Hi, James.
Thanks for posting this. I'll keep it on file and will no doubt refer
to it as I work on my trial manuscript for UEB certification.
More Later,
Dani
On 7/6/17, James Bowden <James.Bowden@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Question:
Please can you explain about the subscript sign as I am unsure when to use
the grade 1 indicator.
Answer:
This is a really good question about the subscript sign. I'm not going to
talk about it directly first, but instead I'd like to draw your attention to
the grade 1 indicator.
The use of the grade 1 indicator is absolutely key for UEB, so forgive me if
you know some of this already:
This is a little long, so please read slowly, and take a cup of strong
coffee if you need one!
In UEB, several signs have both a grade 1 and a grade 2 (contraction)
meaning. These predominantly include several mathematical signs, including
(not limited to):
* superscript and subscript
* square root and square root terminator
* general fraction start and end indicators
* braille grouping indicators
* arrow and shape signs
...
You also use grade 1 indicators to clarify that a single letter standing
alone is a letter, (i.e. its grade 1 meaning) rather than a word sign (the
grade 2 contraction); and also put a grade 1 indicator immediately before
letters a-j (lowercase) immediately following a number.
In all cases, if you want the grade 1 meaning of assign, rather than the
contraction meaning, you must put a grade 1 indicator somewhere.
For example, if I just wrote the letter x, it reads as "it". So if I really
wanted just x, I'd need to put a grade 1 indicator before it.
Similarly, if I had the expression x sub 1, if I did not put a grade 1
indicator anywhere, it would read xen1.
So, here's the crucial bit: where to put the grade 1 indicator(s).
There are, in fact, three kinds of grade 1 indicator - just like there are
three kinds of capital sign (four if you count terminators):
* Dot 56 is the "grade 1 symbol indicator"
It indicates that the next symbol (only) has a grade 1 meaning. So you use
this, if there is just one symbol that needs a grade 1 meaning.
Hence the example x sub 1, would be written:
X, dot 56, dot 26, number, 1
x;5#a (ASCII braille)
⠭⠰⠢⠼⠁ (Unicode braille)
(hopefully you can read either the ASCII or the Unicode braille as dots).
Notice here that you don't need a grade 1 indicator before the letter x as
well, because it is not "standing alone", so the x cannot be misread as
"it". See RUEB 2.6 for the definition of "standing alone".
* The grade 1 word indicator is dots 56, 56. It indicates that the whole of
the next sequence of symbols is all in grade 1 mode, up till the next
space.
You'd use this in an unspaced maths expression where there are two or more
symbols which require grade 1 mode.
For example the square root of x sub 1: both the square root sign and the
subscript sign need to be in grade 1 mode (otherwise they are SH and EN
respectively). So you'd write:
56, 56, 146, x, 26, number, 1, 346:
;;%x5#a+ (ASCII braille)
⠰⠰⠩⠭⠢⠼⠁⠬ (Unicode braille)
Notice that technically I could have written:
;%x;5#a+ (ASCII braille)
⠰⠩⠭⠰⠢⠼⠁⠬ (Unicode braille)
but this is not ideal, because we prefer not to have grade 1 indicators
littered about in the middle of the maths. (there are times when it is
unavoidable, but generally put them out front).
* The final type of grade 1 indicator is the grade 1 passage, dots 56,56,56.
Grade 1 passage makes everything grade 1 mode until you have the grade 1
terminator (56,3).
In the UK, the guideline is to use this when you have an expression which
has more than 1 symbol needing grade 1 mode, and the expression contains
spaces. (that's slightly simplified, for the full definition of the UK
guidance, please see the guidelines for mathematics at
www.ukaaf.org/braille/ueb)
For example, square root of x sub 1 = x sub 2.
Remember that equals is (nearly) always spaced on both sides, and the square
root and both subscript expressions need grade 1 indicators.
;;;%x5#a+ "7 x5#b;' (ASCII braille)
⠰⠰⠰⠩⠭⠢⠼⠁⠬⠀⠐⠶⠀⠭⠢⠼⠃⠰⠄ (Unicode braille)
Note, of course, in grade 1 mode that you cannot use contractions at all.
--
There's one final but very important thing to note: a numeric indicator
(3456) also sets grade 1 mode until the next space, hyphen or dash.
So, notice that x sub 10 needs a grade 1 symbol indicator before the
subscript, but number 4 subscript 10 does not.
----
So, now let's look at the examples in the book Using UEB for Mathematics
(RNIB 2015), section 1h.
The first example, 1101 sub 2,
is a number. The numeric indicator also sets grade 1 mode, so the subscript
indicator is just dots 26. No extra grade 1 indicator is needed.
The second example is more interesting: x sub 1 squared plus y sub 1
squared.
Notice this is a single expression without spaces.
Notice it starts with a letter x, so thus far we are not in grade 1 mode.
Then there's a subscript indicator. This must be in grade 1 mode, so dots
56, 26 is used.
Next, there's a number 1. Notice that a numeric indicator also sets grade 1
mode until the next space, hyphen or dash ... thus the rest of the entire
expression (in this case) is in grade 1 mode. So no need for further grade 1
indicators for the other sub script or either of the two superscript
indicators.
Similarly, the chemistry example, sub 17 super 35 Cl
needs to start with a grade 1 indicator, but after the number, you are in
grade 1 mode till the next space, hyphen or dash. So only the first symbol
needed the grade 1 symbol indicator.
---
I hope this makes some kind of sense.
Mastering the different indicators is key to all of this: as well as the
above, they are documented in RUEB sections 5 and 6.
Please feel free to ask questions if I could explain it better...
With best regards,
James.
-----Original Message-----
From: Clipson, Emma [mailto:Emma.Clipson@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: 05 July 2017 14:00
To: James Bowden
Subject: Braille Maths Query
Hello James,
I’m a QTVI @ Coventry Sensory Team . My colleague Balvinder Jandoo passed on
your email as a troubleshooter for braille.
I’m currently supporting a year 8 braille user who’s favourite subject is
Maths and a she is a high attainer.
We have braille Maths Type and the student is at the early stages of braille
maths learning but a proficient Grade 2 braillist.
The current query is :
Please could someone explain the Subscripts 1h page 5 in ‘Using UEB for
Mathematics’ TC21445 as I’m unsure about when to use the grade 1 indicator.
Best Regards
Emma
Emma Clipson
Specialist Teacher of Visually Impaired Children BAHons, QTVI, MEdVI
Qualified Teacher Of Visually Impaired Children
Sensory & Physical Support Service
Cannon Park School Annexe
Bransford Avenue
Coventry
CV4 7PS
Tel: 02476 786174
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To highlight the importance of protecting your eyes from harmful UV rays in
sunlight, we're celebrating National Sunglasses Day on Tuesday 27 June. Just
wear your shades and a smile, take a selfie and post it to social media
using #shadesforsight.
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DISCLAIMER:
NOTICE: The information contained in this email and any attachments is
confidential and may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient
you should not use, disclose, distribute or copy any of the content of it or
of any attachment; you are requested to notify the sender immediately of
your receipt of the email and then to delete it and any attachments from
your system.
RNIB endeavours to ensure that emails and any attachments generated by its
staff are free from viruses or other contaminants. However, it cannot
accept any responsibility for any such which are transmitted.
We therefore recommend you scan all attachments.
Please note that the statements and views expressed in this email and any
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