[Lindy Walton]

Hi Tina. You are not the first person to wonder about this layout in the lesson book--I am sure your question will be appreciated by many readers of this forum.

In "An Introduction to Braille Mathematics," the numbers in parentheses organize the EXAMPLES but are not to be seen as ITEM NUMBERS. You will never see those numbers in the simbraille. If the example is illustrating itemized material, you will see the item number or letter separate from the example number. Look at the first FORMAT example (1) in Lesson 1, page 8, Section 13, to see what I mean.

As you know, there is no 1/1 paragraph format in the Nemeth code, unless of course it is a continuation of a paragraph following an interruption of some kind. You can assume that -- unless formatting is under discussion -- the example sentences are taken out of context of any formatting.

[Lindy Walton]

Lindy, you are wonderful! The simbraille example was most helpful, thank you.

[Lindy Walton]

Good morning, Chad.

I don't think I'm seeing the page correctly--I see nothing in the blank area to the left of the remarks. If my answers are unclear, please send another pdf file with those areas darkened somehow. Thanks.

1) In the addition portion of this problem (the invisible partial products are to be added), the rules for placement of the operation sign in spatial addition should be followed, which state that the plus symbol be placed one cell to the left of the widest numeric symbol in the arrangement above the separation line. (NC Rule XXIV, Sec.178b) Both separation lines will need to be long enough to extend one cell to the left of that plus symbol. The multiplication portion of the problem should remain to the right, as shown in print, with the separation line extending one cell beyond on the right side as well.

2) This is certainly an interesting problem. First of all, do not braille the examples side-by-side as they appear in print. The layout of each example will fit just as it appears in print if you arrange the examples vertically.
The problem with Example 1 is that the minus signs are printed in the subtraction portion of the layout. This means you need to allow for that column in the vertical arrangment, so the 2 in the hundreds place of the dividend will have to be preceded by a space. This goes against NC Sec.180b, but follow that rule and keep the division symbol unspaced from the divisor. Supply a general omission symbol after the negative sign that stands alone near the bottom of this problem. If the print page is shaded to show other missing digits (I can't tell from the pdf file) then supply more general omission symbols. The remarks will fit on the same line as shown in print, without runovers.

The down-pointing arrows should ideally be drawn as a tactile graphic. A second choice would be to explain them in a transcriber's note before each example. The first one could say "A down-pointing arrow is drawn beneath the numeral 8 in the dividend."

Let me know if you have further questions.

[Lindy Walton]

Example 2 is correct. (The beginning of the second sentence "Which are" needs to be restored though.)

Thank you for alerting me to the possible misinterpretation of this section. The reason you are instructed to delete that second line is because no such directive regarding line 1 on a braille page is given in the Nemeth Code. In the new errata to "An Introduction to Braille Mathematics" efforts were made to remove statements made in the lesson book that are not Nemeth Code rules.

Clarifications of or changes to rules that have proven to be ambiguous are being posted on the BANA website under "Latest Code Updates" after approval by the BANA committees. In April of 2011 a change was made to Rule XXV Sections 191a(v) and 191b(vi) which eliminated the blank line between a cell 5 heading and instructions which immediately follow such a heading. In the new errata/addenda to AN INTRODUCTION TO BRAILLE MATHEMATICS the wording of Section 28 in was changed to reflect this new rule and in so doing we also removed the wording that had been added.

Your question has to do with instructions that start on line 1 of a document when the document does not employ a running head. When layouts are not given in the Nemeth Code--this one is not--we are instructed to follow EBAE or Braille Formats. I am happy to see that the new Braille Formats 2011 gives a statement regarding line 1 as it relates to exercise directions:

BF2011 Section 10: EXERCISE MATERIAL, 10.2 BLANK LINES: 10.2.2 Each exercise set, with accompanying directions, is preceded and followed by a blank line. Directions may begin on line 1 if no running head is used. Directions begin on line 3 when a running head is used.

[Lindy Walton]

Yes, use the ELI and PI -- the R in this example follows all NC definitions of a "single letter." (NC Sec.25-26 and Sec.37vii)

[Lindy Walton]

Hello and thank you for your question. You have discovered one of the differences between the Chemistry code (CC) and the Nemeth code (NC), namely that when following the CC, abbreviations are spaced as they are in print ... but when following the NC abbreviations are spaced according to specific spacing rules in Rule VIII of that code. Other differences between the two codes, as well as this one regarding abbreviations, are listed on page ix in the introduction to the CC. In section 9, spacing rules for abbreviations are further discussed. 9.1(5) applies here: "Space as in print." The example you cite is in this section and illustrates an unspaced abbreviation "C" (Celsius) -- the abbreviation is unspaced in print and in the braille transcription. The second "C" illustrates the fact that abbreviations are punctuated mathematically in the CC -- another difference from the NC.

Note the two appearances of the abbreviation "g" (gram) in this print example. Clearly this abbreviation is spaced in print. The braille transcription also shows it to be spaced, now requiring the ELI.

The reason the final "C" in this example is spaced in braille is because it follows a sign of operation (NC Sec.54b and CC Introduction, final paragraph).

There is no errata for the Braille Code for Chemical Notation 1997; no errors have been reported. Please continue to ask questions when you don't understand a rule in that code -- it does require careful study in order to apply correctly. Learn from the rules, not only from the simbraille examples.

[Lindy Walton]

Thanks, Lindy!

[Lindy Walton]

In work arranged spatially, only the general omission symbol (full cell) is used to show omissions. NC Sec.58.
Do not use a shape symbol for a shaded square in a spatial arrangement.
The general omission symbol is not a numeric symbol, even if it is representing a missing numeral, so there is no need for a dot 5 between the r and the full cell.

[Lindy Walton]

Please see one of the attached files (ABT or BRF) for the braille transcription. Because layout is important with this example, I am not able to include it in the body of this message. Let me know if you cannot open either file, and also let me know if you have further questions.

[Lindy Walton]

Following current rules, here is how to braille the section labels:

First example:
print: AII/T.18.b-AII/T.18.d

braille:
[braille],A,,II_/,T".18."B-,A,,II_/,T".18."D

Explanation:
Use cap A for the "A" and cap T for the "T" -- no ELIs since they do not stand alone. [NC Sec.27.g]
Use double-cap II for the Roman numeral. [NC Sec.18.a]
The "dot" is considered to be a decimal, which is a numeric symbol, so it requires the use of the multipurpose indicator as follows: after a letter and before a decimal; after a decimal and before a letter. [NC Sec.177.ii and 177.v]

Unfortunately, this makes for a very long construction.

If these references occur [u]frequently[/u] throughout your transcription, I don't think it would be frowned upon to write a note on the Transcriber's Notes page stating that you are omitting the decimal points from the section labels. This would make them slightly more compact and a bit easier to read. Like this:

[braille],A,,II_/,T"18B-,A,,II_/,T"18D

Note that a dot 5 is still required between a letter and the following number, otherwise the number becomes a subscript.

Second example:
print: AII.4.a et al.
braille:
[braille],A,,II".4."A ET AL4
or:
[braille],A,,II"4A ET AL4

I hope to hear a loud objection if this is considered to be bad practice.

[Lindy Walton]

What a great question. I am looking into this and will get back to you soon. The issues here have to do with letters (A and T as well as a b c d etc.), Roman numerals which look like letters but are actually numeric, and decimal points that use the same cell configuration as the Greek letter indicator.

[Lindy Walton]

This is a nice puzzle, isn't it?

The spacing of the items means that you should format the expressions as displayed material (because the items are "set apart from the body of the text" in print). NC Sec.188a.

The sample you sent is on text page 359. Is this the first time you have encountered this layout? If you are sharing the project with other transcribers, you need to be consistent in treatment.

[Lindy Walton]

I can completely accept your response to use BF97 to complete the bulleted list. I do wonder however why the Nemeth Code does not provide for a specific rule for Non-Numerated, Non-Lettered main entries with subdivisions, such as a bulleted list.

In a posting response for Displayed Material on 5/21/2010, https://www.nationalbraille.org/Forum/messages.aspx?TopicID=307 by Dorothy, the following question was asked:

Hello, I have the following itemized and displayed text in Nemeth:

1. Large and small animals … (should this itemized text be in 1-3 or 1-5?)

(displayed text below: Does the displayed text go in 5-3 or 3-7?)
Give some names of small animals:
Give some names of large animals:

The following response was given:

… I think I would treat this as a main item with subdivisions.

Let me offer this as food for thought.

I find the response given above gives credence to the thinking of treating non-numbered, non-lettered lists, and/or bulleted items as main entries and subdivisions according to the Nemeth Code in Rule XXV, §191.b.i, and ii (Main entry in cells 1-5 and the subdivision in cells 3-5). Otherwise, the displayed material following the numbered item above should have been displayed in cells 5-3 according to Rule XXV, §191.a.i, and iii, page(s) 193-194 of the Nemeth Code.
I would like to point out that I am aware when the Nemeth Code does not provide for a rule the transcriber must conform to BF97, BANA Updates 2007—2011.
I think in this case it would be helpful to come to a consensus on the main entries and subdivisions of non-numbered, non-lettered lists, like a bulleted list.

[Lindy Walton]

The decision whether or not to retain special typeface in the braille edition is the first step to my answer.

For clarity, we are often told to ignore typeface. Look at the list of "Special Typefaces Ignored" in Rule 3.1.a of BF97.
The list that follows that one--3.1.b "Special typefaces retained"--includes "words, phrases, or clauses to which particular attention is drawn" which of course makes sense. Without seeing your actual print document, I am guessing that all items enclosed in parentheses in this section are printed in italics, although I see that your simbraille in item #40 does not italicize the numerals.

I suggest that the parentheses are enough to draw attention to the items (are they answer choices?) and that by ignoring the italics you will be doing your reader a favor. A transcriber's note at the beginning of this section stating that "items in parentheses are printed in italics" gives you permission to do so.

Here are my direct answers to your two questions:

A. There is no rule prohibiting the use of the English Braille italic indicator for words or phrases which are enclosed within grouping signs.

B. Because is no mention of typeface in NC Rule, II, §10 we can assume it not a factor in the definition of an enclosed list.

[Lindy Walton]

Thank you for your clear question with attached illustration.

The Nemeth Code indentation pattern you cite applies to itemized material, which this is not. When there is no special format provided in the Nemeth Code, we follow rules and guidelines of EBAE and Braille Formats. The print document shows a table with bulleted items. It contains no displayed mathematical expressions. Follow the Literary Braille format of your choice regarding various ways to present this material. The one you are considering (1-5 and 3-7) works well.

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