Phono Braille
The Braille alphabet is a transcription of letters into plot-based
characters to be read by blind readers through touch. However the
characters are primarily built following the alphabetical order of the
Latin alphabet on which is superposed a systematic sequence of plot
patterns. Hence the final plot-characters have neither consistency
with the shape of the initial Latin letter, nor with the sound of
the letter itself.
This project, by MF, consisted in rethinking
this construction rule and offering more consistency between characters
and sounds.
Notable features
- Type of writing system: alphabet
- Direction of writing: left to right in horizontal lines
- Used to write: English
- Since it is a revision of the Braille alphabet, this
transcription shares its same features. - Latin characters were organized in a phonetic table according
to their usual phonetic values, despite some approximations. (Shown
in orange in the chart) Braille characters are built logically, with
respect to their phonetic position in the table. - Consonants are formed of at least four dots, occupying all three
levels of the pattern. Vowels are exclusively formed of the two lower
levels of the pattern. Approximants use the two higher levels and have
strong similarities with their associated vowel, respectively I and Y,
U and W.
Phono Braille
No IPA signs are used because Phono-Braille gives a transcription
of Latin letters, whose phonetic values may vary depending on the
context and language.
The letters whose location is not phonetically consistent, and
symbols differing from the current French Braille alphabet, are in
orange.
Sample text in the Phono Braille
Transliteration
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They
are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another
in a spirit of brotherhood.
(Article 1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights)