diff --git a/python/louis/__init__.py.in b/python/louis/__init__.py.in
index 99ed32d1..25307b47 100644
--- a/python/louis/__init__.py.in
+++ b/python/louis/__init__.py.in
@@ -120,7 +120,7 @@ def charSize():
     """
     return liblouis.lou_charSize()
 
-def translate(tableList, inbuf, typeform=None, cursorPos=0, mode=0):
+def translate(tableList, inbuf, typeform=None, cursorPos=0, mode=0, outLen=0):
     """Translate a string of characters, providing position information.
     @param tableList: A list of translation tables.
     @type tableList: list of str
@@ -133,6 +133,8 @@ def translate(tableList, inbuf, typeform=None, cursorPos=0, mode=0):
     @type cursorPos: int
     @param mode: The translation mode; add multiple values for a combined mode.
     @type mode: int
+    @param outLen: desired output buffer lenght in characters - typically corresponding with a braille display line length
+    @type outLen: int
     @return: A tuple of: the translated string,
         a list of input positions for each position in the output,
         a list of output positions for each position in the input, and
@@ -144,7 +146,10 @@ def translate(tableList, inbuf, typeform=None, cursorPos=0, mode=0):
     tablesString = _createTablesString(tableList)
     inbuf = createStr(inbuf)
     inlen = c_int(len(inbuf))
-    outlen = c_int(inlen.value*outlenMultiplier)
+    if outLen >0:
+        outlen = c_int(outLen*outlenMultiplier)
+    else:
+        outlen = c_int(inlen.value*outlenMultiplier)
     outbuf = create_unicode_buffer(outlen.value)
     typeformbuf = None
     if typeform: