JAPANESE
TABLE DESIGNATOR
jpn
(The initial translation table for a translation is determined by the selected template, and may be changed using the Document / Translation Tables menu. Using those menus does not involve explicit use of the table designator. However, in cases where it is necessary to switch to a different translation table partway through a file, the designator for the table being switched to is required; see the general description of the [lnb~...] command for further details.)
FUNCTIONAL SUMMARY
The Japanese tables support print-to-braille translation of Japanese-language literary text into uncontracted Japanese braille.
Uncontracted English is also supported. Technical (mathematics and computer) notation is generally transcribed as in Unified English Braille (UEB).
REFERENCES, HISTORY AND CREDITS
To generate Japanese braille, one really needs a skilled human being. At this point there is no way to produce quality Japanese braille in the framework of the Duxbury Braille Translator. However, rather than abandon the project, we offer a very rough start.
Japanese is a combinaton of three script systems: Hiragana, Katakana, and Kanji. Braille for Hiragana and Katakana are fairly straight forward. Here are two resources consulted: The Wikipedia article on Japanese Braille at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japa- nese_Braille and Japanese Braille Tutorial By Mitsuji Kadota.
Kanji is where things get difficult. Basically, once needs to obtain the correct pronunciation of the Kanji in the linguistic context of the text being translated. What Duxbury DBT does is offer a fixed replacement with Hiragana and/or Katakana during file import (see important note below). This transformation is based on The KANJIDIC/KANJD212 Project. We are greatful for the language specialists that offer this material on the web for our use. We welcome suggestions on ways to improve on our work.
Japanese uses a common codespace in the Unicode for the Kanji with "Chinese characters". Duxbury DBT 11.1 handles this by having three separate tables that assist in the file importation from Microsoft Word. Go to Global Menu, Word Importer. There is a new selection for "Default language for Han (Chinese) script". The three choices are Mandarin, Cantonese (Yue), and Japanese. Make sure you select Japanese before importing any files.
(Documentation reviewed June 2010)
Duxbury DBT: Braille Translation in Many Languages.
