[Ohio-talk] Changes to the Braille Code

Mon Nov 12 16:22:08 UTC 2012

Hi, Everyone,

It's worth pointing out that braille has been more or less under a constant state of change since its invention.  There is (for example) a whole set of contractions that no one at all uses anymore (except some linguists and code nerds).  As we bid a fond farewell to dot-6-y, we might go back and visit dot-5-x and dot-4-b and their like: all lost from the code without damage. These Grade III contractions are great fun and have speeded up my personal note taking considerably: I recommend them to you.  The books on Grade III braille are  on the NLS site as web-braille: here are the refs:

Haden, ruth R. 
The braille code [braille] : a guide to grade three : for first year high school 
Published: Louisville, Ky. : American Printing House for the Blind, 1963. 
(Embossed by the Illinois Braille and Sight Saving School). 
Book Number: BRA03950 
Note that you must be a Web Braille subscriber to access the book. 

Rodenberg, Lewis W. 
Key to grade three braille 
Published: Louisville, Ky. : American Printing House for the Blind, 1945. 
Book Number: BRA18832 
Note that you must be a Web Braille subscriber to access the book. 

Or, if that's too much fuss or you can't wait for the site to come back up, try this link which givbes you the grade III contractions list and links to the NLS books directly:

http://fridaynightlinguistics.org/brl/

All that said, the proposed changes are minimal and pose no problem for learners or readers: it's akin to the momentary surprise you might have found when reading a book brailled in the UK which has slightly different conventions in some places, or the moderate novelty of reading a book brailled in the 1950s with this slightly different set of contractions. The changes appear to me to be analogous to the introduction of a new font (in the ink print world).  

Not that I precisely like these changes personally.  If you're asking just me, I'd advocate that we increase the number of contractions, adding in most of what you'll find in those grade III refs.  I like braille the way I personally read and write it--with lots of extras, and that makes good linguistics sense.  But the important thing is that these changes are not inherently destructive and shouldn't do anything to literacy rates unless lots of people object so vigorously that they stop advocating for braille.  We can kill braille by fighting, but it's unlikely to die from UEB.

All that said, there's enough influx of refreshable braille technology that we will soon be able to have books contracted any way we like: feel inclined to use dot-6-y or dot-5-x?  Just tell your software that's what you'd like and it's yours.  As prices come down on these devices, they will soon be more available than hardcopy braille.  And then, you can have it any way you like it: uncontracted, contracted-traditional, UEB, grade III, half Grade III or with a cherry on top!  And efficient readers who want more contractions can always have them: all the way to dot-5-x.

So I would not have advocated for UEB really, but I won't stop supporting NAPUB even if I feel like BANA has uglified braille.  If you already miss the 9 contractions that are headed south, check out the Grade III refs: they'll make you feel better!  They're lovely.

Peace,

Sheri

-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio-talk [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Barbara Pierce
Sent: Monday, November 12, 2012 8:32 AM
To: 'NFB of Ohio Announcement and Discussion List'
Subject: Re: [Ohio-talk] OUR NFB FAMILY

As the president of Ohio NAPUB, I guess I had better stick my oar into this discussion. Milena, your analogy  seems a bit forced. We are talking about retiring nine contractions out of something over 200. That is hardly similar to a drunken brawl of a family reunion. It is maybe more like a bottle of wine or six-pack of beer appearing at a big reunion. You are not required to get drunk, just not fling a fit if a few adults enjoy a drink. NAPUB has had nothing to do with bringing this change about. That is the job of BANA, and BANA made the decision they did. Readers of contracted Braille will perhaps notice that a few words are written differently. The dropped j to mean by is one that  I recall. That loss will not blot out the sun for me. The decision to preserve Nemeth code seems far more important, and I have to trust that the math and science folks know what they are talking about when they advocate this one. I will continue to use Braille and trust that those who spend their professional lives working with and thinking about issues surrounding Braille are in a better position than I am to pick our path across the Braille mine field. Milena's passionate response to this very small change demonstrates just how much people care about the code. 

I may not be so calm if the day comes when , as Kevin Kerry advocates, we do away with contracted Braille altogether. I have heard more than one expert with data to support the contention say that uncontracted Braille can be read as fast and by many more people. Can't you just hear the warring over that issue now?

Barbara

-----Original Message-----
From: Ohio-talk [mailto:ohio-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of mzavoli at roadrunner.com
Sent: Sunday, November 11, 2012 8:33 PM
To: Ohio-talk at nfbnet.org
Subject: [Ohio-talk] OUR NFB FAMILY

Hello Everyone,

To those that say that I should stand with the "family," why?  If I disagree with some of my family members,  it doesn't mean that I have to participate in the activities I don't like.

Take the case of a family reunion.  If more than 50% of the family members want to have a rip-roaring, drunken good time, am I obligated to bring beer and whiskey to the party?  Am I obligated to show up at all?

My solution would be not to go to the party.  I would not deny them as my family, but I could not, in good conscience, participate in this activity.

I love the NFB and NAPUB is part of my NFB family, but I do not wish to participate in NAPUB's activities at this time.  

I find their BANA activities as offensive as a drunken family party.

Stop tinkering with Braille!!!!!!!!!

Milena

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