How blind people read
Blind people have the opportunity to read, write, and study just like anyone else, thanks to Louis Braille's extraordinary invention. The Braille system, made up of raised dots arranged in a pattern of six dots, changed the way blind people communicate with the world.
Louis Braille was born in France in January 1809. His life changed greatly when he lost his sight at the age of three due to an accident in his father's workshop. Despite this setback, Braille never let his blindness get in the way of his education. He became determined to find a solution to help all those who, like him, had lost their sight.
When Braille was twelve years old, he encountered a code used by soldiers to communicate silently at night-time without speaking or using candles. The system was called “night writing” and was made up of twelve raised dots. Although it was considered too complicated for soldiers, Braille saw potential in it and began to improve upon it by reducing the number of dots to six. With this, he created the Braille language, which he published in a book. Braille's system did not receive widespread recognition during his lifetime. It was only after his death that the Royal National Institute for the Blind promoted Braille and helped to spread its use among blind individuals worldwide.
Today, the Braille system remains a vital tool for the blind to access written material, communicate with others, and pursue their education and careers. People who have not lost their eyesight can read about 300 words per minute. Some Braille readers can read through a book at a speed of 400 words per minute. It's important to note that the original Braille system has expanded far beyond simple text reading. It now includes mathematical symbols, musical notation, and computer access codes. The Braille system has opened up a world of opportunities for blind individuals, making it possible for them to lead full, independent lives, and pursue their passions and interests.
In 1999, NASA's Deep Space 1 probe discovered an asteroid and NASA named the asteroid “9969 Braille” in honour of Louis Braille.
选自《英语周报》，版权所有，侵权必究！
如需转载，请注明出处。
