In general, the word “braille” conjures up a blind person. The principle of braille is to use the sense of touch for writing and reading by means of raised dots. The braille system of writing was invented by Louis Braille in 1829. Having gone blind at the age of three as a result of an accident, he studied at the Royal Institute for the Young Blind, which had been founded by Valentin Haüy. Reading and writing were taught there with the aid of an embossed alphabet, but this method had numerous inherent drawbacks.

In 1821, LB met Charles Barbier de la Serre, who had invented a simple sonographic writing system that could be used by the blind.

After many years’ research based on this method, Louis Braille perfected the orthographic braille writing system as we know it today. This system uses the principle of the braille cell made up of 6 raised dots and, thanks to the 63 combinations of this cell, Louis Braille achieved a system of writing that could be equally well used for mathematics and for music.

This is an enlarged cell :

Different combinations of the 6 dots form the letters of the alphabet. Thus the letter "a" is represented by dot 1 of the cell, "b" by dots 1 and 2, as can be seen below.

Note that a separate sign introduces numbers. Similarly, capital letters are indicated by two dots – 4 and 6 – placed before the letter or group of letters.

Now try to read the extract in French from Saint-Exupéry’s book “the Little Prince”.

This text is transcribed in uncontracted braille, that is to say letter by letter. In the same way as the sighted devised shorthand, the blind use an abbreviated, Grade 2, form of braille which enables them to read and write faster. Here as an example is the Grade 2 version of the first line of the message quoted above.

Braille is a practical means of communication for the blind. Braille books exist covering practically all domains, from mathematics to music, to architecture, not forgetting literature.

Since its foundation, the Valentin Haüy Association (AVH) has, with the aid of numerous voluntary workers, devoted itself to teaching braille and building up a library which figures among the largest in the world and whose books are lent to the blind free of charge.

The use of braille has spread universally and a large number of commonplace objects such as watches, board games and measuring devices have been adapted for the use of blind people using this writing.

Learning braille is like learning another language: it requires time and patience. It is estimated that it takes two years to be able to read and write properly using Grade 2 braille. It is not only the blind who learn braille. The transcription of texts is generally undertaken by sighted volunteers. After 8 months’ training, one can transcribe a novel. Yet it is vital to re-train constantly if one wishes to transcribe works for the use of students or specialise in musical transcription.

Braille is produced in various ways. A metal or plastic frame can be used with a stylus, or a special typewriter with six keys corresponding to the six dots of the braille cell, or else a computer that translates, transcribes and reproduces braille. Indeed, information technology has opened up new means for the capture, repeated reproduction and long-distance transmission of braille texts.