Braille Alphabet Explained

The Braille alphabet, a system of raised dots, unlocks a world of literacy for the visually impaired. Known as the blind alphabet, it transforms Braille letters and numbers into a tangible form, allowing for seamless communication. From ‘a in Braille’ to ‘z’, and ‘1 in Braille’ onwards, each Braille character and number is meticulously designed for touch reading. This article will delve into the essentials of the Braille script, exploring the intricacies of Braille alphabets and numbers, and highlighting the adaptability of English Braille. Join us as we explore this remarkable system, revealing how Braille not only conveys information but also fosters independence and empowerment for those who use it.

The Origins of Braille

Louis Braille was born on January 4, 1809, in Coupvray, France. His dad made harnesses. When he was three, an accident in his dad’s shop made him blind. But Louis was a smart kid. His parents saw his talent and sent him to the Royal Institute for Blind Youth in Paris, a special school for blind kids.

At the institute, Louis learned about a reading system with raised dots and dashes that Captain Charles Barbier from the French Army made. This “night writing” was for soldiers to send messages quietly at night. It was a cool idea but too complicated and not many people used it.

Louis thought he could make Barbier’s system better. At 15, he started working on his own idea. He changed Barbier’s 12-dot system into an easier 6-dot system. This new system could show letters, numbers, and even music notes.

The Evolution of Braille

At first, not many people liked Louis’s Braille system. But two years after he died in 1852, his old school started using it. It was simple and worked well, so more and more people started using it around the world.

As time went on, Braille changed to help blind people even more. The original system got updates to work in different languages and for things like math, science, and music. There’s also a faster version called Grade 2 Braille that makes reading and writing quicker.

Nowadays, Braille is keeping up with technology. There are devices that can change electronic text into Braille, so blind people can get all sorts of information online.

The Braille Alphabet (Internationally Standardized)

The Braille system uses six dots to make its letters, numbers, punctuation, and symbols. These dots are set up like the number six on dice, in two columns. With these six dots, you can make 64 different patterns. These patterns cover all the Braille characters, shown in the Unicode Braille codes from U+2800 to U+283F. Here’s a table that shows what the Braille characters look like and the dots they use.

CHARACTER	BRAILLE	BRAILLE DOTS
a	⠁	1
b	⠃	12
c	⠉	14
d	⠙	145
e	⠑	15
f	⠋	124
g	⠛	1245
h	⠓	125
i	⠊	24
j	⠚	245
k	⠅	13
l	⠇	123
m	⠍	134
n	⠝	1345
o	⠕	135
p	⠏	1234
q	⠟	12345
r	⠗	1235
s	⠎	234
t	⠞	2345
u	⠥	136
v	⠧	1236
w	⠺	2456
x	⠭	1346
y	⠽	13456
z	⠵	1356

Braille Numbers (Internationally Standardized)

Numbers in Braille use the same characters as the alphabet letters a-j (with a notable exception in France), preceded by a special number indicator to differentiate them from letters.

CHARACTER	BRAILLE	BRAILLE DOTS
number indicator	⠼	3456
1	⠼⠁	3456 1
2	⠼⠃	3456 12
3	⠼⠉	3456 14
4	⠼⠙	3456 145
5	⠼⠑	3456 15
6	⠼⠋	3456 124
7	⠼⠛	3456 1245
8	⠼⠓	3456 125
9	⠼⠊	3456 24
0	⠼⠚	3456 245

Braille Punctuation

Below is a table outlining various punctuation marks in Braille, showing their Braille representation along with the specific dots used for each character.

CHARACTER	BRAILLE	BRAILLE DOTS
, (comma)	⠂	2
; (semicolon)	⠆	23
: (colon)	⠒	25
. (period)	⠲	256
? (question mark)	⠦	236
! (exclamation mark)	⠖	235
‘ (single opening quote)	⠄	3
“ (double opening quote)	⠄⠶	3 2356
“ (alternate double opening quote)	⠘⠦	45 236
” (double closing quote)	⠘⠴	45 356
‘ (alternate single opening quote)	⠄⠦	3 236
’ (single closing quote)	⠄⠴	3 356
( (open parenthesis)	⠐⠣	5 126
) (close parenthesis)	⠐⠜	5 345
/ (slash)	⠸⠌	456 34
\ (backslash)	⠸⠡	456 16
– (hyphen)	⠤	36
– (en dash)	⠠⠤	6 36
— (em dash)	⠐⠠⠤	5 6 36

Variations of Braille: Contracted and Uncontracted

Braille has two primary variations: uncontracted (Grade 1) and contracted (Grade 2).

• Uncontracted Braille (Grade 1): This is the most direct form of Braille, where each Braille cell represents a single letter, number, or punctuation mark. Grade 1 Braille is straightforward and is often the starting point for beginners learning Braille.

• Contracted Braille (Grade 2): To increase reading speed and efficiency, and to save space, Grade 2 Braille introduces contractions. These contractions can represent common words (like “and”, “the”, “for”) or groups of letters (like “ing”, “er”, “st”) in a single cell or a combination of cells. There are also rules for using partial-word contractions in specific contexts. Grade 2 Braille is more complex but is widely used by proficient Braille readers for most text, including books, magazines, and personal correspondence.

Contracted Braille requires a deeper knowledge and understanding of the Braille system, as it employs a more extensive set of rules governing the use of contractions and abbreviations. Learners typically progress to Grade 2 Braille after mastering the basics of uncontracted Braille.

Understanding these variations and the basic structure of the Braille cell is essential for anyone learning Braille, whether for personal use or to support others in the visually impaired community. The adaptability of the Braille system, with its ability to convey complex information through simple tactile means, remains a powerful tool for literacy and independence among the visually impaired.

How to Learn Braille Alphabet

Learning the Braille alphabet is rewarding and can help you communicate and be more independent. Here’s a simple plan to get you started:

1. Get to know the braille cell. Start with the basic Braille cell, which has six dots in two columns. Remember how to number the dots: 1, 2, 3 on the left and 4, 5, 6 on the right.
2. Start learning the alphabet. Learn the first ten letters, a-j, using only dots 1, 2, 4, and 5. They’re the base for the rest. Move on to k-t by adding dot 3 to what you learned before. Finish with u-z, bringing in dot 6. Remember, ‘w’ is a bit different because it wasn’t in the original French Braille.
3. Practice a lot. Use a stylus and slate or a Braille typewriter to practice writing. Read Braille with your fingers. Start simple and slowly tackle harder texts.
4. Use tools to help you learn. Find Braille books and software made for beginners. They have exercises and activities. Try out tactile tools like Braille flashcards and alphabet charts to help remember the characters.
5. Take a class. Look for Braille classes at community centers or schools for the blind. Learning with others can give you extra help and motivation.
6. Join the Braille community. Meet other Braille readers online or in your area. They can share useful tips and encourage you.
7. Use technology. Check out gadgets and apps that make learning Braille easier. There are Braille displays and e-readers, as well as learning apps.
8. Keep going and be patient. Learning Braille, like any language, takes time and patience. Celebrate every small win and keep at it.

Braille Unveiled

In wrapping up, the Braille system, from the alphabet to numbers, is a beacon of independence for those who read by touch. Each Braille character, whether it’s ‘a in Braille,’ ‘m in Braille,’ or ‘1 in Braille,’ is a key to unlocking a world of information and communication. This tactile language, known as the blind alphabet, ensures that the visually impaired have equal access to literacy and knowledge. As we explore the Braille alphabet and numbers, we celebrate not just a set of symbols, but a testament to resilience and inclusivity. The Braille system, with its dots and letters, is more than just an alphabet; it’s a lifeline that connects individuals to the wider world, proving that the ability to learn and communicate transcends all barriers.