English (UEB) - BANA Format
This DBT template is designed to produce material written in the English language. It uses UEB (Unified English Braille) translation rules and BANA formatting standards.
You can make this template your default selection.
Click here for instructions on using alternative methods for foreign language text transcription.
Click here for more help on the DBT translator used by English (UEB) - BANA.
Multiple Templates for English
The English language has multiple DBT templates.
Unified English Braille (UEB) is the standard in all English speaking countries. Accordingly, all the "English (UEB)" templates employ the same UEB braille translator. They may differ with respect to math translation and especially with respect to formatting. Therefore, different UEB templates may contain different DBT styles, and the effects of those styles may differ. The UEB templates use UEB math translation unless the template name specifies Nemeth.
- English (UEB) - BANA
- English (UEB) - BANA with Nemeth
- English (UEB) - Basic
- English (UEB) - Australian formatting
- English (UEB) - New Zealand (including Maori)
- English (UEB) - UK formatting
- English (UEB) - UK formatting legacy
The acronym, BANA, stands for the Braille Authority of North America. The DBT BANA templates are helpful if you are in the United States or Canada and trying to meet exacting standards for textbook production. The template English (UEB) - BANA uses UEB text translation and UEB math translation. The template English (UEB) - BANA with Nemeth uses UEB text translation but uses the Nemeth Code for math and technical notation.
Meeting Exacting Standards
For users in the United States and Canada, the BANA DBT templates are used to meet exacting formatting standards. Quite often, braille transcribers prepare the text in Microsoft Word. Usually, those files use a BANA Word Template. Click here to learn more about the Word template.
Math Issues in English
The rules of UEB Math allow some flexibility with respect to spacing around signs of comparison, like the equals sign, and signs of operation, like the plus or minus signs. Most users of UEB do use spaces around signs of comparison. Signs of operation are usually not spaced, though some braille jurisdictions choose otherwise, as required, to meet the educational needs of their readers. The UEB translator does not automatically add spaces for either situation. However, in Global Settings - Import Options, you will find a checkbox for adding spaces around signs of comparison when importing files with math. This option applies both for importing Word documents with MathType and for importing LaTeX files.
Contracted Braille
This language is usually produced in contracted braille. This means that words are not produced in braille on a one-for-one basis: there are abbreviations (contractions) in the text. If you have questions about producing correct braille, please contact a member of your local braille authority.
Producing this language in uncontracted braille is also quite easy in DBT. Before translation into braille, place the cursor at the top of the document and use the Grade 1 command (Alt+1). When the document is translated, the braille will be uncontracted.
Sample Microsoft Word File
Click here for a sample Word file in this language.
Click here for instructions and the complete list of language sample files in Word format.
E-mail languages@duxsys.com with your suggestions on improving DBT braille translators, or to request a translator for a new language.
E-mail support@duxsys.com for software support issues related to Duxbury DBT.