The purpose of indicators is to change the meaning of the following braille characters or to change an aspect of the following text (e.g. to indicate capitals or a special typeface).

When using foreign code signs for basic elements of the script and/or for accents, that is, categories (1) and (2) above, it is permissible though not required to use the foreign code signs for any of the other categories. Do not use a UEB sign that conflicts with an element in the foreign code. Also do not mix foreign code signs and the equivalent UEB signs for the same language in the same book.

Many braille signs have more than one meaning.

When foreign code signs are used, do not use UEB contractions

In a foreign language braille code, it is possible to have six categories of sign:
1. Signs representing the basic elements of the script (whether alphabet, syllabary, or other);
2. Signs representing accents (including indicators of breathing, tone, stress or quantity);
3. Punctuation signs and indicators;
4. Ancillary signs (including any signs liable to occur in literary contexts, which may or may not be more prevalent in technical material, such as the ampersand, asterisk, bullet, at sign, dagger, and the signs representing basic mathematical operations);
5. Technical signs, which are unlikely ever to appear in literary contexts;
6. Contractions.
Refer to: The most recent edition of World Braille Usage which lists by country signs used in categories (1) to (3).

The reader determines the meaning of a braille sign in several ways:

• by its spacing (e.g. the vertical solid line segment)
• by applying the Standing Alone rule (e.g. alphabetic wordsigns)
• by its position in relation to other signs (e.g. opening nonspecific quotation mark, line indicator, final-letter groupsigns)
• by the mode in effect (e.g. digits, arrow indicator)

Use an indicator to establish the mode which determines the meaning of the braille signs which follow.

Note: The list below gives the basic indicators and the modes which they set. It does not include indicators for extended modes (e.g. grade 1 word indicator and grade 1 passage indicator), indicators for variations (e.g. bold arrow indicator), subsidiary indicators (e.g. superposition indicator used in shape mode) or terminators.

Use an indicator to change an aspect of the text which follows.

Note: The list below gives the basic indicators of this type.

The list below gives other indicators.

A mode established by a UEB indicator may not extend through a switch to another braille code.