Section 15
  Line-Numbered and Line-Lettered Text

This section focuses on a variety of numbering and lettering patterns found in the print left or right margin. This is seen most frequently with poetry and plays, but it is used also for referencing a specific line or paragraph for discussion or activities in prose. (See Formats, §13, Poetry and Song Lyrics and §14, Plays, Cartoons, and Graphic Novels.)

A Braille Reader's Perspective. General braille rules tell the braille reader that a grade 1 symbol indicator precedes a letter and a numeric indicator precedes a number. It is best to always follow this rule for consistency, especially when transcribing material for younger children. Using grade 1 or numeric indicators for line numbers/letters unequivocally identifies whether the character at the end of a line is a letter or number, making it easier for the reader to determine whether the character is there to show a rhyme scheme or a line number.

Margin-numbered print paragraphs may have numbers in the right or left margin that are typically used as a reference for discussion.

a.  Follow print for blocked or indented paragraphs.

b.  Insert the paragraph number before the beginning of the paragraph.

c.  Number every paragraph, even if only some paragraphs are numbered in print.

(See Sample 15-1: Margin-Numbered Paragraphs on page 15-8.)

The following provisions apply to print line numbers in either the left or right margin.

a.  Line-numbered text may not appear on any line with a print or braille page number.

b.  Place the line number, with the numeric indicator, at the right margin of the braille line on which the print line begins.

c.  All line-numbered text ends so that at least two blank cells separate the text and the longest line number on the braille page.

d.  Do not repeat the line number when a print line is longer than one braille line.

e.  Follow print when a word is divided at the end of a line.

f.  Resume using the full width of the line after the completion of the line-numbered text.

g.  A transcriber's note can extend to the right margin when placed before the beginning of, or following the end of, the line-numbered text.

Prose is ordinary speech or writing without rhyme or meter. Observe the following guidelines, in addition to the points outlined in Formats, §15.3:

a.  Follow print for indented or blocked paragraphing.

b.  Every print line of prose is numbered in braille, even when the lines are not numbered in print.

c.  Three blank cells precede a new print line when it begins in the middle of a braille line. Do not insert three blank cells before a new print line when it begins a new braille line. (See Sample 15-2: Prose Numbered Every Ten Lines on page 15-9.)

d.  On the Transcriber's Notes page, inform the reader about the function of the three blank cells when line-numbered prose occurs in more than one section in a volume. Insert a transcriber's note before the text when the three blank cells is used in only one section. Sample:

Three blank cells occurring within a braille line indicate the beginning of a new print line.

(See Sample 15-3: Line-Numbered Prose with Transcriber's Note on page 15-10.)

e.  Two individually numbered print lines cannot start on the same braille line, as only one line number can be at the margin. (See Sample 15-4: Short Numbered Lines on page 15-11.)

Poetry is typically written in meter or verse. Observe the following guidelines, in addition to the points outlined in Formats, §15.3:

a.  Use poetry format. (See Formats, §13, Poetry and Song Lyrics.)

b.  Follow print for line numbers. Do not add numbers that do not occur in print.

c.  Maintain the two-cell margin before print line numbers whether these numbers are implied or actually shown.

(See Sample 15-5: Poetry Line Numbers on page 15-12.)

When a play is written in verse, observe the following guidelines:

a.  Use format outlined above in Formats, §15.5.1 a–c.

b.  Insert three blank spaces in braille when in print a significant blank space is left between the speaker's name and the first word of the dialogue. A transcriber's note is required explaining this format.

(See Sample 15-6: Lines of Dialogue on page 15-13.)

Each prose and verse section is formatted according to the guidelines for indention patterns for that format.

a.  Prose. Every print line is numbered.

b.  Verse. Use only the line numbers shown in print.

(See Sample 15-7: Mixed Prose and Poetry on page 15-14.)

Paragraph Format. Follow print for spacing and capitalization when a rhyme scheme is indicated by a linear sequence of lowercase letters within the narrative body of text. Retain font attributes used for rhyme scheme letters. The rhyme scheme letter should be on a line with at least one word of the material to which it applies.

Example 15-1: Poetic Rhyme Scheme within Body of Text

Poetry with Line-Lettered Rhyme Scheme

a.  Use poetry format. (See Formats, §13, Poetry and Song Lyrics.)

b.  Line-lettered text cannot appear on any line with a print or braille page number.

c.  Use line number format (see Formats, §15.5) when rhyme scheme letters are printed in either the left or right margin.

d.  Place each letter, preceded by the grade 1 indicator as required, at the right margin of the braille line on which the lettered line begins.

e.  Omit font attributes.

f.  Do not repeat the letter when a print line requires more than one braille line.

g.  End all lines in this format so that at least two blank cells are left before the rhyme scheme letters.

Example 15-2: Rhyme Scheme in Right Margin

Poetry with Line-Numbered Rhyme Scheme. Observe the following guidelines, in addition to the points outlined in Formats, §15.7.2:

a.  Use poetry format. (See Formats, §13, Poetry and Song Lyrics.)

b.  Follow print for line numbers. Do not add numbers that do not occur in print.

c.  Place line numbers, preceded by the numeric indicator, at the right margin.

d.  Position the letters of the rhyme scheme so that they end one cell before the longest line number on the braille page.

(See Sample 15-8: Poem with Line Numbers and Rhyme Scheme on page 15-16.)

Word counts are used for timed readings and typing tests. The numbers fall at the end of the print line.

a.  Treat counted words as line-numbered text, leaving three spaces at the end of each line of text.

b.  Insert a transcriber's note explaining the use of the three blank cells, and that the number refers to the end of the print line. Sample:

Three blank cells indicate the end of a print line. The numbers in the right margin are the number of words read at the point of the three blank cells.

c.  Insert a blank line between the transcriber's note and the beginning of the line-numbered material.

(See Sample 15-9: Marginal Numbers Indicating Words Read on page 15-17.)

Specific formats and guidelines are provided by many sponsoring agencies for the transcription of religious materials.

Follow print when the print is in paragraph format and verse numbers are within the paragraphs.

When text is in verse format:

a.  Begin each verse on a new line using 3-1 margins.

b.  Place the verse number, including the numeric indicator, at the right margin of the first braille line in the verse.

c.  All lines of text in this format end so at least two blank cells are left before the beginning of the longest verse number on the braille page.

d.  Do not repeat the verse number if it is more than one line.

e.  All notes to the text are at the bottom of the print page.

f.  Do not place line-numbered text on any line with a print or braille page number.

g.  Note changes in print format on the Transcriber's Notes page.

(See Sample 15-10: Marginal Numbers Used for Verse Numbers on page 15-18.)

Sample 15-1: Margin-Numbered Paragraphs, page 15-8
Sample 15-2: Prose Numbered Every Ten Lines, page 15-9
Sample 15-3: Line-Numbered Prose with Transcriber's Note, page 15-10
Sample 15-4: Short Numbered Lines, page 15-11
Sample 15-5: Poetry Line Numbers, page 15-12
Sample 15-6: Lines of Dialogue, page 15-13
Sample 15-7: Mixed Prose and Poetry, page 15-14
Sample 15-8: Poem with Line Numbers and Rhyme Scheme, page 15-16
Sample 15-9: Marginal Numbers Indicating Words Read, page 15-17
Sample 15-10: Marginal Numbers Used for Verse Numbers, page 15-18

Sample 15-1: Margin-Numbered Paragraphs

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Sample 15-2: Prose Numbered Every Ten Lines

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Sample 15-3: Line-Numbered Prose with Transcriber's Note

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Sample 15-4: Short Numbered Lines

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Sample 15-5: Poetry Line Numbers

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Sample 15-6: Lines of Dialogue

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Sample 15-7: Mixed Prose and Poetry

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Sample 15-8: Poem with Line Numbers and Rhyme Scheme

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Sample 15-9: Marginal Numbers Indicating Words Read

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Sample 15-10: Marginal Numbers Used for Verse Numbers

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