software Directory
2. [Source](https://api.github.com/repos/tvraman/emacspeak/releases)
3. [Release 45.0. 2016](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/45.0)
4. [Release 44.0. 2016](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/44.0)
5. [Release 43.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/43.0)
6. [Release 42.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/42.0)
7. [Release 40.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-40.0)
8. [Release 39.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-39.0)
9. [Release 38.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-38.0)
10. [Release 37.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-37.0)
11. [Release 36.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-36.0)
12. [Release 35.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-35.0)
13. [Release 34.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-34.0)
14. [Release 33.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-33.0)
15. [Release 32.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-32.0)
16. [Release 31.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-31.0)
17. [Release 30.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-30.0)
18. [Release 29.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-29.0)
19. [Release 29.0. 2017](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/29.0)
20. [Release 28.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-28.0)
21. [Release 28.0. 2017](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/28.0)
22. [Release 27.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-27.0)
23. [Release 27.0. 2017](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/27.0)
24. [Release 26.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-26.0)
25. [Release 25.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-25.0)
26. [Release 24.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-24.0)
27. [Release 23.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-23.0)
28. [Release 22.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-22.0)
29. [Release 21.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-21.0)
30. [Release 20.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-20.0)
31. [Release 19.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-19.0)
32. [Release 18.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-18.0)
33. [Release 17.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-17.0)
34. [Release 16.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-16.0)
35. [Release 15.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-15.0)
36. [Release 14.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-14.0)
37. [Release 13.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-13.0)
38. [Release 12.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-12.0)
39. [Release 11.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-11.0)
40. [Release 10.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-10.0)
41. [Release 9.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-9.0)
42. [Release 8.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-8.0)
43. [Release 7.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-7.0)
44. [Release 6.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-6.0)
45. [Release 5.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-5.0)
46. [Release 4.0. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/rlease-4.0)
47. [Release 3.75. 2015](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/release-3.75)
48. [Release 1.1. 2016](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/soundscape-1.1)
49. [Release 46.0. 2017](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/46.0)
50. [Release 1.2. 2017](https://github.com/tvraman/emacspeak/releases/tag/soundscape-1.2)