TOC- blank line and front matter division

[Anne Lattanzi]

The 2017-04-07 Braille Bytes video, "Table of Contents," raised two points which could use clarification. (One
of us is preparing for the Formats certification exam.)

1) According to Braille Formats, (2.10.9,b & d), the volume division Transcriber Note is centered on a line by
itself, preceded by a blank line. 2.10.3,b states, "It is not followed by a blank line." 2.10.4,c states, "When more
than one centered heading appears on consecutive lines, a blank line is inserted before only the first one."
2.10.9,d states that with subsequent volume divisions, "No blank line follows the volume indicator." So, to
remove any ambiguity, is the following correct?

There is no blank line in a Table of Contents between a volume division TN (BF 2.10.9,b & d) and a
centered Unit, Part, or other primary division. (BF 2.10.3,d)

2) Braille Formats does not specify a simple rule for distinguishing print "front matter" and "body matter." In
section 19.3.a of Instruction Manual for Braille Transcribing, UEB Edition, 2015 "[lesson updated February 25,
2019]", the Instruction Manual states, "If there is a table of contents, regard the first item listed as the first page
of the body matter and begin numbering that section with braille page 1."

So, in a simple literary book, if we find that a Table of Contents includes references to itself (i.e.
"Table of Contents…page 4") or "Preface…", "Dedication…", or "About the Authors…", etc., these would
not be included in the p-pages, but would go in the body text with braille page numbers from 1 on up.
Would the Formats exam mark this correct?

Alternatively, we could place all items up to and including the Table of Contents in the p-pages; if
there are further items not in the Table of Contents, those also go in the p-pages. In general practice, is
this correct as a matter of ‘transcriber discretion’?

Alternatively, using the example of the Instruction Manual in 19.2b(5), where the print clearly
distinguishes front matter from the main body (e.g. with Roman numeral page numbering), the print
front matter could correlate with the braille p-pages. In general practice, is this correct as a matter of
‘transcriber discretion’?

Thank you for clarifying the standard practice

[Michael Gunner]

Hello Anne,

The simple answer to your first question is yes. Within the table of contents, there are no blank lines between consecutive centered headings and the transcriber created volume divisions regardless whether  they are 1, 10 or Following Volumes. There are numerous examples in the samples portion of section 2 of the braille formatting guidelines.

As for question 2, braille formats 2.12.1 states: "The first item listed in the table of contents is generally considered the first page of the main body of the book."  The key word is "generally" as there are always exceptions that requires a transcriber to use their judgement.  A good general rule is to look to braille formats 2.7 Front Matter Basics through braille formats 2.11.Other Front Matter. This will help you determine what material would be considered a preliminary page and what is the point at which body matter starts. The inclusion of roman numerals can also be helpful in distinguishing between preliminary and body material.

Also remember that while the training program is an awesome resource, when it comes your manuscript do not forget to reference the braille formatting guidelines as well.

Mike

 

 

 

 

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