Scribe
Translation Editor
A community-owned, open-source editor for translating scripture and religious content. Simple, free, and built for real-world translation needs across desktop and web.
The Problem
Most scripture and religious text translation tools are proprietary, hard to use, and not built for real field workflows. Translators face significant barriers to ownership and efficiency:
- × Poor usability in complex proprietary software.
- × Limited offline support for remote regions.
- × Translators do not fully own or control their toolset.
The Solution
Scribe is a transparent, open-source platform featuring modular 'modes' tailored for specific translation tasks without vendor lock-in.
Text Editing (USFM)
Intuitive WYSIWYG editor for standard scripture formatting.
Audio & Oral Mode
Record and draft oral translations directly within the application.
Open Bible Stories (OBS)
Dedicated mode for translating story-based religious content.
Development
We leveraged a transparent development process on GitHub, powered by the open scripture tech community, ensuring modern tech support for open standards.
Architecture (Electron & React)
USFM & Burrito Integration
WYSIWYG Editor Core
Audio/Oral Translation Mode
Offline Sync & Logic
Multilingual UI (i18n)
Public Release
Field Impact
Scribe has empowered translators to work faster with minimal training, regardless of their internet connection or technical resources.
100%
User Owned
Users fully own their data and tools with no licensing costs. Scribe is free forever and developed transparently on GitHub.
Remote Ready
Designed specifically for low-resource contexts. Works fully offline, allowing translators to sync or backup only when connectivity permits.
Multimodal
Supports both text and audio workflows, accommodating oral translation cultures and different literacy levels efficiently.
Technology Stack
- React
- Electron
- Node.js
- Desktop
- Web / PWA
- Cross-OS
- USFM
- Burrito
- JSON
- Audio Rec
- Cloud Sync
- OBS Mode
Application Interface
Modular modes for text, audio, and storytelling workflows.
