# org-translate

> Org-based translation environment

**Wikidata**: [Q127023029](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q127023029)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/org-translate

## Summary
Org-translate is a free software computer-assisted translation (CAT) environment designed for use within the GNU Emacs text editor. Created by Eric Abrahamsen and released in 2020, it is built upon Org-mode to provide a structured interface for translation workflows. The package is an official part of the GNU Project and is distributed via GNU ELPA.

## Key Facts
- **Nature:** An Org-based translation environment and minor mode for GNU Emacs.
- **Primary Use:** Computer-assisted translation.
- **Creator:** Eric Abrahamsen.
- **Inception:** September 16, 2020.
- **Software License:** Q27016754 (Free Software).
- **Aliases:** `emacs-org-translate`.
- **Dependencies:** Requires GNU Emacs and Org-mode.
- **Programming Language:** Written in Emacs Lisp.
- **Distribution:** Part of the GNU Project via GNU ELPA (GNU Emacs Lisp Package Archive).
- **Latest Recorded Version:** 0.1.4 (released March 12, 2022).

## FAQs
### Q: What is org-translate used for?
A: Org-translate is used for computer-assisted translation. It provides an environment within GNU Emacs where users can manage and execute translation tasks leveraging the structural features of Org-mode.

### Q: Who created and maintains org-translate?
A: The software was created by Eric Abrahamsen, who has maintained it since its inception in 2020.

### Q: How is org-translate distributed?
A: It is distributed as a GNU ELPA package, making it part of the official GNU Project software library, and its source code is hosted on GNU Savannah.

## Why It Matters
Org-translate represents a significant intersection of the powerful organizational capabilities of Org-mode and the specialized needs of translators. While many translation tools are standalone applications, org-translate integrates directly into the Emacs ecosystem, allowing translators to remain within a single, highly customizable environment for writing, coding, and project management. 

By utilizing Org-mode, the tool offers a unique approach to translation files, treating them as structured data that can be easily navigated, searched, and manipulated using standard Emacs commands. This caters specifically to users who prioritize free software principles and workflow efficiency, offering a lightweight, scriptable alternative to heavier, proprietary translation suites. Its inclusion in the GNU Project underscores its relevance as a standard tool for the Emacs community.

## Notable For
- **Integration:** Being one of the few translation environments natively integrated into Org-mode and GNU Emacs.
- **Ecosystem:** Its official status as a package in GNU ELPA (part of the GNU Project).
- **Architecture:** Functioning as a "minor mode" in Emacs, allowing it to coexist with other editing modes.
- **Heritage:** Extending the utility of Org-mode—typically used for note-taking and project planning—into the domain of professional translation.

## Body

### Development and History
Org-translate was initiated by Eric Abrahamsen in 2020. The project is written in Emacs Lisp, the core scripting language of GNU Emacs. The software is closely tied to the GNU ecosystem, both in its licensing (Free Software) and its distribution method via the Emacs Lisp Package Archive (ELPA).

The initial version (Version 0) was committed to the repository on September 16, 2020. Shortly thereafter, the first stable version (0.1) was released on September 21, 2020, marking its official availability to the Emacs community.

### Technical Specifications
The software functions as a "minor mode" within Emacs. It strictly depends on two major components to function:
*   **GNU Emacs:** The extensible, customizable text editor.
*   **Org-mode:** a major mode for keeping notes, authoring documents, and planning projects.

The source code is maintained in a Git repository hosted on GNU Savannah, the central repository for the GNU Project.

### Version History
Since its inception, org-translate has seen several updates, primarily categorized as bug-fix or legacy releases:
*   **v0:** Initial version released September 16, 2020.
*   **v0.1:** The first stable version, released September 21, 2020.
*   **v0.1.1:** A bug-fix release issued September 23, 2020.
*   **v0.1.2:** Released October 15, 2020.
*   **v0.1.3:** Released December 9, 2020.
*   **v0.1.4:** A subsequent update released March 12, 2022.

## References

1. [Source](https://elpa.gnu.org/packages/org-translate.html)
2. [Source](https://git.savannah.gnu.org/cgit/emacs/elpa.git/commit/?h=externals/org-translate&id=fbd9d57d0e75eb8c4c940448573d78b8e5eb4401)
3. [[GNU ELPA] org-translate version 0.1. 2020](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2020-09/msg00022.html)
4. [[GNU ELPA] org-translate version 0.1.1. 2020](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2020-09/msg00025.html)
5. [[GNU ELPA] org-translate version 0.1.2. 2020](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2020-10/msg00011.html)
6. [[GNU ELPA] org-translate version 0.1.3. 2020](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2020-12/msg00010.html)
7. [[GNU ELPA] Org-Translate version 0.1.4. 2022](https://lists.gnu.org/archive/html/gnu-emacs-sources/2022-03/msg00022.html)