Editing Braille

[[Category:Learning]]
Braille is a fascinating family of constructed languages relatively new in the history of humanity. This page contains my notes and tips on learning [https://iceb.org/ueb.html Unified English Braille] as a sighted adult. If I ever get a refreshable Braille display I'll make sure to learn [[wikipedia:Computer_Braille_Code|Braille Computer Notation]].

= Resources =
Visual books:

* [https://www.amazon.com.au/Braille-Sighted-Beginning-GP095/dp/0931993954 Braille for the Sighted]
* [https://www.amazon.com/Dottie-Dots-See-Animal-Spots/dp/0595471307 Dottie and Dots See Animal Spots] (I didn't find this one that useful)

Tactile books:

* [https://www.dk.com/uk/book/9780241228401-dk-braille-it-cant-be-true/ DK Braille It Can't Be True]

Electronic books:

* [https://iceb.org/Rules%20of%20Unified%20English%20Braille%202013%20(linked).pdf The Rules of Unified English Braille (Second Edition 2013)]
* [https://brailleaustralia.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/UEB-Australian-Training-Manual-Revised-September-2016.pdf Unified English Braille Australian Training Manual (2016)]

== Learning methods ==
My process so far has been this:

* Read Braille for the Sighted
* Memorize the braille symbols and dot numbers using flash cards
* Read DK Braille It Can't Be True!

The advantage of sight and being literate has made this process fairly easy so far.

This is slowly getting me to the point I can read uncontracted braille.

I don't have a method yet for learning contracted braille.

== Reading ==
Reading braille by touch is done by:

* Very very gently touching the reading surface
* Making sure you can feel an entire column of dots at once
* Moving your finger across the symbols at a steady speed
* Recognizing the imprint pattern the dots make on your finger

Reading braille by sight is done by looking at the symbols.

It's a bit confusing at first because you don't feel the dot pattern but the inverse of it, the empty space, as the pattern.

== Writing ==
I've been doing writing with a braille slate so far. You can buy these cheap from eBay.

Make sure to press hard to get good dot patterns.

== Flash cards ==
Here's how to make some flash cards using paper and a slate:

# Put the paper in the slate
# Write a symbol then leave three spaces to its left
# Continue until the row is full
# Move down two rows to leave a gap row
# Repeat the process
# Take the paper out of the slate
# Cut up the grid of symbols in to strips with just a symbol and its three spaces to the left
# Pick a symbol and fold its left side up towards you
# Turn it over and write the symbol and its dot numbers
# Repeat for all the other symbols
# Put them in a pile

Now when it's time to use them:

# Close your eyes
# Grab a random symbol strip
# Orient yourself using the left fold
# Run your finger over the symbol and identify it and its dots
# Open your eyes
# Flip the paper over and check if you were correct
# Set it aside if you were correct or put it back in the pile if you were incorrect
# Repeat until you have nothing left in the pile