Lindy Walton
Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
I would like to respond to this conversation regarding the Nemeth certification exam and the professional expectations of a transcriber seeking certification. First, I will summarize braille training and certification options available to us.
The Literary Braille course published by the Library of Congress prepares one to take the Literary Braille certification exam which is the baseline certification for a transcriber. The literary braille certificate attests to the transcriber's ability to braille a library book, observing all the fundamental rules of the EBAE code. Library book formatting is taught as part of the literary course.
Many transcribers continue their training in order to produce braille textbooks and to produce work that falls beyond the scope of the literary code--math, foreign language, music, computer, chemistry, tactile graphics. The Library of Congress offers certification for music and math; textbook formatting certification is available through NBA. These are advanced exams for advanced certificates.
After passing the Braille Formats certification exam, a person has the tools to transcribe any kind of textbook at any level in any subject other than those covered by their own specific codes or guidelines (math, foreign language, music, computer, chemistry, tactile graphics). The rules of Braille Formats affect the transcription of textbooks brailled in any code, so long as there is not a specific contradictory rule in that other code . For example, Nemeth code has no specific rules for front matter, for headings, for literary lists, for boxed materials, or for tables. In these areas, as in certain others, the Braille Formats rules must be followed. When the Nemeth Code has a specific rule that contradicts Braille Formats, the Nemeth code rule must be followed. Examples of this include the formatting of itemized material, for displayed expressions, or for keying items in a table.
"An Introduction to Braille Mathematics" is an advanced course, appropriate only for an experienced transcriber. Perhaps there should be a prerequisite of a Braille Formats certification before a student is allowed into the Nemeth course, but that is as highly impractical as it is unlikely. At one point in history, a Nemeth student had to prove two years of textbook experience before being allowed to begin the course. Time and situations changed that, but still there is an expectation that a student taking the Nemeth course knows Braille Formats. Only the formats specific to the Nemeth code are covered in the Nemeth course. If a student passes all sixteen lessons but does not know Braille Formats, he is unlikely to pass the exam--nor should he, since all math material is textbook in nature.
Another point to understand is that a certification exam is not designed to be a teaching tool. The exam is testing the transcriber's ability to interpret and apply the braille codes and to understand the nature of the text in order to make logical formatting decisions. Errors are not specifically noted in the final report. When the code citations listed in the report are studied, the transcriber's problem-solving skills should lead her to understand and locate the infraction.
Nemeth certification attests that the transcriber can transcribe any math and science textbook at any level. Because Nemeth certification is a green light for a transcriber to take on advanced textbook work in math, physics, chemistry and science, failure to understand the basics of textbook formatting is a good reason not to be certified. I am sure you will agree that it is most important that people who don't know how are not given a certificate that says that they do.
edited by Lindy on 1/17/2012This will be a quick reply as I am away from my computer and resources but note that cancellations in fractions need not be spatially arranged when following the Chemistry Code. You may braille these fractions linearly.
[Note that *if you were to braille them spatially, the numerators should be centered over the fraction line.]
Hello. Thank you for your clear example. It is important to follow the spacing rules for Nemeth, not to try to copy print spacing. When dots 36 touch the letter (variable), the symbol becomes mathematical (a negative sign) and so your braille example misrepresents the problem and is confusing. This is an illustrative step-by-step example; I doubt the student will misunderstand the function of the coefficient.
Hello. Here is my reply to your three questions:
1. Are you sure a spatial arrangement is indicated? If so, there is no rule stating a minimum number of cells for a separation line, so a 1-cell line is fine.
2. Volume size is defined by the agency for whom you work. I am not aware of any recommended minimum count for a volume. Maximum sizes are stated in Braille Formats (Rule 1, Section 9) or as dictated by your production agency. Grade level, binding method, and paper thickness are among the considerations for establishing a maximum page count. Braille Formats suggests that braille volumes end at a logical break in thought, e.g., at the end of a unit, part, chapter, or section, and that "adherence to this principle is more important than maintaining uniform volume size throughout the braille edition."
3. In Nemeth Code, the "con" contraction is not in the list of restrictions for contractions in contact with a grouping sign. Yes, "con" should be contracted in (cont.) and yes, although it could be misread as (3t[sub]4) context should make it clear that it is to be read in a literary manner. There are few ambiguous constructions in this code, but they do exist.
Thank you for your question and your clear example attachment.
The Nemeth Code does not address format for remarks (sidenotes or editor comments). The format you are asking about is one borrowed from the Chemistry Code, Section 2.3 (3) which a lot of transcribers like to use. That rule states the following: "When remarks, conditions, or explanations appear with the [displayed/linked expression] start them on a new line and block this material six cells to the right of the anchor margin."
Your rewording "4 cells to the right of the linked expression’s runover" is the same idea but note that this is a *blocked format, so the runover to the remark you have shown in simbraille should also be in that same cell.
I followed the Google Docs link you provided -- thank you, that was very helpful.
My reply will repeat your questions:
1Q. Do I braille KEYS at the bottom of print pages, with exercise instructions, and with exercises. These KEYS are a reference to the material its printed close to, or to the print page it is at the bottom of.
1A. The keys are for the teacher or parent (obviously). If you are brailling the student copy, it is my opinion that you should ignore the keys. However, California may stipulate that you retain them. You need to ask the person who assigned this work to you to see if their inclusion is required. I surely hope not as they will take up so much room and the student need not read them. (If they are required, you can single space the key information.) Same advice for the "At Home" and "En Casa" information. I hope you are allowed to omit those. If required, I would ask if you could make a separate volume showing only those items, listed by page number. If no mathematical expressions are included in these teacher/parent notes, I don't see why you can't braille the separate volume in literary code.
2Q. Do I use the General Omission symbol for blank spaces for answers.
2A. Yes. Follow Nemeth omission rules (if print shows a line, you braille a long dash; if print shows nothing, braille the General Omission symbol).3Q. Can I use the shape indicator for blank squares and circles for answers; also some of the KEY numbers are in an ellipse (oval).
3A. Do not use the shape indicator in the early grades. See 6.8.1.1 in the new "Guidelines and Standards for Tactile Graphics." (link is given below)4Q. Can I use the multi-purpose symbol following a decimal point (e.g. 2.a).
4A. Yes. Follow Nemeth rules.5Q. Can I use the boldface and italic typeface indicators.
5A. Page 4 of Promising Practices (see link below) discusses this. If you feel it is necessary to include emphasis, follow Nemeth Code rules, but DO list the symbols on the Special Symbols page.6Q. Can I use print page numbers CS1, ...; B1. ...; KSH1....
6A. Sorry, I don't know what you mean. Follow print for page numbering. On the page corners, use Literary code; in the body of text, use Nemeth code.7Q. Do I move Table of Contents prior to brailling the pages mentioned, CS, KSH, and B.
7A. Sorry, I don't know what you mean.There are many fine guidelines in the new tactile graphics guidelines document posted on the web at http://www.brailleauthority.org/tg/web-manual/index.html
Unit 11 discusses graphics for early grades. Unit 6 discusses math and includes information on early grades.I also suggest studying Promising Practices, an APH publication, for more ideas and advice. http://www.aph.org/atic/practices.html
Note that you need to show the graphics and words associated with each page number. See BANA Update pages F7-F8.
Early grade math books take a lot of time to braille. Many graphics are needed, as well as a large dose of creative thinking. Good luck!
Dots (6, 3) function as a termination indicator following the rules of English Braille. This is required to be listed on the Special Symbols page according to that Code, even in a Nemeth transcription.
Dots (6, 3) function as a transcriber's grouping symbol following the rules of the Nemeth Code. Standard symbols of the Nemeth Code are not listed on the Special Symbols page.
Lindy Walton
When following the rules of the Braille Code for Chemical Notation 1997, chemical SYMBOLS do not use an English Letter Indicator, even if they are single letters or letter combinations that are the same as a short-form word. The Chem.Code uses the all-caps word SYMBOL be clear when discussing the elements. See Section 3.5 of the Chemistry Code. Look at Example 4.1.5-1 on page 22 to see that Cd--the SYMBOL for Cadmium--does not use an English Letter Indicator (ELI) in the narrative, even though "Cd" is a short-form word. You need to know what you are reading -- if C is the SYMBOL for carbon, you do not use an ELI. But if C is the abbreviation for Celsius, you do use an ELI following rules for abbreviations.
In your example, do not use ELIs with O (SYMBOL for oxygen) or with Al (SYMBOL for aluminum).
Lindy Walton
[quote=tjensen]Ok, so I am trying to understand this better and I appologize ahead of time for my ignorance.
If you have numbered questions with no answer choices I am supposed to set them at starting cell 1 with runovers in cell 3. If I have exercises or questions with sub-divisions or what I would consider (another section of the question)with answer choices the first question would be set start cell 1 with runover in cell 5, the sub-division is set start cell 3 with runover in cell 7.My confusion besides all of this 😉 is don't we set the answer choices in 3-7 also? Please advise and I am so very thankful for your patience and help.[/quote]
I am not sure if anyone is working or has posted an anwer to my 2nd question above?
Thank you for your advice
from "Still Confused" 😉Ok, so I am trying to understand this better and I appologize ahead of time for my ignorance.
If you have numbered questions with no answer choices I am supposed to set them at starting cell 1 with runovers in cell 3. If I have exercises or questions with sub-divisions or what I would consider (another section of the question)with answer choices the first question would be set start cell 1 with runover in cell 5, the sub-division is set start cell 3 with runover in cell 7.My confusion besides all of this 😉 is don't we set the answer choices in 3-7 also? Please advise and I am so very thankful for your patience and help.
Very interesting. I am discussing this with a colleague and will get back to you soon.
--Lindy
..later..
Thank you for challenging my original response. After discussing this with other experts, I have revised my answer.
edited by Lindy on 11/19/2011In their effort to understand your advice, the transcribers in our group had a follow-up question. Please see the attached document.
Thank you for considering this question as well.
Marie Amerson
Interestingly, the raised power of 3 is missing from this step, but .. brailling what I see .. each 4/3pi is canceled, and cancellation requires a spatial arrangement, so here is how to transcribe this step. (See attached file--sorry I answering from an old computer so I must send a .bmp file. Let me know if you can't open it.)
--Lindy Walton
I believe this question was answered in the Mathematics section of Ask an Expert and on the BANA TG working group...but if you still have a question about the decision...let me know. Both forums agreed that for K-3 grades, the shape should be used and NOT the shape indicator regardless of where the shape is used.
Diane
