French is now Unified in French-speaking countries. The same Braille Code is being used throughout the French-speaking world.
When using French intended for English-speaking countries, one should select an English UEB Template, applying the French style on French text.
The French language (in French-speaking countries) has multiple DBT Templates:
The word abrege means contracted (abbreviated). The word integral means uncontracted. The phrase de base means "basic". In this context, it means that emphasis in braille is not shown. The most common French template is Francais 2006 - abrege.
AVH has prepared a manual in French for using DBT. This pdf file is available on the root directory of the DBT CD-ROM.
DBT supports the French braille code for mathematics, published in January, 2007.
Before Unified French braille was introduced in 2006, there were primarily two main, but differing, braille codes.
Both are now regarded as "Historical", and should not be used unless specifically requested.
If you do want to produce braille in one of the older codes, use one of the "contracted braille" French templates, and then go to the Document menu, select Translation table, and select either French Pre-Unified or Canadian French.
For the details about the DBT translator used by French: click here.
French is usually produced in contracted braille. This means that words are not produced in braille on a one-for-one basis. There are abbreviations or contractions in the text. If you have questions about how braille is produced, please contact a member of the relevant braille authority.
Sometimes, you may want to produce uncontracted braille. This is easy to do with DBT. Before translation into braille, go to the top of the document in DBT, and press Alt-1. When you translate into braille, the braille will be uncontracted