Hi, First, you are correct that the dropped b is only used at the beginning if it is its own syllable. However, the com contraction is absolutely only used at the very beginning of a word, if it is in the middle, or at the end, it is a hyphen. So, if you write the word becoming in braille, the only contractions you can use are the dropped b and the I n g. You have to spell out the c o m.
I teach braille, so I spend lots of time with the usage rules. Richard -----Original Message----- From: Tessa [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2009 3:12 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [GWN] GRADE 2 AND VS I don't know about your second question but if memory serves the be contraction is only used where it is it's own sylable, so yes begin is two sylables with be being one of them where as better though also two sylables the first is bet not be. So words which begin with the word be should use the be contraction. Where this falls down using translation programs seems to be in words like becoming ;coming when I withype it in characters on the bs it looks fine but if I send it via email I believe it's going to turn the com character into a dash, this makes email a touch more challenging as one has to wonder which of the braille rules are being followed and which aren't? Tessa ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Gladstone" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Date: Thursday, Jul 23, 2009 3:52:05 Subject: [GWN] GRADE 2 AND VS > > > > > > 1. Can any of you grade 2 pundits explain why words like best, better, beep, and beer do not use the lower b contraction at the beginning of the word but words like begin, bemuse, and besot do use the lower b contraction? > 2. When I use a comma OR PERIOD after the en contraction (dots 26), the VS does not say the word "enough" but just says en. Does anyone know why? > Thank you, > Steve > . > __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4270 (20090723) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com __________ Information from ESET NOD32 Antivirus, version of virus signature database 4270 (20090723) __________ The message was checked by ESET NOD32 Antivirus. http://www.eset.com
