As a lifelong fan of science fiction and someone who has always been captivated by stories that delve into the resilience of humanity, “The Book of Eli” (now streaming on Peacock) has left an indelible mark on my heart. Set in a post-apocalyptic world where survival is a daily struggle, the film masterfully explores themes of cooperation and differing points of view – elements that are more relevant today than ever before.
In the post-apocalyptic movie “The Book of Eli,” now streaming on Peacock, written by Gary Whitta and directed by the Hughes Brothers, we follow Eli (played by Denzel Washington) as he journeys through a barren world left behind after a devastating nuclear event. As humanity struggles to survive in this desolate landscape, the film highlights the importance of unity and diverse perspectives, particularly during trying times.
Eli is taking a Braille version of the Christian Bible to the West Coast, where a community is striving to safeguard human civilization’s artistic, literary, and cultural remnants. During his journey, Eli encounters dangerous and malevolent entities who covet the book for its power to manipulate people’s thoughts and deeds. These adversaries manage to seize the book, but Eli concealed a secret: The text was written in braille, making it indecipherable to most of the survivors who are left.
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The History and Invention of Braille
Across the planet, Braille is employed by countless individuals who are either blind or have visual impairments for reading and writing purposes. This innovative method, while not the oldest, is a significant development within human writing systems that evolved from earlier embossed writing techniques.
Initially, printers produced written letters that visually impaired individuals had to feel manually. However, this approach wasn’t very effective. In an attempt to improve communication for soldiers in the dark, Charles Barbier introduced the Night Writing alphabet in 1815. Rather than using traditional letters, it employed a grid of 12 raised dots arranged in a 6×2 pattern, each group representing a distinct sound. Unfortunately, these groups were too large to be discerned by a single finger sweep. Enter Louis Braille, who refined this concept by reducing the size of the dot-grid and arranging it in a 3×3 matrix, making it possible for blind individuals to read using their fingertips efficiently.
In January of 1809, Louis Braille was born in Coupvray, France. His father was a leather craftsman, and when Braille was just 3 years old, he accidentally hurt his eye with one of his father’s tools. The injury led to an infection that caused him to lose sight in both eyes. Despite his visual impairment, Braille excelled at school, and he even earned a scholarship to the National Institute for Blind Youth in Paris. It was there that he learned about the Night Writing system developed by Barbier. Determined to make it better, Braille spent his time refining this system, eventually creating what we now know as the Braille system.
How Reading and Writing Braille Works
Braille reduced the size of each cell by half, decreasing the number of dots from 12 to six, and streamlined its alphabet. Over time, this system has evolved and now consists of 63 characters, ranging from one to six raised dots. When inscribed on paper or other surfaces, these characters can be read by tracing them with fingers. Braille’s classmates quickly adopted his enhanced reading and writing method, which then spread widely. Interestingly, the six-dot cell structure of braille makes it versatile for expressing a wide range of information. People around the globe utilize it to communicate mathematics, scientific notation, musical notation, and numerous languages.
In essence, Braille functions as a tactile representation of written words and sentences by translating each letter individually from the English alphabet. However, it’s important to note that mastering Braille involves more than just recognizing individual letters. It includes learning symbols for common words, such as “and,” “for,” “of,” “the,” etc., as well as combinations like “ch,” “sh,” “th,” and “er.” Additionally, there are symbols for punctuation, contractions, capitalization, and other modifications in communication. Although you can pick up the Braille alphabet quickly, achieving fluency takes time and understanding the unique way Braille handles language within a tactile medium.
Reading braille typically requires using both hands: one hand glides along the current line while the other locates the start of the next line, creating a smooth flow as you move from one line to another by separating and rejoining your hands. Writing in braille is performed on a multi-layered slate with a sheet of paper resting against a surface containing tiny pits. Using a stylus, the writer presses the paper into the pits, forming raised bumps that can be felt on the other side. Since you’re essentially writing on the reverse side, the process is done from right to left. Afterward, the page is flipped over so it can be read from left to right. Machines similar to typewriters are also available for embossing paper more conveniently.
To effectively read or write braille, it’s beneficial to grasp how the system functions first. Each cell has six dots labeled with numbers: the left column from top to bottom is 1, 2, and 3, while the right contains 4, 5, and 6. The English alphabet’s initial ten letters (A-J) are formed using only the upper two rows (dots 1, 2, 4, and 5). For the subsequent ten letters (K-T), add dot 3 (bottom left) to each of the first ten. Letters U, V, X, Y, and Z require both bottom dots (3 and 6) with the first five letters as a base. The French alphabet, which didn’t have a ‘W’ when braille was created, was added later and doesn’t follow the usual rules; instead, it’s made by adding only dot 6 to the letter J.
Starting with Braille can help you understand basic content within it, but much like learning the alphabet in elementary school, this is merely the beginning. The richness of communication through Braille extends far beyond these basics, serving as a gateway for visually impaired individuals to engage with information and entertainment they might otherwise miss out on.
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2024-08-08 19:46