I also do not see how one could read more efficiently by attempting to read
braille with eight fingers. Borrowing from computer terminology to get at my
point, I don't believe that the mind has enough "CPU POWER" to process input
from eight channels, interpret and unify all those inputs, and handle all the
switching required as the two hands move over one line, return to the
beginning, and descend to the next line. I must admit, though, that I am now
75 and maybe not quite as fast and sharp as I was in my teenage and early 20's
years. I am more aligned with the idea of the index finger on each hand
involved in the reading, with the "switching" between the two hands variable
but happening somewhere at or slightly beyond the center of each line. Most of
my braille reading these days is not speed reading, so I have great flexibility
in how I want that "switching" to occur at any one time.
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> On Behalf
Of Judy Jones
Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2019 10:41 PM
To: optacon-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [optacon-l] Re: Braille Users, a bit off-topic
Hi,
I have not heard of reading braille with the eight fingers, and to me would
seem inefficient, as you need to be able to track as you read, just as a
sighted person starts out by using a hand to track as you learn to read. I am
noticing here my pinkie fingers never touch the braille. The other fingers can
help track but aren't doing the reading.
I have mainly used the index fingers to read with.
I also took the Hadley braille speed reading course in the 80s when it was
offered, and one was encouraged to start reading the first half of the line
with the left hand, having the right index finger meet in the middle of the
line and finish up the end of that line, while the left hand is moving to the
beginning of the next line.
By the time the right hand has read the last half of the previous line, the
left hand has already moved down and is starting on the first half of the next
line. Your right hand simply moves to the middle of that next line to again
finish the right half of that line. Your right hand never goes farther back
than the right half of the line, and your left hand never really strays farther
than the left half of the line. On a longer display, I notice I'll use my left
ring finger to keep my place at the beginning of the line.
Your hands are always moving and reading that way, and because of that, when
note takers came into being, I have always used the left end of an advance bar,
left whiz wheel, or scroll button to advance the display.
This works on note takers two, although you have to wait a split second longer
before advancing the display so your right hand can finish reading.
The index fingers do the main reading, and the other fingers help you stay on
the line I guess.
Judy
“Embrace each day with His mercies and blessings.”
-----Original Message-----
From: optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:optacon-l-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On ;
Behalf Of David
Sent: Sunday, November 10, 2019 3:56 PM
Subject: [optacon-l] Braille Users, a bit off-topic
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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