Dutch Dutch Flag

Table Designator

nld

This is the technical description of a DBT Translation table. If you want more general information about languages and template choices, please see the list of templates.

Initially, the language table for braille translation is determined by the selected template, and may be changed using the Document / Translation Tables menu. Using those menus does not require use of the table designator. However, to switch to a different translation table partway through a file, one must enter a DBT code and the designator for the table to switch to. For switching secondary languages within a base language table, see the [lng~X] command. For switching from one base language to another, see the [lnb~...] command.

Functional Summary

The Dutch tables support print-to-braille translation of Dutch-language literary text in grade 2 (contracted) or grade 1 (uncontracted) braille.

Braille to Print (Back-translation)

Braille-to-print translation is supported for this language. However, braille-to-print translation may not be perfect, therefore beware that errors can occur. If you find errors or have suggestions, please send both the *.dxb and *.dxp files along with an explanation to: languages@duxsys.com. Please be sure to include sample files!

Special Requirements and Limitations

There are no special requirements or limitations.

Secondary Languages Supported

No secondary languages are supported. However, it is possible to switch to any of the available translation tables listed in DBT. (See the [lnb~...] code below.)

Technical Braille Codes Supported

No technical codes are supported.

However, it is possible to switch to any of the available translation tables listed in DBT (see the [lnb~...]code below), many of which do support various technical codes, such as for mathematics or computer notation, or which support “unified” treatment of technical notation as well as literary text in the base language associated with the table.

Supported DBT Translation Codes

The following DBT translation codes are available when using the Dutch table.Any other translation codes used will be ignored, or indeed may cause unexpected results.If using an alternative translation table, i.e.when switching to another base language table by means of the [lnb~...] code, please refer to the relevant topic and available codes for that table.

[/] -- ignored

[ab] is equivalent to [g2]

[cz]

[fte~b]

[fte~i]

[fts~b]

[fts~i]

[g1] switches to "grade 1" (uncontracted) braille.

[g1l] switches to "grade 1" (uncontracted) braille and "locks" that setting.

[g1u] undoes the "locking" effect of a prior [g1l], while leaving the contraction grade as "grade 1" (uncontracted) braille.

[g2] switches to "grade 2" (contracted) braille (which is the normal mode for this table).

[g2l] switches to "grade 2" (contracted) braille and "locks" that setting.

[g2u] undoes the "locking" effect of a prior [g2l], while leaving the contraction grade as "grade 2" (contracted) braille.

[in] is equivalent to [g1]

[lnb]

[lnb~...] (for switching to another base [primary] language table)

[lng...] -- ignored.

[tx]

Characters Supported

The table is designed to work with the following groups of characters:

All ASCII printable characters

Accented characters and punctuation marks typical of French, German, Italian, and Spanish

British pound sign (£)

The above is a general guide only (see "General Notes" section at the beginning of this document).

References, History and Credits

These tables are based upon the information given for Dutch in "World Braille Usage," a joint publication of UNESCO and the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped, Washington, D.C. (1990).

Uncontracted Dutch tables were originally developed in September 1997 by Duxbury Systems, Inc. Mr. Marten Post Uiterweer has provided feedback used in subsequent revisions of those tables. In March 2004, at the request of Dr. John Gardner of ViewPlus Technologies, Suzanne M. van den Bercken provided information on the few contractions commonly used in Dutch braille, which gave rise to these contracted tables.

(Documentation reviewed: July 2010.)