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Multiple Templates for English

The English language has multiple DBT Templates.

The use of Unified English Braille (UEB) is now required in all English speaking countries. Accordingly, the "English (UEB)" templates all use the UEB translator. They differ with respect to math translation or formatting (the list of DBT styles and the effects of those styles).

The acronym, BANA, stands for the Braille Authority of North America. In past releases of DBT, the "BANA" DBT templates would not work well if you were importing a Word document without using a BANA Word template. This is no longer a problem. 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 and UEB math translation. The template English (UEB) - BANA with Nemeth uses UEB text translation along with Nemeth Code translation for math and technical notation.

DBT still includes the templates for producing braille in the codes used before the introduction of UEB braille.

Here is the list of the older DBT Templates previously used in the United States:

Here is the list of the older DBT Templates previously used in the United Kingdom:

Meeting Exacting Standards

For users in the United States, the BANA DBT templates are used to meet exacting formatting standards. Frequently, 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.

For users in the United Kingdom, the recommended DBT template is English (UEB) - UK formatting. This DBT template can also accept files that use a BANA Word Template.

Math Issues in English

As of 2016, UEB has been adopted throughout the English-speaking world. In the United States, the adoption of UEB included the retention of Nemeth Code for technical notation. As mentioned above, the tools in DBT for producing UEB according to BANA standards allow for a choice of Nemeth Code or UEB math for technical notation. The difference between the two DBT templates English (UEB) - BANA and English (UEB) - BANA with Nemeth comes from how the three styles math, math-TextInMath, and OneWordBridge are defined. The style OneWordBridge is defined in both UEB BANA templates but is meaningful only in the "with Nemeth" template.

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 use spaces around signs of comparison. Signs of operation are usually not spaced, though some braille jurisdictions choose otherwise, as the case requires, to meet the educational needs of some readers, etc. The UEB translator does not automatically add spaces for either situation. However, in Global Settings - Import Options, there is 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.

For the details about the DBT translator used, first select one of the DBT Templates for this language.

Contracted Braille

English 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. Be fore 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