CTEBVI 2011 Conference
Defining Our Future: A Winning Hand
It's All Greek To Me!!!
Foreign Language Exercise Material
Workshop 703
Saturday, March 12, 2011
12:45-2:15 PM
Presenter:
Saralyn Borboa
FOREWARD
In my quests to find just the right answers and examples to foreign language formatting questions, I have spent hours searching through countless manuals, workshop handouts and any other reference material I could put my hands on.
Much to my dismay, there have been many times that I have found the same type of situation formatted differently in different references. Being more confused than I was before I began my search, I was then left to wonder … which one is correct? They can't both be correct … can they?
And my quest for knowledge and clarity continues …
Some of the most helpful answers I've received don't even quote any "Rules". Instead they are merely some words of wisdom and advise from some very knowledgeable people:
"Print books have so many new challenges that there is no way we can have guidelines that cover everything.
Even though the Braille Textbook Formats Manual is divided into Rules, these Rules should actually be used as Guidelines for making good decisions that do not break any other Rules."
"Different people read and interpret things in very different ways. There will almost always be more than one
opinion on what is or isn't correct. Like it or not!"
"Workshop material is only someone's opinion and interpretation of the guidelines."
So with that in mind: The examples and explanations in this handout have been compiled as a result of several conservations with people who are very experienced with Foreign Language Braille Transcription.
I would like to thank those nameless, patient people
who tolerated and indulged me in this endeavor.
***
At present the Interim Manual for Foreign Language Transcribing is the only reference that provides specific guidelines for transcribing material that is printed in any language other than English, being used by English speakers. The Interim FL Manual is used in conjunction with the most recent versions of the official BANA Codes:
English Braille American Edition (EBAE)
Braille Formats: Principles of Print to Braille Transcription
BANA Braille Code Update 2007
Foreign Language texts for use by native speakers should be transcribed in accordance with the official braille code adopted for use in that language.
The Interim Manual for Foreign Language Transcribing is only available from the NBA.
The new Foreign Language Manual has not yet been finalized.
Any references in this workshop to the new Proposed FL Manual should not be considered official, as revisions are still being made.
Interim Manual for Foreign Language Braille Transcribing
Section 9: Exercise Material
versus
Braille Formats
Braille Textbook Formats and Foreign Language Guidelines are closely intertwined.
In most cases the same guidelines that are listed in Braille Textbook Formats also apply to Foreign Language.
However there are some guidelines listed in The Interim FL Manual that pertains specifically to Foreign Language material.
Knowing the differences between the two manuals and when to use which one, is half the battle.
The first reference to use is the NBA Interim Manual for Foreign Language Braille Transcribing.
If there are no specific rules given in the Interim FL Manual, the guidelines in Braille Formats should be followed.
Interim FL 1.2b(2) NOTE: Whenever specific foreign language formats are not provided in this manual, it is understood that the provisions contained in BRAILLE FORMATS are applicable. Familiarity with the provisions of BRAILLE FORMATS is a prerequisite for foreign language transcription. For convenience, some sections of that Code are included in this manual to show their proper use in foreign language texts.
Interim FL 9.1 General Provisions
9.1a Texts in outline form.
Foreign language text printed in outline form, containing numbered/lettered exercise materials … must be transcribed according to FORMATS, Rule 13, Sect 7.
Formats ... all numbered and/or lettered items that appear in exercises/drills/tests even though the items are printed as run-on lists in paragraph form rather than as set-off, vertical lists. ... braille main items in 1/5 ... sub items in 3/7, etc.
Proposed FL Manual: is basically the same as Formats.
Commentary and Examples:
Ex: 1
Ex. 2
· Both of the examples above would be brailled with each lettered sub-entry on a new braille line.
9.1b. Word division.
If print doesn't divide foreign words in exercise material between lines – don't divide them in braille.
See also Section 1.5.
Sect. 1.5:
Beginning levels of instruction and exercise material commonly not divided in print.
Advanced levels and narrative material is commonly divided in print.
Use print text as a guideline.
Do not divide unless 7 or more blank cells would be left at the end of a braille line.
See section 14 for word division rules for most languages.
When no rules are given do not divide words without access to a reliable authority in that language.
Proposed FL Manual:
For 9.1b both the Interim and the Proposed FL Manuals are basically the same.
There is currently no reference to 1.5, but it still applies.
Sect 1.5 Change: It's common for print to divide words in advanced material, particularly in narrative text and should be divided in braille.
Otherwise do not divide words.
Commentary and Examples:
Ex: 3
· This example shows words divided in narrative text that is being used in an exercise.
· Words are not commonly divided between lines in braille transcriptions anymore.
· However, it is still important to be aware that foreign language does have guidelines that pertain to word division, an instance may arise when it's needed.
9.1c. Divided questions.
Wherever possible, avoid dividing foreign exercise materials between braille pages.
Formats: Rule 13 sect. 6b and sect. 7e
The question may be on a separate page than the answers.
It is preferable to place all answer choices on the same braille page.
Proposed FL Manual: is basically the same as Formats.
Commentary and Examples:
· The Interim manual is vague on this subject. For more clarification Formats would also need to be referenced.
Ex: 4
· The example above could be divided between pages at any point because these are not questions with answer choices.
Ex. 5
· This example shows numbered questions with answer choices. According to Formats and the Proposed FL Manuals, the question may be placed on a page by itself, but the lettered answer choices should be kept together on the same braille page.
Ex. 6
· This example shows columns to be matched.
Both of these columns will fit across the page, and should stay together on one braille page.
Ex. 7
· This example shows columns to be matched.
Both of these columns will not fit on a braille page, so one column will follow after the other one.
Both columns should still be placed on the same page if possible
Interim FL 9.2 Directions
9.2a Directions in a foreign language.
Must be brailled in the language in which they are printed.
When explanation of the print directions or braille format is necessary, use a transcriber's note in contracted English braille.
Directions are often given in the foreign language of the text, it is important for the transcriber to fully understand them.
Proposed FL Manual:
Adds – Unnumbered/Unlettered directions in 5/5
Numbered/Lettered directions in 1/3 or 1/5 depending on the material that follows.
Commentary and Examples:
· Online translation programs are a wonderful tool but they are not always accurate.
· Using a combination of the online translation and a good dictionary in the language that you're transcribing should be enough to get a basic idea of what is being discussed in the text.
Ex. 8
· Simply reading the instructions may not have been enough to know that the colors were important. If the transcriber's note describing the pictures doesn't include information about colors, the exercise would not be able to be completed correctly. (The original text was in color).
Ex. 9
· Without knowing what this says there is no way of knowing whether this should be formatted as directives or directions.
9.2b. In special typeface.
Directions printed entirely in a special typeface must be ignored in braille.
Retain special typeface when it is required for emphasis or distinction. See Section 3.2.
Sect. 3.2 is basically the same as Formats
Proposed FL Manual is basically the same as the Formats and Interim Manuals.
There is a new section in the Proposed Manual that discusses blank lines/no blank lines before/after directions and another section that discusses directives/directions.
The new information is basically the same as Formats.
Commentary and Examples:
Ex. 10
· Ignore the special typeface in the instructions for the example above.
Ex. 11
· Maintain italics for ser and estar, they are in italics for a reason.
· Maintain italics for Tu mejor amigo/a This is a paragraph heading that also happens to be in a foreign language.
· amigo/a should be italicized as one word, with a single indicator. The purpose of the /a is to show an alternate ending of the same word, not a different word.
Ex. 12
· In the paragraph heading ser and estar are in bold italics. Follow guidelines in the Interim FL Manual sect 3.2. for two or more special typefaces.
Interim FL 9.3 Exercise models, sample questions and answers
9.3a Ignore special typeface.
Ignore special typeface when exercise models/samples are printed entirely in special typeface.
Retain special typeface that is required for emphasis or distinction. See Section 3.2.
Proposed FL Manual is basically the same as the Interim Manual.
Commentary and Examples:
Ex. 13
· The book that this example was taken from, shows all the example answers throughout the book in italics. Special typeface could be omitted provided the format shows the difference between the question and the answer.
Ex. 14
· In this example the special typeface should be retained because it shows what word would have been written on the blank line. If special typeface is omitted, the reader would have no way of knowing what the answer was.
9.3b Labeled models and samples.
Leave a blank line before and after examples – regardless of print spacing.
(1) Labels such as Beispile. Exemple, Modelo should be placed in cell 5.
(2) Start the example on the next braille line, indenting main items, sub items and runovers the same as the following exercise material.
(3) If a translation is shown:
On the next braille line indent 2 cells farther than the original main item.
Indent runovers 4 cells farther than the original main item.
Proposed FL Manual is basically the same as the Interim Manuals with a few exceptions:
Added to 9.3b(1): follow print for typeface and capitalization.
Changed in 9.3b(2): runover for translations will be 6 cells farther than the original main item.
Commentary and Examples:
Ex. 15
· Since there is nothing following the Modèle, the transcriber is left to make an assumption about how they think material would be formatted if there was something there, or how the answers would be written.
Ex. 16
· The modele might be brailled in 1/3 because the following material doesn't have an indented format.
· Follow Formats Rules for dialogue.
Ex. 17
It's All Greek To Me!!! Page 16
· The numbered directions are brailled in 1/5 with the Modèle and numbered sub-entries in 3/7.
Ex. 18
· If a decision is made that the student will need to have the information listed in the key in order to understand the Modèle, the key might be moved before the Modèle
9.3c Unlabeled models and samples.
(1) Indent main items, sub items and runovers the same as the following exercise material.
(2) If a translation is shown:
On the next braille line indent two cells farther than the original main item.
Indent runovers four cells farther than the original main item.
FORMATS – FL guidelines for examples are different than what is listed in Formats.
Make sure to follow the FL guidelines.
Proposed FL Manual is basically the same as the Interim Manuals. The only difference being runovers for translations 6 cells farther than the original main item.
Commentary and Examples:
Ex. 19
· The Proposed FL Manual adds a new section on Exercise material that follows instructions.
It's basically the same as Formats:
Directions blocked in 5/5
Main items only in 1/3
Main items with sub-items in 1/5, 3/7.
Numbered/Lettered Instructions in 1/5
Main items with sub-items in 3/7, 5/9
Interim FL 9.4 Blanks to be filled.
In addition to BRAILLE FORMATS, Rule 13, Sect. 5a, observe the following.
9.4a Within an exercise sentence or question, use the braille double dash to represent a blank of any kind (space, line, box, ellipsis, etc) that is meant to be filled.
Commentary and Examples:
Ex. 20
· The double dash would replace the ellipsis.
9.4b When the double dash (answer blank) is in contact with the hyphen in a hyphenated compound word or a conservation dash, substitute the compound hyphen (25, 25) for the regular braille hyphen.