_ _    _ _____  ___   __                       
 __      _(_) | _(_)___ / ( _ ) / /_   ___ ___  _ __ ___  
 \ \ /\ / / | |/ / | |_ \ / _ \| '_ \ / __/ _ \| '_ ` _ \ 
  \ V  V /| |   <| |___) | (_) | (_) | (_| (_) | | | | | |
   \_/\_/ |_|_|\_\_|____/ \___/ \___(_)___\___/|_| |_| |_|

Nigerian braille

In today's world, Nigerian braille remains a topic of great interest and relevance. Whether we are talking about Nigerian braille's influence on society or its impact on the global economy, it is undeniable that Nigerian braille arouses the curiosity and attention of a large number of people. Throughout history, Nigerian braille has been the subject of numerous debates and studies, demonstrating its importance in different areas. In this article, we will explore different aspects related to Nigerian braille, analyzing its evolution over time and its relevance today.

Several braille alphabets are used in Nigeria. For English, Unified English Braille has been adopted. Three other languages have been written in braille: Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba. All three alphabets are based on English readings, with the addition of letter's particular to these languages. Punctuation is as in English Braille.

Basic braille alphabet
⠁ (braille pattern dots-1) ⠃ (braille pattern dots-12) ⠉ (braille pattern dots-14) ⠙ (braille pattern dots-145) ⠑ (braille pattern dots-15) ⠋ (braille pattern dots-124) ⠛ (braille pattern dots-1245) ⠓ (braille pattern dots-125) ⠊ (braille pattern dots-24) ⠚ (braille pattern dots-245) ⠅ (braille pattern dots-13) ⠇ (braille pattern dots-123) ⠍ (braille pattern dots-134)
a b c d e f g h i j k l m
⠝ (braille pattern dots-1345) ⠕ (braille pattern dots-135) ⠏ (braille pattern dots-1234) ⠟ (braille pattern dots-12345) ⠗ (braille pattern dots-1235) ⠎ (braille pattern dots-234) ⠞ (braille pattern dots-2345) ⠥ (braille pattern dots-136) ⠧ (braille pattern dots-1236) ⠺ (braille pattern dots-2456) ⠭ (braille pattern dots-1346) ⠽ (braille pattern dots-13456) ⠵ (braille pattern dots-1356)
n o p q r s t u v w x y z

The letters of these languages beyond the basic Latin alphabet are as follows:

Hausa Braille

Hausa Braille
Script type
alphabet
Print basis
Hausa alphabet
LanguagesHausa
Related scripts
Parent systems

Hausa includes

⠟ (braille pattern dots-12345)
kw
⠩ (braille pattern dots-146)
sh
⠌ (braille pattern dots-34)
ts
⠫ (braille pattern dots-1246)
ɗ

from English q, sh, st, ed (international second d), and three derived letters:

Basic letter: ⠃ (braille pattern dots-12)
b
⠅ (braille pattern dots-13)
k
⠽ (braille pattern dots-13456)
y
Derived letter: ⠆ (braille pattern dots-23)
ɓ
⠨ (braille pattern dots-46)
ƙ
⠯ (braille pattern dots-12346)
ƴ

Hausa is presumably written in braille in Niger as well, since Ethnologue 17 reports that Zarma is written in braille in that country. However, this need not mean it uses the same alphabet as Nigerian Hausa.

Igbo Braille

Igbo Braille
Script type
alphabet
Print basis
Igbo alphabet
LanguagesIgbo
Related scripts
Parent systems

Igbo Braille has

⠟ (braille pattern dots-12345)
kw
⠡ (braille pattern dots-16)
ch
⠣ (braille pattern dots-126)
gh
⠩ (braille pattern dots-146)
sh

from English q, ch, gh, sh, and six other letters with common international/African values:

Basic letter: ⠃ (braille pattern dots-12)
b
⠑ (braille pattern dots-15)
e
⠊ (braille pattern dots-24)
i
⠕ (braille pattern dots-135)
o
⠥ (braille pattern dots-136)
u
Extended letter: ⠆ (braille pattern dots-23)
gb
⠢ (braille pattern dots-26)
⠔ (braille pattern dots-35)
⠪ (braille pattern dots-246)
⠳ (braille pattern dots-1256)
⠬ (braille pattern dots-346)
ŋ

(See Ewe Braille and Kabiye Braille for similar code assignments.)

Yoruba Braille

Yoruba Braille
Script type
alphabet
Print basis
Yoruba alphabet
LanguagesYoruba
Related scripts
Parent systems

Yoruba Braille also has

⠟ (braille pattern dots-12345)
kw
⠩ (braille pattern dots-146)

(from English q, sh), and three derived letters:

Basic letter: ⠃ (braille pattern dots-12)
b
⠑ (braille pattern dots-15)
e
⠕ (braille pattern dots-135)
o
Derived letter: ⠆ (braille pattern dots-23)
gb
⠢ (braille pattern dots-26)
⠪ (braille pattern dots-246)

The vowel assignments follow international conventions.

References

  • Braille Notation Booklet on the Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba Orthographies: A Research Work on Standard Braille Codes for the Blind in Nigeria, March 1981 – April 1982
  • UNESCO (2013) World Braille Usage, 3rd edition.