Book Review: Burns Braille Guide: A Quick Reference to Unified English Braille

Abstract

Burns Braille Guide: A Quick Reference to Unified English Braille, Mary F. Burns. New York: AFB Press, 2015,110 pp. Paperback, $24.95; e-book (ePUB or Kindle), $17.50; online, $14.95. Burns Braille Guide: A Quick Reference to Unified English Braille, by Mary F. Burns, is a timely revision of The Burns Braille Transcription Dictionary, especially given the recent adoption of Unified English Braille (UEB) by the United States. This brief reference guide is easy to use and offers an abbreviated overview of UEB as well as a listing of commonly used literary contractions and symbols. As noted by the author, this book should not be used as an instructional textbook. Burns Braille Guide has been designed for individuals who are already familiar with braille--including braille readers, parents, braille transcribers, teachers of students with visual impairments, vocational rehabilitation therapists, and paraeducators. Burns Braille Guide skillfully complements the second edition of The Rules of UEB (Simpson, 2013), which is available on the website of the International Council on English Braille. In contrast, Burns Braille Guide presumes that readers are at least somewhat familiar with UEB, and it does not replace the rulebook, since it primarily focuses on literary braille and does not offer a complete listing of symbols or rules. Contractions and symbols are easily located in both print-to-braille and braille-to-print formats. The guide is available in paperback, as accessible e-books, and online, but it is not available in braille, which may potentially limit the benefit of the book to some braille readers. ORGANIZATION OF THE BOOK The book begins with a chapter that presents an overview of general transcribing rules and basic terminology. The section regarding general rules could have been easily expanded, and the definitions for some terms are rather technical. Layperson terminology and an associated example in SimBraille for some terms such as mode and standing alone would have aided understanding. The second chapter uses a well-organized table to alphabetically list the braille letters and contractions. The dot configuration is included for each letter and contraction. I prefer the use of hyphens between the dot numbers (such as dots 1-2-3), as are used in the first edition, but I quickly adjusted to the new style (dots 123). The third chapter includes an alphabetical listing of punctuation, commonly used symbols, and indicators. The corresponding UEB rule number is identified for each symbol, and this information should prove to be helpful for readers needing additional information or seeking associated examples in the UEB rulebook. …