What is the Difference Between Uncontracted Braille and Grade 1 UEB? - SusanJ/UEB_back GitHub Wiki

The terms uncontracted braille and Grade 1 braille are often used interchangeably but they have separate specific meanings in UEB. UEB is contracted braille; it employs almost all of the contractions that have long been a part of English braille codes. Uncontracted braille is any braille that doesn't use contractions. Grade 1 is a translation mode used in standard, contracted UEB braille.

Although standard UEB uses contractions, it is possible to produce UEB-based uncontracted braille by omitting the contractions but following all of the other UEB rules. Various learner braille specifications, which omit some but not all of the allowed contractions, can also be used along with the other UEB rules.

The UEB Grade 1 mode is activated by one of its Grade 1 indicators and, depending on the situation, is terminated either implicitly by specific contexts or explicitly by the Grade 1 termination indicator. When UEB Grade 1 mode is active any symbol that would otherwise be interpreted according to the default rules of contracted UEB braille has either its obvious uncontracted meaning or a Grade 1 meaning specified by UEB rules. In many instances UEB Grade 1 mode has the same effect as what was called the letter sign in earlier English braille codes. However Grade 1 mode has additional UEB-specific uses with which braille readers and transcribers need to be familiar.

An example of UEB's possibly unexpected use of its Grade 1 mode can occur in alphanumeric items. UEB numeric mode automatically sets a special Grade 1 mode. However an explicit Grade 1 symbol indicator is also required whenever one of the letters a-j immediately follows a numeric symbol. Another example is the requirement for a Grade 1 symbol indicator to be applied to the subscript and superscript indicators when used in non-technical material so they won't be misread as the en and in contractions.