French

Multiple Templates for French

When producing French braille intended for English-speaking countries, one should actually select an English UEB template and follow these instructions (apply the French style on French text).

For French-speaking countries, DBT has a choice of templates to use. The most commonly used French template is Francais 2006 - abrege.

French Braille is now unified. The same Braille code is used throughout the French-speaking world.

• Francais 2006 - abrege
• Francais 2006 - abrege braille de base
• Francais 2006 - integral
• Francais 2006 - integral braille de base

The word abrege means contracted (abbreviated). The word integral means uncontracted.

The phrase de base means "basic". In this context, "basic" means that emphasis indicators do not appear in the braille.

All of these templates, by default, use the French Math braille code for technical notation.

For the details about the DBT translator used by French: click here.

The Association Valentin Hauy (AVH) has prepared a manual in French for using DBT.

Historical French Braille Codes

Before Unified French braille was introduced in 2006, there were two main, but differing, braille codes. Both are now regarded as "historical", and should not be used unless specifically requested by the blind user.

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 historical French braille translators: click here.

Contracted Braille

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.

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.