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

Sample text in 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)

Download a font for Phono Braille

Information about Phono Braille in French
http://www.notesdevoyage.com/index.php?2008/10/19/68-alphabet-braille-revu-a-phonetically-designed-braille

Also by MF: KoreoViet

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