This section presents the underlying rules governing the transcription of Technical Material. Some of the more common symbols are defined and simple examples of their use are included.

More detailed examples, lists of symbols and guidance covering a wider range and complexity of technical material are provided in the publication Unified English Braille, Guidelines for Technical Material.

Refer to: Guidelines for Technical Material when dealing with works of a technical nature, such as educational material in the areas of Mathematics, Science and Computer Studies.

Generally phonetic material within a text is identified in print by being enclosed in square brackets. Use the opening IPA bracket and closing IPA bracket. The effect of the opening IPA bracket is terminated only by the closing IPA bracket and not by a space.

Phonemic material within a text is normally enclosed in solidi (forward slashes) in print. Use the opening IPA slash and the closing IPA slash.

When IPA Braille and one other non-UEB braille code are used in a text, then non-UEB indicators can be used without identifiers for the other non-UEB braille code.

When print does not use square brackets or solidi (forward slashes) to identify IPA material, and when the nature and extent of the material cannot be determined by context or format, then use the general opening IPA indicator and the general IPA terminator to enclose the IPA material.

To temporarily switch from IPA Braille to UEB, use the general IPA terminator and return to IPA Braille with the general opening IPA indicator.

Some common operation signs

+ plus

− minus (when distinguished from hyphen)

× times (multiplication cross)

÷ divided by (horizontal line between dots)

Some common comparison signs

= equals

< less than, or opening angle bracket

> greater than, or closing angle bracket

Refer to: Guidelines for Technical Material, Part 3, Signs of Operation, Comparison and Omission, for a full list of operation and comparison signs.

When isolated calculations appear in a literary text, the print spacing should be followed.

Transcribe music according to the provisions of New International Manual of Braille Music Notation. Follow its provisions to determine when indicators are needed to switch between UEB and music braille.

For other modes of indicating tone, including arrows and position, use the tone symbols in this section.