How Many Dots Patterns or Characters are There in the Braille System

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Jun 22, 2023 10:52 AM IST

Introduction

Braille is a tactile reading and writing system that enables blind and visually impaired people to read and write through touch. Braille uses a series of raised dots on paper or other surfaces to represent letters, numbers, words and punctuation. The word ‘braille’ comes from brailler, a French verb meaning “to raise bumps”. Braille is read by passing one’s fingers over the dots that make up words or letters, reading them as they would appear on a braille page.

History of Braille

The Braille system was developed in 1824 by Louis Braille, and today there are many different versions of the system in use around the world.
Louis Braille, a blind student of the French Royal Institute for Blind Youth. He developed it as an adaptation of a system of haptic or tactile codes that were based on French military signals so that he could read without having to use his hands.
Braille was 15 years old when he developed a six-dot cell system. It was the first braille system that was invented.
This braille system was first introduced in 1829 but complete elaboration was done in 1837.

How many dot patterns or characters are there in the braille system?

There are 63 dot patterns and 64 characters in a braille system including the word space in characters.
This is possible within the six-dot cell, where the dot positions are numbered 1- 2-3 downward on the left and 4-5-6 downward on the right.
The alphabets A to J are formed by connecting the dots of 1, 2, 4 and 5. Whereas the alphabet K through T is formed by adding a dot to 3 along with the numbered dots of alphabets A to J. The last five letters of the alphabet are formed by adding dots from 3 and 6 to the signs representing A to J.
Three final letter combinations as well as the numeric indicator and two more punctuation marks are formed with various combinations of dots 3, 4, 5, and 6. Seven additional dot patterns are formed by dots 4, 5, and 6.
Through these various principles in the braille system, various signs, words, and numerals can be obtained.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How are braille dots made?

The braille dots are written with embossed paper. It can be prepared with the help of hand as well as machines.

2. How are the dots arranged in the cells of the braille system?

The dots are arranged in the cells of two vertical rows of three dots each in a braille system.

3. Are there any recent updates in braille?

Recently, an Atlas for blind people named braille atlas has been introduced. The maps are raised and embossed with simple lines and signs which makes it easy for blind people to guess accurately.

4. What kind of paper is used for braille?

A thick paper as a file folder or an index card is used for braille. According to the top results. A braille paper is recommended to have 100lb or 140/150 GSM.

5. Give two examples of how braille is written.

1. A is written as