[bksvol-discuss] Re: Fractions in bookshare files for Braille readers

  • From: "Jill O'Connell" <jillocon@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Mon, 21 Jun 2010 14:23:59 -0700

The cookbooks done recently are so far superior to those done earlier that I don't mind at all entering my own hyphens in the braille on my notetaker. And NLS really has a great cookbook collection available in web braille. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mayrie ReNae" <mayrierenae@xxxxxxxxx>

To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 1:44 PM
Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: Fractions in bookshare files for Braille readers


Hi Maureen,

Actually, braille readers are in a serious minority. Print disabled people who are dyslexic, or who have other disabilities who still use print are in
the vast majority.

Also, in print cookbooks, hyphens are not used.  What this means is that a
person proofreading a cookbook would have to make literally potentially
thousands of alterations to make the book follow the braille code. And then
the book would not be standard print, and we would, going against the
agreement that allows us to use books for Bookshare, be breaking the
copyright agreement established.

I really like Melissa's idea that, if possible, the braille translator could
be instructed/coded to insert that hyphen only in the brf files.
Unfortunately, having absolutely no knowledge of what would be involved in
making such an alteration to what the braille translator does, I have no
idea whether this is a possibility that is practical.

Sorry, I'm not seeming very hopeful in this arena.  I'd love a solution to
this problem that would cause no problem for anyone on any level.

Mayrie




-----Original Message-----
From: bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Maureen Pranghofer
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 11:58 AM
To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: Fractions in bookshare files for Braille
readers

Hi Mayrie
I have a question, since it is clear that when listening to books when there
is a space between the whole and mixed number it sometimes still says it
wrong.  In Braille, as you pointed out, there is a hyphon, how many people
using Bookshare are seeing what is actual in print? I would think not that
many but I may be very wrong, perhaps there are people who enlarge text or
something.  In either case wouldn't it make the most sense to use the
hyphon, then, even though it doesn't follow what is in print?
Thanks
Maureen

----- Original Message -----
From: "Mayrie ReNae" <mayrierenae@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 12:06 PM
Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: Fractions in bookshare files for Braille
readers


Hi Everyone,

Again, I went to the braille transcription manual.  And, in proper
literary braille, fractions are written with a hyphen between the
whole number and the fraction.  I did not seek out an accurate
resource for how to properly represent mixed numbers in literary
print. But I do believe that Valerie is correct that a space should
separate whole numbers from fractions.

For me, there is a problem with this.  I do want braille readers to
see accurate braille.  But this is not the accurate expression for
print fractions to be represented.  So, in our efforts to make sure
that kids see accurately rendered books, which do we do?

Now, before you all jump on me about this, reminding me that I opted
to follow braille code with em dashes and elipsis, I will respectfully
remind you that the representation of those things in print is
optional so what I've chosen to support is not inaccurate in either print
or braille.

So, I think on this one, I have to say I think this is a personal
preference. The braille translator will represent exactly whichever
manner of representing fractions as it is intended to be represented.
So, this is just me, I think I'd recommend that each person follow his
or her own beliefs on this one.  Because, in this instance, accurate
braille representation will result in inaccurate print representation.
And the opposite is also true.

Now we all know what is accurate in both print and braille, and can
choose.

I personally am leaning toward using a space rather than a hyphen to
separate fractions from the whole numbers to which they are attached.
There
are more print reading children using bookshare, and I've seen older
cook books in braille that used the space to separate the whole
numbers from the fraction.  So, the braille code may have changed at
some point.

In any case, this is just my personal preference, and I'd appreciate
it if no one would jump on me for having one.  I would really love it
if we could express fractions accurately for everyone.  I just don't
see that that can be done easily.  So, each of us needs to choose what
we think is best to do.

Okay, shutting up now.  Just wanted you all to know that the braille
transcription manual, unfortunately, does tell us to use the hyphen
between whole numbers and their attached fractions, and that print
disagrees.

Have a great day, everyone!

Mayrie

-----Original Message-----
From: bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Ann Parsons
Sent: Monday, June 21, 2010 4:49 AM
To: bksvol-discuss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Re: Fractions in bookshare files for Braille
readers

Hi all,

No, haven't been reading this thread, but the correct way to write a
compound fraction, that's what they're called, folks, is to use a dash
to indicate that it is one compound fraction.  In braille this is what
is done.
Since braille is direct reflection of what is done in print, I would
benture to say that 1-1/2 is correct as opposed to 1 1/2.  The space
is incorrect!
In print, the 1/2 part of the fraction is actually printed vertically.
The
one is on top, in super script and is linked vertically to the two by
a slash, a diagonal line.  In order for the fraction, compound or
otherwise to come out right in braille, you must
write the numerator, then a slash and then the denominator.   Yeah,
yeah, yeah, terminology again, but it am correct.   If we don't
standardize, then braille readers will be all bolixed up.

You cannot put in something you think is just easier for you.  You have
to put in what is right, what is standard and what the book says.   I
may think that writing a phone number is easier when I write
585-922-3434, but that is *not* how it is done in the sighted world
and it is not standard and I can't use it in a Bookshare book.  I have
to, not should but have to write (585) 922-3434, not any other format
just because I think it is easier for me.

Ann P.


Original message:
Hi, Kim!

I didn't think we were allowed to alter text by inserting hyphens. I
personally feel it reads easier with a space between the whole number
and fraction and unless mandated, would NEVER take the time to insert
hyphens in mixed fractions. So, be forewarned if it is a pet peeve of
yours that you will not like my submission after proofreading Bakewise.

Valerie


On Jun 20, 2010, at 4:04 AM, Kim Friedman wrote:


Hi, Pam I would write 1/2 or 1/4 or 1-1/8. When I see fractions, the
slash goes between the numerator and the denominator without spaces.
Hope this helps. Regards, Kim Friedman. P.S.: One of my pet peeves is
seeing a mixed fraction (such as 1-1/2 being written 1 1/2. K.


---------------------------------------------------------------------
---
From: bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
<mailto:bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
[mailto:bksvol-discuss-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Pamela
Hoffard
Sent: Saturday, June 19, 2010 6:13 PM
To: book list
Subject: [bksvol-discuss] Fractions in bookshare files for Braille
readers

Hey all,

I'm coming across a bunch of fractions for recipes in the book that
I'm proofing. For Braille readers, is the 1 / 2 format better than
the symbol 1 over 2 in one individual space (sorry I can't make this
symbol in e-mail). Any preference?

Thanks for your thoughts,

Pam




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--
Ann K. Parsons
Portal Tutoring
EMAIL:  akp@xxxxxxxxxxxx
web site:  http://www.portaltutoring.info
Skype: Putertutor

"All that is gold does not glitter,
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