diff --git a/include/lang/ca.rem b/include/lang/ca.rem
index 04661cc8..b9afd6d3 100644
--- a/include/lang/ca.rem
+++ b/include/lang/ca.rem
@@ -51,3 +51,5 @@ FSET subst_hours(h) iif(h==1, "1 hora", h + " hores")
 SET $Is "és"
 SET $Was "va ser"
 SET $And "i"
+
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "ca"
diff --git a/include/lang/da.rem b/include/lang/da.rem
index 4c7ed4c4..f198dcbf 100644
--- a/include/lang/da.rem
+++ b/include/lang/da.rem
@@ -67,3 +67,5 @@ FSET subst_hx(alt, d, t) "den " + zeropad(day(d), 2) + $DateSep + zeropad(monnum
 FSET subst_ix(alt, d, t) "den " + zeropad(monnum(d), 2) + $DateSep + zeropad(day(d), 2)
 FSET subst_ux(alt, d, t) subst_ax(alt, d, t)
 FSET subst_vx(alt, d, t) subst_gx(alt, d, t)
+
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "da"
diff --git a/include/lang/de.rem b/include/lang/de.rem
index 7b13ccee..f5fd527b 100644
--- a/include/lang/de.rem
+++ b/include/lang/de.rem
@@ -64,28 +64,13 @@ FSET subst_p(alt, d, t) iif(d == today()+1, "", "en")
 
 # Localization of various astronomical events
 
-# Perihelion
-SET earthseasons_Perihelion_str  "Perihel"
+TRANSLATE "Perihelion" "Perihel"
+TRANSLATE "Vernal Equinox" "Frühlingsanfang"
+TRANSLATE "Summer Solstice" "Sommeranfang"
+TRANSLATE "Aphelion" "Aphel"
+TRANSLATE "Autumnal Equinox" "Herbstanfang"
+TRANSLATE "Winter Solstice" "Winteranfang"
+TRANSLATE "Daylight Saving Time Starts" "Beginn Sommerzeit"
+TRANSLATE "Daylight Saving Time Ends" "Ende Sommerzeit"
 
-# Vernal equinox
-SET earthseasons_EquinoxMar_str  "Frühlingsanfang"
-
-# Summer solstice
-SET earthseasons_SolsticeJun_str "Sommeranfang"
-
-# Aphelion
-SET earthseasons_Aphelion_str    "Aphel"
-
-# Autumnal Equinox
-SET earthseasons_EquinoxSep_str  "Herbstanfang"
-
-# Winter Solstice
-SET earthseasons_SolsticeDec_str "Winteranfang"
-
-# Daylight saving time starts
-SET daylightST_starts_str        "Beginn Sommerzeit"
-
-# Daylight saving time ends
-SET daylightST_ends_str          "Ende Sommerzeit"
-
-PRESERVE earthseasons_Perihelion_str earthseasons_EquinoxMar_str earthseasons_SolsticeJun_str earthseasons_Aphelion_str earthseasons_EquinoxSep_str earthseasons_SolsticeDec_str daylightST_starts_str daylightST_ends_str
\ No newline at end of file
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "de"
diff --git a/include/lang/es.rem b/include/lang/es.rem
index d4c22c66..897c7f13 100644
--- a/include/lang/es.rem
+++ b/include/lang/es.rem
@@ -46,3 +46,5 @@ SET $Hplu "s"
 SET $Mplu "s"
 
 FSET subst_bx(a, d, t) "dentro de " + (d-today()) + " días"
+
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "es"
diff --git a/include/lang/fi.rem b/include/lang/fi.rem
index 6cced002..1bdde4d5 100644
--- a/include/lang/fi.rem
+++ b/include/lang/fi.rem
@@ -93,6 +93,8 @@ FSET subst_min_past(m) iif(m==0, "", m + " " + $Minute + iif(m==1, " ", $Mplu +
 FSET subst_hour_future(h) iif(h==0, "", h + " tunnin ")
 FSET subst_min_future(m) iif(m==0, "", m + " minuutin ")
 
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "fi"
+
 TRANSLATE "Missing ']'" "Puuttuva ']'"
 TRANSLATE "Missing quote" "Puuttuva lainausmerkki"
 TRANSLATE "Expression too complex" "Liian monimutkainen lauseke"
diff --git a/include/lang/fr.rem b/include/lang/fr.rem
index a6bdbb6e..e00185d7 100644
--- a/include/lang/fr.rem
+++ b/include/lang/fr.rem
@@ -61,6 +61,7 @@ FSET subst_jx(alt, date, time) iif(alt, subst_j_alt(date), $On + " " + subst_j_a
 FSET subst_k_alt(date) wkday(date) + ", " + day(date) + subst_ordinal(day(date)) + " " + mon(date)
 FSET subst_kx(alt, date, time) iif(alt, subst_k_alt(date), $On + " " + subst_k_alt(date))
 
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "fr"
 
 TRANSLATE "Missing ']'" "']' manquant"
 TRANSLATE "Missing quote" "Apostrophe manquant"
diff --git a/include/lang/gr.rem b/include/lang/gr.rem
index d82edf23..434529b8 100644
--- a/include/lang/gr.rem
+++ b/include/lang/gr.rem
@@ -56,30 +56,13 @@ FSET subst_gx(alt, d, t) iif(alt, subst_g_alt(d), $On + " " + subst_g_alt(d))
 FSET subst_ux(alt, d, t) subst_ax(alt, d, t)
 FSET subst_vx(alt, d, t) subst_gx(alt, d, t)
 
-# Localization of various astronomical events
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "gr"
 
-# Perihelion
-SET earthseasons_Perihelion_str  "Περιήλιον"
-
-# Vernal equinox
-SET earthseasons_EquinoxMar_str  "Εαρινή ισημερία"
-
-# Summer solstice
-SET earthseasons_SolsticeJun_str "Θερινό ηλιοστάσιο"
-
-# Aphelion
-SET earthseasons_Aphelion_str    "Αφήλιον"
-
-# Autumnal Equinox
-SET earthseasons_EquinoxSep_str  "Φθινοπωρινή ισημερία"
-
-# Winter Solstice
-SET earthseasons_SolsticeDec_str "Χειμερινό ηλιοστάσιο"
-
-# Daylight saving time starts
-SET daylightST_starts_str        "Έναρξη θέρους"
-
-# Daylight saving time ends
-SET daylightST_ends_str          "Τέλος θέρους"
-
-PRESERVE earthseasons_Perihelion_str earthseasons_EquinoxMar_str earthseasons_SolsticeJun_str earthseasons_Aphelion_str earthseasons_EquinoxSep_str earthseasons_SolsticeDec_str daylightST_starts_str daylightST_ends_str
+TRANSLATE "Perihelion" "Περιήλιον"
+TRANSLATE "Vernal Equinox" "Εαρινή ισημερία"
+TRANSLATE "Summer Solstice" "Θερινό ηλιοστάσιο"
+TRANSLATE "Aphelion" "Αφήλιον"
+TRANSLATE "Autumnal Equinox" "Φθινοπωρινή ισημερία"
+TRANSLATE "Winter Solstice" "Χειμερινό ηλιοστάσιο"
+TRANSLATE "Daylight Saving Time Starts" "Έναρξη θέρους"
+TRANSLATE "Daylight Saving Time Ends" "Τέλος θέρους"
diff --git a/include/lang/is.rem b/include/lang/is.rem
index ed5e367b..420a290b 100644
--- a/include/lang/is.rem
+++ b/include/lang/is.rem
@@ -49,3 +49,5 @@ SET $Mplu "r"
 
 FSET subst_bx(a, d, t) "eftir " + (d - today()) + " daga"
 fset subst_p(a, d, t) iif(d == today()+1, "", "a")
+
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "is"
diff --git a/include/lang/it.rem b/include/lang/it.rem
index e17b4317..901f3089 100644
--- a/include/lang/it.rem
+++ b/include/lang/it.rem
@@ -65,3 +65,5 @@ FSET subst_hours(h) iif(h==1, "1 ora", h + " ore")
 
 FSET subst_0(a, d, t) iif(abs(now()-t)/60==1, "a", "e")
 FSET subst_9(a, d, t) iif(abs(now()-t)%60==1, "o", "i")
+
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "it"
diff --git a/include/lang/nl.rem b/include/lang/nl.rem
index 1837ec3e..486b0f97 100644
--- a/include/lang/nl.rem
+++ b/include/lang/nl.rem
@@ -55,6 +55,8 @@ FSET subst_hours(h) iif(h==1, "1 uur", h + " uren")
 
 FSET subst_bx(a, d, t) "over " + (d-today()) + " dagen"
 
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "nl"
+
 TRANSLATE "New Moon" "Nieuwe maan"
 TRANSLATE "First Quarter" "Eerste kwartier"
 TRANSLATE "Full Moon" "Volle maan"
diff --git a/include/lang/no.rem b/include/lang/no.rem
index d6e6abfc..cdae168d 100644
--- a/include/lang/no.rem
+++ b/include/lang/no.rem
@@ -56,3 +56,6 @@ FSET subst_g_alt(d) wkday(d) + ", den " + day(d) + ". " + mon(d)
 FSET subst_ux(a, d, t) subst_ax(a, d, t)
 FSET subst_vx(a, d, t) subst_gx(a, d, t)
 FSET subst_p(a, d, t) iif(d==today()+1, "", "er")
+
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "no"
+
diff --git a/include/lang/pl.rem b/include/lang/pl.rem
index 52bfa032..d9295d59 100644
--- a/include/lang/pl.rem
+++ b/include/lang/pl.rem
@@ -68,6 +68,8 @@ FSET subst_1past(diff) iif(diff/60==0, subst_1min(diff%60), diff%60==0, subst_1h
 FSET subst_1min(m) m + " " + $Minute + subst_pl_plu(m)
 FSET subst_1h(h) h + " " + $Hour + subst_pl_plu(h)
 
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "pl"
+
 TRANSLATE "Ok" "OK"
 TRANSLATE "Missing ']'" "Brakujący ']'"
 TRANSLATE "Missing quote" "Brakujący nawias"
diff --git a/include/lang/pt.rem b/include/lang/pt.rem
index 3f0ee5cb..0f377f3c 100644
--- a/include/lang/pt.rem
+++ b/include/lang/pt.rem
@@ -68,6 +68,8 @@ FSET subst_1help(diff) iif(diff/60==0, subst_mplu(diff%60), diff%60==0, subst_hp
 FSET subst_mplu(m) iif(m==1, "1 " + $Minute, m + " " + $Minute + $Mplu)
 FSET subst_hplu(h) iif(h==1, "1 " + $Hour, h + " " + $Hour + $Hplu)
 
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "pt"
+
 TRANSLATE "Missing ']'" "Falta um ']'"
 TRANSLATE "Missing quote" "Falta uma aspa"
 TRANSLATE "Expression too complex" "Expressao muito complexa"
diff --git a/include/lang/ro.rem b/include/lang/ro.rem
index 704b51e3..bcbfce7f 100644
--- a/include/lang/ro.rem
+++ b/include/lang/ro.rem
@@ -66,3 +66,5 @@ FSET subst_1helper(diff, when) when + iif(diff%60==0, subst_1h(diff/60), diff/60
 FSET subst_1h(h) iif(h==1, "1 oră", h + " ore")
 FSET subst_1m(m) iif(m==1, "1 minut", m + " minute")
 FSET subst_0(a, d, t) iif(abs(t-now())/60==1, "ă", "e")
+
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "ro"
diff --git a/man/remind.1.in b/man/remind.1.in
index 04227aee..f6077f12 100644
--- a/man/remind.1.in
+++ b/man/remind.1.in
@@ -5714,6 +5714,18 @@ system variables \fIexcept for\fR \fB$Hplu\fR and \fB$Mplu\fR.
 .PP
 The converse does not apply; creating a translation table entry for
 "December" does not automatically set \fB$December\fR.
+.PP
+The translation table always contains a special entry \fBLANGID\fR whose
+default value is \fBen\fR.  Translators are encouraged to add a \fBLANGID\fR
+entry in their language files.  For example, if you write a translation
+file for the Dutch language, add this line:
+.PP
+.nf
+        TRANSLATE "LANGID" "nl"
+.fi
+.PP
+Scripts can use \fB_("LANGID")\fR to query the translation language that is
+in effect.
 .SH LANGUAGE PACKS
 .PP
 \fBRemind\fR ships with a number of language packs, which are simply reminder
diff --git a/src/trans.c b/src/trans.c
index 9e2a522a..d1eca56a 100644
--- a/src/trans.c
+++ b/src/trans.c
@@ -195,6 +195,7 @@ InitTranslationTable(void)
         fprintf(stderr, "Unable to initialize translation hash table: Out of memory.  Exiting.\n");
         exit(1);
     }
+    InsertTranslation("LANGID", "en");
 }
 
 static XlateItem *
@@ -286,6 +287,9 @@ DoTranslate(ParsePtr p)
             if (item) {
                 RemoveTranslation(item);
             }
+            if (!strcmp(DBufValue(&orig), "LANGID")) {
+                InsertTranslation("LANGID", "en");
+            }
             r = OK;
         }
         DBufFree(&orig);
diff --git a/tests/test.cmp b/tests/test.cmp
index 7eaab25f..41472285 100644
--- a/tests/test.cmp
+++ b/tests/test.cmp
@@ -5980,10 +5980,12 @@ _("Hello") => "Hallo!!!!!"
 
 TRANSLATE DUMP
 # Translation table
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "en"
 TRANSLATE "Hello" "Hallo!!!!!"
 TRANSLATE CLEAR
 TRANSLATE DUMP
 # Translation table
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "en"
 set a _("Hello")
 _("Hello") => "Hello"
 
@@ -5994,6 +5996,18 @@ TRANSLATE "Quux" "OOOGHY"
 # Delete Bar translation
 TRANSLATE "Bar"
 
+# LANGID is a special case
+set a _("LANGID")
+_("LANGID") => "en"
+
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "nl"
+set a _("LANGID")
+_("LANGID") => "nl"
+
+TRANSLATE "LANGID"
+set a _("LANGID")
+_("LANGID") => "en"
+
 set a _("Wookie")
 _("Wookie") => "Bar"
 set a _("Bar")
@@ -6038,6 +6052,7 @@ TRANSLATE DUMP
 # Translation table
 TRANSLATE "Wookie" "Bar"
 TRANSLATE "Friday" "TxFriday"
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "en"
 TRANSLATE "Monday" "TxMonday"
 TRANSLATE "Tuesday" "TxTuesday"
 TRANSLATE "at" "Txat"
@@ -6073,14 +6088,15 @@ TRANSLATE "May" "TxMay"
 TRANSLATE "Saturday" "TxSaturday"
 
 TRANSLATE "missing quote" "missing a quote
-../tests/test.rem(1247): Missing quote
+../tests/test.rem(1256): Missing quote
 TRANSLATE "missing quote
-../tests/test.rem(1248): Missing quote
+../tests/test.rem(1257): Missing quote
 
 DO torture-test.rem
 # Turn off some debugging to make output a bit easier on the eyes...
 DEBUG -xte
 # Translation table
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "en"
 TRANSLATE "We" "Survived"
 Dedup-0
 Dedup-1
@@ -16082,12 +16098,12 @@ Dedup-9996
 Dedup-9997
 Dedup-9998
 Dedup-9999
-../tests/test.rem(1253): `/': Ya tried to divide by zero, ya FOOOL!!!!!
-../tests/test.rem(1255): `/': Division by zero
+../tests/test.rem(1262): `/': Ya tried to divide by zero, ya FOOOL!!!!!
+../tests/test.rem(1264): `/': Division by zero
   Var hash: total = 100141; maxlen = 5; avglen = 1.142
  Func hash: total = 100016; maxlen = 5; avglen = 1.140
 Dedup hash: total = 10000; maxlen = 7; avglen = 1.828
-Trans hash: total = 1; maxlen = 1; avglen = 0.059
+Trans hash: total = 2; maxlen = 1; avglen = 0.118
  Expression nodes allocated: 300096
 Expression nodes high-water: 300073
     Expression nodes leaked: 0
@@ -23542,7 +23558,7 @@ No reminders.
   Var hash: total = 1; maxlen = 1; avglen = 0.059
  Func hash: total = 0; maxlen = 0; avglen = 0.000
 Dedup hash: total = 0; maxlen = 0; avglen = 0.000
-Trans hash: total = 0; maxlen = 0; avglen = 0.000
+Trans hash: total = 1; maxlen = 1; avglen = 0.059
  Expression nodes allocated: 512
 Expression nodes high-water: 499
     Expression nodes leaked: 0
@@ -24068,7 +24084,7 @@ No reminders.
   Var hash: total = 1; maxlen = 1; avglen = 0.059
  Func hash: total = 1; maxlen = 1; avglen = 0.059
 Dedup hash: total = 0; maxlen = 0; avglen = 0.000
-Trans hash: total = 1; maxlen = 1; avglen = 0.059
+Trans hash: total = 2; maxlen = 1; avglen = 0.118
  Expression nodes allocated: 300032
 Expression nodes high-water: 300000
     Expression nodes leaked: 0
diff --git a/tests/test.rem b/tests/test.rem
index 57809cdd..f9cddc02 100644
--- a/tests/test.rem
+++ b/tests/test.rem
@@ -1205,6 +1205,15 @@ TRANSLATE "Quux" "OOOGHY"
 # Delete Bar translation
 TRANSLATE "Bar"
 
+# LANGID is a special case
+set a _("LANGID")
+
+TRANSLATE "LANGID" "nl"
+set a _("LANGID")
+
+TRANSLATE "LANGID"
+set a _("LANGID")
+
 set a _("Wookie")
 set a _("Bar")
 set a _("Quux")