15. Short-Form Words
Once all groups of contractions have been introduced, you can turn full Grade 2 translation
on.
Forward translation - converting print to braille
Forward translation means that you can send a regular text to the MB, and it will convert it
to braille and emboss it on paper or store it as a braille file in memory. The text sources
can be from a regular PC keyboard, a portable note-taker, or a computer.
The most common way of using Forward translation on the MB is via a PC keyboard. In
this way, anyone can write information on the PC keyboard and have it automatically
converted to braille. This is a potent tool in an educational setting, as it allows everyone to
participate in braille. It is also a handy feature in various settings for leaving braille notes
and producing a wide range of other brailled materials (like birthday cards) that often do
not get brailled.
Using a PC (QWERTY) keyboard
1) Connect the PC keyboard to the USB port on the right of your MB Tutor,
2) Enter the command FE to turn on Forward Translation (in English versions, the
default is Grade 2)
Now, start to type on the PC keyboard. The MB will store your information in a buffer and
emboss it every 80 characters, or you can empty the buffer by pressing the Enter Key
twice. To change the Grade of braille, use FGR 1 for Grade 1 or FGR 2 for Grade 2. Many
keys on the PC keyboard have the same function as keys on the MB.
Here is a list of forward translation commands:
Keys on the PC Keyboard
Keys on the MB Keyboard
Windows key
Command
Enter
New Line
Down Arrow
Four-way manipulator down
Up Arrow
Four-way manipulator up
Left Arrow
Four-way manipulator lleft
Right Arrow
Four-way manipulator right
Space
Space
Backspace
Backspace
Menu item
Command Description
Forward translation settings/
Emboss forward translation toggle
FE
Forward translate and emboss. Toggle
Forward translation settings/Basic
translation toggle
FB
In basic mode each word is embossed
after the space key is pressed. This
function automatically switches to
uncontracted Grade 1 braille. Toggle
FM filename
Forward translate and send to ‘filename’
in memory (turns embosser off).
Mountbatten Brailler Tutor User Manual v. 1.0.3
Page 35
