I've never heard that you use all 8 fingers to read braille. They just
have to come along as you read. I find that my left index finger is my
main reading finger although I'm trying to train my right one, too. It
reads but very slowly and usually takes care of the ends of lines. My
left middle finger will work in an emergency. With the Optacon it's the
left index and possibly the middle would do, again in an emergency.
Natalie
On 11/10/2019 6:55 PM, David via Talk wrote:
I know this is a bit off-topic, yet been wondering and wanted to hear
people's opinion on the matter. it seems this somehow have been
discussed before, still, what do you think.
As any Braille user will know, we are supposed to use 8 fingers for
reading fast and effeciently. That is, the fingers on both hands, except
our thumbs. True enough, thumbs ar on the page, but I am not aware if
anyone would claim that they really read with their thumbs. When
discussing Braille reading back in time, my impression is that though we
use 8 fingers on the page, seemingly particularly ONE finger stands out
to be the number-one for reading. That finger is the one the user will
prefer, should he ever need to read something with only one finger. And
you often do want to do one-finger-reading. Whenever you are to find a
volume in your bookshelf, or you are to read the Braille tag telling the
color of your cloghing, or any other narrow and tight places. Try
searching for the page number in a book, using 8 fingers. Smile.
My big wondering here, could be three-fold - at least. First of all, is
this the case, that you have one "main finger" for reading Braille?
Secondly, if so, say you are a right-handed person, is your prefered
finger then on your left or right hand; and consequently same question
for left-handed people. Number three, which finger is your prefered one?
Will it be your Index-finger, Middle-finger or does your preference sit
with any of the others? Even, we could be tempted to ask if people find
the same finger being their main "seeing" finger, whenever you are to
explore your way on any surface, or perform daily tasks around the
house, office or workshop.
Those who happen to be users of the no-longer manufactured reading
equipment named Optacon, would be using mainly one finger, due to the
very shape of the Optacon itself. And though it might be nice to know
alternative on that equipment, my question widens out for Braille users
in general, due to that being a more representative group.
For one, I find that I have one finger, that is of special good service.
Whether it comes to Braille, or simply just "seeing" what I am doing
when working, that one finger is my top preference. Should I - for any
reasons - find that the finger is out of business for a day or two,
braille reading as well as many daily living tasks, become somehow more
challenging. And I could think of people suffering from Diabetes - who
have to punch their finger tips seveeral times a day - probably they
prefer to leave their prefered-finger untouched by any puncher.
Not to disturb you all in making up your own mind, for now I will leave
it untold which finger I personal find most useful. If anyone feels like
sharing their experience, or know of any study that has been dealing
with the matter, it would be nice to hear your feedback. Otherwise,
maybe this message might just have made you aware of something of lesser
interest, yet quite puzzling.
Sorry, to those who find it too much off-topic.
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