Lindy Walton
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Since the single letter n can be transcribed in either code (UEB or Nemeth), either transcription is acceptable. Personally, I find it to be smoother reading if you use the single-word switches because this means only one opening Nemeth Code indicator and only one Nemeth Code terminator are needed.
Lindy
True, the suggestion we make about reading the math without the words does work here (2.5 + 2.5 DOES = 5). I would be surprised to see this example in a textbook because it is incomplete. I would expect to see 2.5 pounds + 2.5 pounds = 5 pounds, in which case the words definitely are part of the equality.
I agree with you that the problem you show can be interpreted either way. Here is where the transcriber would need to make a decision and then apply it consistently throughout the transcription.
Lindy
Since S.A. is an unspaced abbreviation, option 1 is correct. I can't find a specific rule about this stated in the code, but Example 10-45 in Rule 10 illustrates a 2-letter abbreviation with periods (p.e.) in a math expression, and there are no English-letter indicators present.
Since the sentence in your sample says "surface area", it *should be clear that S.A. is an abbreviation and not S4A4 but if this is a test, out of of context, I suggest inserting an embedded transcriber's note after "surface area" showing S.A. there as well (in UEB).
Thank you for this interesting question.
Lindy
Hi Mike.
This is a difficult question for me to answer.
I agree that mathematical symbols which have no mathematical meaning should be handled differently. But the Nemeth code book doesn't address this beyond certain symbols used in literary-only context such as a decimal point in a section number where the UEB "dot" is used.
However, I do not think the UEB symbols should be used for the equals sign or for the arrows in your example.
So what to do with symbols that are used to replace words? I am going out on my favorite limb again and suggesting that non-mathematical symbol be replaced by the word it represents, enclosed between TN indicators. You must be certain what the symbol means.
For example,
Sympathetic stimulation (tnelevatedtn HR, tnelevatedtn BP, tnelevatedtn intracranial pressure)
Patient self-reporting by numerical rating scale tnequalstn gold standard for assessing pain tnleads totn challenge in the ICU
State in a TN or on the TN page that you are replacing certain symbols with words.
I don't think this violates Rule 4.4.6.
Please correct me -- anyone -- if this is not a good idea.
- Lindy
If the programming language is shown in a different font (as on an input screen), it is to be transcribed in UEB Technical. The sample you sent shows a math expression displayed to text, which is to be transcribed in Nemeth.
If you have questions about UEB Technical, you can post on that forum page and Kyle can chime in.
Good luck with this challenging assignment!
Lindy
I stand corrected! I couldn't find this symbol in any of my resources. I'm glad I asked a mathematician.
Equals followed by equals is a symbol with a specific meaning. To transcribe the symbol, follow Rule 24.1.f which says this: "The multipurpose indicator is used between two symbols of comparison to indicate that the corresponding signs of comparison are printed horizontally and not vertically."
.K".K
Then follow Rule 26.2 to select the runover site: start the runover line with the first equals sign.
The double equals sign is also found in programming, which is not the case here as far as I can tell.
Lindy
Hi Pamela. Can you send an image of this example please? I'm not sure how to answer this out of context. Thank you.
Lindy
If you have a sound reason for using sans serif type with the letter W in this statement (I'm not sure I would, without seeing the context), then yes. When typeform is retained for a mathematical letter, an alphabetic indicator is also required. See Rule 7.2.1 of the Nemeth Code.
Thank you for this question. I have an answer! The two column headings are mnemonics for students to remember how to count oxidation numbers.
R means Reduction; G means gain (the species is gaining electrons) …so the oxidation number goes to the left on the number line (becomes more negative) or goes down (down arrow).
O means Oxidation; L means losing (the species is losing electrons) … so the oxidation number goes to the right on the number line (becomes more positive) or goes up (up arrow).
The arrows have no chemical meaning and are just representative of a direction of how the numbers increase or decrease.
With that in mind, I suggest using Nemeth arrows here, preceded and followed by a space. See attached file. Because these are column headings, I am including the seven rows in the transcription.
FYI: Another mnemonic that is used is OIL RIG (oxidation is loss, reduction is gain) for students to remember how the electrons are transferred.
Hi. I'm asking a few chemists about this unusual notation. I'll have an answer for you soon!
- Lindy
Thank you for following up on this topic. Here is my long answer.
It is not a requirement for the reference symbol to be in the same code as its reference point. Depending on how you format this table, Nemeth may not be continuing after the referenced material. (That is how I was imagining it when I looked at the print.) I do agree with you, though, that it would be rather bulky to switch out of Nemeth, enter a UEB symbol, and switch back into Nemeth simply to avoid devising a symbol for the reference marker. However, in this case, you will not need to devise a symbol. Nemeth symbols already exist for the two in question (the section sign and the double bar).
The point being made in Rule 9 about UEB reference symbols not being used means UEB symbols cannot be used inside the switches. This applies to any braille construction, not just reference symbols. (A noted exception is icons.) There are other scenarios when one must terminate Nemeth in order to braille a UEB symbol, then switch back into Nemeth to continue; so this practice is allowed if that is your preference.
You will notice that the four reference symbols listed in Rule 9 of the Nemeth code (asterisk, single dagger, double dagger, and star) are the same exact constructions as their operation sign counterparts in Rule 20. These are not new symbols, they are just listed as possible reference signs. There is no reason you cannot go ahead and use the Nemeth section symbol and the Nemeth double bar symbol as reference symbols even though they are not listed as such in Rule 9.* Use (1256, 1256) for the double bar. (Dots 4, 6 do not hold special meaning.) Follow the spacing rules for symbols of reference which are stated in NC 9.3.
Since the section symbol and double bar symbol are existing Nemeth symbols, there is no need to explain their usage in a transcriber's note unless you feel it would be helpful for the reader to be prepared that they do not hold mathematical meaning in this case.
As you noted in the last paragraph of NC 9.1, if you are using the Nemeth symbol in the text, you must also use the Nemeth symbol in the note itself. This may require the addition of code switch indicators depending on what precedes and follows the reference symbol in the note.
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* I thought it would be funny to include a footnote to my commentary. The paragraph sign and the section signs as reference markers were removed from the updated code book because it was thought that this usage was obsolete. It looks like you have found an exception! I'm wondering what the copyright date is on this material?
Shellee,
What a find! This is indeed an unusual collection of reference marks. I think it would be best to transcribe as many of them in UEB as possible. Some of them will be transcribed in UEB already; for the others you can terminate Nemeth and then insert the UEB symbol. UEB has specific symbols for the dagger, double dagger, section sign, and paragraph sign. (See UEB page 20.) You would need to devise shape symbols for the star and the double vertical bar according to UEB 3.22.
Good luck. Let me know if you come upon further issues.
-Lindy
