Nemeth Code Rules

RULE VI--PUNCTUATION SIGNS AND SYMBOLS

Punctuation Indicator _
Punctuation Marks
  • Apostrophe
    '
    Example as described in the content
    verbose
    apostrophe
    Listen to MathSpeak
  • Colon
    3
    Example as described in the content
    verbose
    colon
    Listen to MathSpeak
Comma
  • Literary
    1
    Example as described in the content
    verbose
    comma
    Listen to MathSpeak
  • Mathematical
    ,
    Example as described in the content
    verbose
    comma
    Listen to MathSpeak
Dash
  • Short
    --
    Example as described in the content
    verbose
    minus
    Listen to MathSpeak
  • Long
    ----
    Example as described in the content
    verbose
    large-dash
    Listen to MathSpeak
Ellipsis
'''
Example as described in the content
verbose
ellipsis
Listen to MathSpeak
Exclamation Point
6
Example as described in the content
verbose
Exclamation-mark
Listen to MathSpeak
Hyphen
-
Example as described in the content
verbose
hyphen
Listen to MathSpeak
Period
4
Example as described in the content
verbose
period
Listen to MathSpeak
Question Mark
8
Example as described in the content
verbose
question-mark
Listen to MathSpeak
Quotation Marks
  • Left inner
    ,8
    Example as described in the content
    verbose
    left-single-quote
    Listen to MathSpeak
  • Left outer
    8
    Example as described in the content
    verbose
    left-quote
    Listen to MathSpeak
  • Right inner
    0'
    Example as described in the content
    verbose
    right-single-quote
    Listen to MathSpeak
  • Right outer
    0
    Example as described in the content
    verbose
    right-quote
    Listen to MathSpeak
Semicolon
2
Example as described in the content
verbose
semicolon
Listen to MathSpeak

§36. Modes of Punctuation: Since numerals are represented by symbols in the lower part of the cell, and since these symbols also serve as punctuation marks, it is necessary to formulate rules concerning punctuation so that the meanings of such symbols are unambiguous. This Code employs two modes of punctuation--mathematical and literary.

§37. Use of the Punctuation Indicator: Subject to the provisions of §38, the punctuation indicator must be used before a punctuation mark and after any symbol of the type listed below. In all these circumstances, the mode of punctuation is considered to be mathematical.

i. After any braille indicator.

§38. Non-Use of the Punctuation Indicator: It must not be assumed that because a punctuation mark occurs that the punctuation indicator must be used. The punctuation indicator must not be used under any of the circumstances listed below. In all these circumstances, the mode of punctuation is considered to be literary.

(1) The principal trigonometric functions are "sine", "tangent", and "secant".

§39. Plural and Possessive Endings: The apostrophe-s combination may be joined to numerals, letters, and other mathematical expressions to form their plurals or possessives. When, in ink print, the apostrophe has been omitted, it likewise must be omitted in the transcription. The choice between the singular and plural form of a word is sometimes shown by enclosing an "s" within parentheses.

§40. Colon: It must not be assumed that the colon must be followed by a space as is generally the case in English Braille.

§41. Comma:

a. When a comma is used as a mark of punctuation in a situation in which the mode of punctuation is mathematical, the comma is referred to as the mathematical comma. Otherwise, the literary comma must be used.

b. No space must be left after the comma which is used as a numeric symbol except for the purpose of achieving alignment.

§42. Dash (Long): The long dash must be preceded and followed by a space. However, no space may be left between the long dash and any of the items listed below, provided these items apply to the long dash.

§43. Ellipsis:

a. Any dot or series of dots in print which represent an omitted term, entry, or line is an ellipsis. It must be represented in braille by a minimum of three dots.

b. The ellipsis is subject to the same spacing rules as the long dash. See §42.

§44. Exclamation Point: The exclamation point is represented by the same sign of ink print as the factorial sign. The context is usually sufficiently clear in regard to this distinction so that the possibility of doubt in choosing the proper symbol is small.

§45. Hyphen: The hyphen is represented by the same sign of ink print as the minus sign. Since the corresponding braille symbols also coincide, a minimum of decision-making in this regard is required of the transcriber. A space must be left between a hyphen and an adjacent dash.