Capital B for Braille!

The Braille Authority of New Zealand Aotearoa Trust (BANZAT) is pleased to announce the results of a nationwide survey within the Braille user community regarding formatting of the word Braille in New Zealand English. A clear majority expressed a desire for the word Braille to be capitalised in all situations, regardless of whether it is being used as a proper noun or not.

In respecting the wishes of those for whom Braille is their literacy medium, BANZAT recommends that this practice be adopted in all documents or situations where the word Braille occurs.

Examples

  • This book has been published in both print and Braille.
  • I have a Braille recipe for Anzac biscuits.
  • Jane will Braille the address labels for you.
  • I am Brailling out my speech notes.
  • The paper is stuck in my Brailler.

Rationale

The word Braille, and its associated tactile reading code, came into our language thanks to its inventor, Louis Braille, who overcame sacrifices and resistance to enable today's blind population the right to fully independent literacy. Capitalising Braille gives the inventor the respect he is due.

Precedents

  • The Deaf community have asked that Deaf be capitalised when talking about their culture.
  • Many Māori words have entered NZ English and spellings corrected, thanks to the voices of Māoridom.