[kdejute]

Cindy,

I believe your question may be better suited for the UEB category of the Ask an Expert forum.

In response to your question, since your example fraction is not entirely numeric (section 6.1 in the Guidelines for Technical Material), you should use the general fraction indicators (section 6.4 in the GTM). And, since your minus/negative signs are not in the superscript position, you should simply use the minus symbol (section 3.4 of the GTM)

The following is how I would transcribe your sample fraction (simbraille image attached):

"-;("-#a./"-#b)

[The grade 1 symbol indicator is used before the opening general fraction indicator so that it is not misread as the "of" contraction. No other grade 1 indicators are used because 1) the minus symbol cannot be misread, and 2) the first numeric indicator sets grade 1 mode.]

–Kyle

 

The GTM (UEB Guidelines for Technical Material) can be found through BANA's website.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 4 months ago by kdejute.

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[kdejute]

I'm afraid that your attachment did not come through, because it is too large for the Ask an Expert forum.

Nonetheless, I may be able to answer your questions:

1. In a transcription that uses the Nemeth Code, main items should be in 1-5, and subitems should be in 3-5 (even when the main item is only a number or letter and includes no words).
2. Yes, in the phrase "less than 1/4 turn" only "1/4" should be enclosed in Nemeth switch indicators.

Thank you for the questions and for trying to include an attachment. If the above does not fully address your concerns, please do follow up here.

Cheers!

–Kyle

[kdejute]

No, the list to which you refer includes the listing "blank table entries to be filled in," because there are Nemeth-specific rules for some instances of such things.

To answer your broader question:

If a table is done in UEB, then 2016 Formats, which BANA has approved and which will be released soon, says to use a series of dot 5s for blank cells within a table (and explain the use of these in a transcriber's note).

If a table is transcribed in Nemeth Code:

1) If there is an actual blank space, you would use the general omission symbol.

2) If there is a dash or a shape indicating something to be filled in, use that dash or shape as Nemeth requires.

--Kyle (with Dorothy Worthington's helpful input)

If you would like to discuss this further, please include an example of the print table(s).

[kdejute]

Cindy,

I opened so many browser tabs! And I finally found a video on "constant functions" that shows an image similar to what you're asking about–That image changed, from a multiplication sign to a division sign, to plus sign, etc., based on the type of function being set as constant. This character seems to be automatically generated by the calculator as a sort of status reminder.

I strongly believe that the character you reference following the 3, 5, and 7 in your PDF is a white plus sign on a black background; in other words, it's a plus sign. I strongly suspect that what follows the 2 is the same character but poorly reproduced.

Thanks to you and to your braillist for asking!

–Kyle

The video I found is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ECNsabnKZaE

[kdejute]

Yes, the Guidance for Transcription Using the Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts tells us to transcribe in Nemeth Code "isolated signs of operation or comparison when mentioned in reference to [any mathematical expression or chemical formula]." So, for your example, I would open Nemeth Code after the word "of" and close it before the comma following the minus sign.

Thank you for your question.

–Kyle

[kdejute]

If I understand your question correctly, you are asking how to represent blanks within tables when those blanks are meant to be filled in.

According to Braille Formats, Partially Filled-In Tables (section 11.9) should be transcribed with a dash for each blank cell that is meant to be filled-in. If your table with a blank that is meant to be filled-in is transcribed in UEB, use the UEB dash (6, 36); if your table with a blank that is meant to be filled-in is transcribed in Nemeth, use the dash appropriate to the Nemeth Code (36, 36).

If your table is transcribed in a listed format, follow #11 under Formatting in the Guidance for Transcription Using the Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts. That is, use the double dash (36, 36, 36, 36) for blank entries that are to be filled in.

Braille Formats (section 11.6.5) says that a series of dot 5s should be used "when the column entries are empty and are not meant to be filled in by the reader."

[kdejute]

Teresa,

Thank you for your question. Attached is a simbraille image of how I would transcribe the example you provided using Nemeth Code within a UEB context.

–Kyle

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[kdejute]

Angela,

No, in a Nemeth transcription of the example you give, an English letter indicator should not be used with the "c". The letter "c" is in regular type, unspaced from a sign of operation (the slash is a sign of operation here).

Cheers!
–Kyle

[kdejute]

Cindy,

The arrows certainly seem to have meaning that must somehow be provided for the braille reader. I think the straight horizontal arrows denote an addition number family, and, possibly, the up and right arrows denote a multiplication number family.

Tactile representation would preserve the print's focus on presenting the numbers with spatial relationships.

Still, I think a well worded TN and shapes designated specifically for each kind of number family arrow could get the information to the reader. This might be particularly important if it saves you from inserting scores or hundreds of tactiles. If you use shapes, I suggest that they should be created using Nemeth rules for representing a new shape, and the numbers (including numbers represented by letters) that are part of these families should be in the Nemeth bubble with the shape.

--Kyle

 

[kdejute]

Fair enough. Your question about the "whys" is a good one.

First, "function" in "the function f(x) = 4x-9" is not part of the name of the function, so it is not part of the technical expression.
Similarly, "sequence" in "a sequence t(n)" and "function" in "the function j(x)" are also not part of the NAME of the sequence or function.
Third, "slope" in "a line with slope 3/2" is not part of the technical expression, because a slope does not traditionally have a "proper name" like "Triangle ABC" or "Angle G"; a slope is a value and not a singular item.
Similarly, "x-intercept" in "x-intercept (4, 0)" is not part of a technical expression, because it does not work with the enclosed list to identify a singular item; "(4, 0)" does that by itself.

I am not ready to extrapolate universal rules from the above. But do the statements above make sense on their own, and will they help you to wade through material more comfortably?

–Kyle

[kdejute]

Trumbull,

None of the four words you ask about needs to be a transcribed in Nemeth Code.

--Kyle

[kdejute]

<p style="text-align: left;">Thank you for the question.</p>
For "1.258 grams per centimeters cubed (g/cm³)." I would enclose "1.258 grams" in one set of Nemeth switch indicators and "(g/cm³)" in another set of Nemeth switch indicators. That second chunk DOES include the parentheses.

For "grams (g) of 3 cm³ of the substance at room temperature." I would enclose only "cm³" in a set of Nemeth switch indicators.

I hope that helps! Please post here again if you are looking for further explanation.

Cheers!

--Kyle

[kdejute]

 

I believe you are asking about the Nemeth Code terminator that follows the second tactile graphic in the PDF you attached.

Placing the terminator in cell one would not keep the identifier that follows it from doing its job, I don't think. Nor would that placement prevent the termonator from doing its job.

Since the Guidance specifically says to place the terminator in cell 1, that is really where it should be.

 

[kdejute]

H'lo, Jonathan:

Since what you have is signs of omission surrounded by grouping indicators, and that would qualify as an "enclosed list" according to Nemeth Code definitions, I would advise you to put in Nemeth switch indicators these answer place-holders that are enclosed lists.

Thank you for the question!

--Kyle

[kdejute]

In fact, the wording on placement of Nemeth Code indicators around spatial material has changed in the updated Guidance. [Wording that mentions "the margin" was retained for discussion of tables.]

See #8.b under Additional Guidelines on page 9 of the Guidance for Transcription Using the Nemeth Code within UEB Contexts. (http://brailleauthority.org/ueb/nemeth-guidance/Nemeth%20Guidance%20Final.pdf)

The Nemeth Code terminator that follows a spatial arrangement should be in cell 1 on a line by itself, preceded by a blank line.

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