
           LESSON 9:  DOUBLE LETTER SIGNS, (ea) AND SHORT FORM WORDS

SECTION I:  DOUBLE LETTER SIGNS AND THE (ea) SIGN
Part I:  Information

  bb (2-3)   cc (2-5)   dd (2-5-6)    ff (2-3-5)   gg (2-3-56)   ea (2)

NOTE:  The full-cell (dots 1 thru 6) is placed before each contraction only 
       as a frame of reference and is NOT part of the contraction.

1.  Introduction
Each of these double-letter signs and (ea) can also be used to represent some
other contraction or punctuation.  To avoid confusion to the braille reader,
these signs may only be used between letters and/or contractions within a 
word.

2.  These contractions SHOULD be used:

2.1 when a word ending in any of the double-letter combinations or (ea) is
    followed by a suffix, or another word to form a compound word.

    EXAMPLES:    in    (st)u(ff)ed     but not in     (st)uff
                 in    p(ea)pod        but not in     pea            
                 in    e(bb)(ed)       but not in     ebb
                 in    (st)i(ff)ly     but not in     (st)iff
                 in    t(ea)pot          and in       s(ea)man

2.2 a final consonant is doubled before adding the suffixes -ed, -en, -er
    and -ing.

    EXAMPLES:     scru(bb)ed        hi(dd)(en)
                  di(gg)(er)        we(bb)(ing)

2.3 they overlap minor syllable divisions, such as between a prefix and
    the root or a word, and would not obscure recognition of the word.

    EXAMPLES:     a(ff)ect     e(bb)(ed)     e(cc)(en)tric
                       a(gg)ravate     a(dd)ress

2.4 The (ea) sign should be used when the word endings -al, -an, and -ate
    are added to a base word or root ending in `e'.

    EXAMPLES:     caes(ar)(ea)n        bor(ea)l

3.  These contractions SHOULD NOT be used:

3.1 at the beginning or end of a word.

    EXAMPLES:      egg    eat(ing)    ma(st)iff     easy    sea

3.2 when in contact with a hyphen or an apostrophe.

    EXAMPLES:     diff'r(en)t     sea-isl(and)     (sh)(er)iff's

3.3 If any word beginning with (ea) is preceded by a prefix or another word to
    form a different word, the (ea) sign should not be used because this would
    change the usual form of the base word.  The only exception to this rule
    is in the word "(dis)(ea)se".

    EXAMPLES:     uneasiness      nor(th)ea(st)(er)n      uneat(en)

3.4 The (ea) contraction should not be used when the suffixes -able, -age, or
    the endings -aginous, -alogy are added to base words or roots ending in
    `e'.  The exception to this rule is the word l(in)(ea)ge, referring to
    ancestry.

    EXAMPLES:    mileage       traceable      l(in)(ea)ge

3.5 When a prefix ending in `e' is added to a word beginning in `a', the (ea)
    sign should not be used.  The `ea' sign should be used when the `re' is
    not a prefix.

    EXAMPLES:    rea(ff)irm        reappe(ar)        pre(ar)range
                 r(ea)lize         r(ea)d(er)

3.6 When the letters they represent are divided between components of a com-
    pound word the (ea) contraction is not used.

    EXAMPLES:    dumbbell      h(ea)ddress      wiseacre      p(in)eapple

3.7 When a diphthong `ae' occurs within a word, the letter `e' must not be 
    combined with another letter to form a contraction.  However, when a tri-
    graph occurs, the (ea) contraction may be used since both letters occur
    within the trigraph.

    EXAMPLE:    tabl(ea)u      b(ea)u geste      b(ea)utiful

3.8 When a choice must be made between two contractions within a word, al-
    ways use any alternative one-cell contraction in preference to the
    double-letter contractions and the (ea) contraction.

    EXAMPLES:    he(ar)d        af(for)d        (of)f(en)sive     
                 squab(ble)     (the)at(er)

This concludes the information on Double Letter Signs and the (ea) Sign.
When you are ready press Esc to return to the Submenu and the exercises.


Part II:  Braille to Print Exercises
1.  "Teddy, please eat the peas and carrots with the fork and not the
    knife!" cried his embarrassed parent while dining out.
2.  "Can I have 2 eggs instead of just 1 egg as the menu states?" asked the
    restaurant patron.
3.  Taking a paddle boat down the Mississippi River is a relaxing trip for
    the whole family.
4.  "I don't care if you call it a mermaid or a sea-maid, I'm certain of
    what I saw!" the old mariner cried.
5.  After a twenty mile walk the hikers' muscles were all very stiff, so
    they relaxed in a jacuzzi.
6.  A yearly record was made of all miscellaneous expenditures of company
    personnel.
7.  A good teacher would readily accept any attempt of the students at doing
    the very best they can.
8.  The soccer team was uneasy about playing the game, because the next op-    
    ponents were supposedly the best team in the league.
9.  The dogged efforts of a single juror, who believed the accused was in-
    nocent, kept the jury in dead-lock.
10. The salt in the sea irritated the child's eyes so she wore goggles as
    she paddled over the waves.
11. Grandpa would call me a hobbledehoy when I was growing up as I could be
    quite clumsy.
12. The recent college graduate expected a more luxurious living space, but
    could only afford an efficiency.
13. Rocco dearly wanted a career as an oceanographer, so he took all the
    geology and biology courses that were available.
14. The sudden loud noise terrified the nervous sheep, consequently they
    all huddled in the far end of the pasture.
15. After the incident, LaVerne did not easily accept the fact that she was
    blind.

Part III:  Braille to Print Exercises
1.  Jhendi's make-up accentuated her beauty in a very subtle manner.
2.  Every Christmas Mom keeps an eye on Uncle Bobby--she has good reason--
    for last year he spiked the eggnog with his home-made whiskey.
3.  July 20th, 1994, is the 25th anniversary of man's walk on the moon.
4.  Maddy said that the clean child was a "ragamuffin in disguise."
5.  I will not drink coffee black--not even if it's freshly brewed--but
    add a little cream and sugar and I'll drink the entire pot.
6.  "Glen, would you please announce the second runner-up," asked the pag-
    eant emcee.
7.  Our records indicate that his lineage contains royal blood, and that he
    may in fact be eligible for knighthood.
8.  In early America the pineapple was a sign of friendship.
9.  McCaffney's tableau of the landing of the Pilgrims received tremendous
    praise.
10. Fran will do only the odd-numbered items in the math textbook.
11. The wolf said he would huff and puff and blow the door in, but the three   
    little pigs did not believe it.
12. Buddy's Mom grew aggravated after he chipped a teacup while washing
    the dishes.
13. Which game would you rather play, Scrabble or Outburst?
14. I am afraid a good number of the eighth grade students memorized the
    Preamble with little knowledge about what it means.
15. Hidden beneath the stairwell we discovered a stiffly pressed, old-
    style doorman's uniform.

Part IV:  Proof Reading Exercises
The baffled child eyed the broken leg on the hobby horse with suspicion.  In his
make-believe travels the hobby-horse was a good friend.  It carried the little
boy over miles of fluffy white snow, over meadows, accented with flowers, and
across the ocean blue.  The little boy asked "Could Daddy fix it?"  It seemed
that Daddy could fix anything.


SECTION II:  SHORT-FORM WORDS
Part I:  Information

     herself          themselves          him          himself
     h(er)f           (the)mvs            hm           hmf

          your             yourself            yourselves
          yr               yrf                 yrvs

          its              itself              myself
          xs               xf                  my

The following rules pertain to the short-form words listed above only.  A com-
plete list of rules for short-form words is included in Braille Module 3.

1.  Never spell out a word that may be represented by a short-form word.  When
    dividing a word that consists of a short-form word and an additional syl-
    lable, never spell out the short-form word even though it may be possible
    to write a portion of the word on one line and the remainder on the next.
    It is preferable to retain the normal appearance of the short-form word.

2.  A short-form should never be divided between lines.  However, whan a syl-
    lable has been added to the short-form word, a division may be made be-
    tween the added syllable and the short-form word.

    EXAMPLES:       imm-            un-               lr-
                   ly             nec            h(ea)d


     This concludes the information on Short-Form Words.  When you are ready,
press Esc to return to the Submenu and the practice exercises.


Part II:  Print to Braille Exercises
1.  Dorsey was beside himself with anger when he learned of his friend's
    devious plot.
2.  "Falsely blaming yourselves will only protect the real culprit," yelled 
    the police sergeant.
3.  Shane agreed that protecting himself from bears while camping is an impor-
    tant safety issue.
4.  Although Moira wrote the lyrics herself, a good friend and musician wrote 
    the music.
5.  The dogsled team reached the finish line, despite the loss of its leader
    dog.
6.  I am quilting a blanket for myself and hope I finish it before Christmas.
7.  Most teenagers take themselves too seriously.
8.  Your attorney will prepare the necessary papers for a legal sale of the
    land.
9.  "May the rain be always at your back."
10. Ed Gaffey's tour group allowed themselves 4 hours at each stop.
11. Do not meddle in the affairs of my family, or you might find yourselves
    in deep trouble.
12. The sign, which Leona made herself, read:  "all riffraff welcome--just
    leave your attitude at the door!"
13. Because of the violent storm, the puppy became disoriented and could
    not get itself back home.
14. If it were your own child being accused of cheating you would most
    certainly ask yourself if that could be entirely true.
15. My husband loves seeing the latest movies just as they are released, but
    as for myself, I would rather wait until they come out on video.

Part III:  Braille to Print Exercises
1.  "I keep telling myself that soon I will be a real whiz at braille, but
    it's still not happening!"
2.  The people of Telluride decided that they would keep the secret of the
    great skiing in the area for themselves only.
3.  "Your taffeta dress has just been completed and is ready for you," bub-
    bled the excited sales clerk.
4.  Pineapple chunks on top of two scoops of icecream is a real favorite for
    Ted during the stuffy temperatures of summer.
5.  Heidi spent all the pocket change her Dad gave her on the fudge candy, so
    she made sure she ate a few pieces herself before offering it as treat for
    others.
6.  Rocco told himself that the test was an informal measure, and that it would
    not be used for his semester English grade, thus he could relax.
7.  "Pour yourselves a cup of tea from that teapot on the tray while we
    chat," suggested Aunt Alicia.
8.  As the wagon trail folks traveled in a southeasterly manner, they sud-
    denly realized they were fooling themselves following the idiot guide.
9.  The plan itself wasn't defective, it was the eccentric old man who was
    supposedly in charge that made it difficult and ineffective.
10. Reaffirm your intent on fulfilling this contract, or it will be negat-
    ed.
11. This year for the spring play, the seniors wrote, casted, directed,
    and produced the entire show themselves
12. I kept telling myself that I will wake up early and watch the sun
    rise, but I just keep hitting that snooze button.
13. Although she was worried about her boy friend's travels abroad, Monique
    kept reminding herself that "no news is good news."
14. Xuhua still continues blaming himself for your unfortunate accident.
15. I am often convinced that this computer has a mind of its own.

Part IV:  Proof Reading Exercises
The red-eyed tree frog of the Central American rain forests lays its jelly-blob
eggs in trees overhanging ponds.  The tadpoles hatch in about a week and drop in
the water and do their best to avoid having themselves be gobbled up.  They are
the favorite snack of snakes.


SECTION VII:  SELF-TEST
Part I:  Information

          If a man is called to be a streetsweeper, he should sweep
      streets even as Michelanelo painted, or Beethoven composed
      music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry.
          He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of 
      heaven and earth will pause to say, here lived a great 
      streetsweaper who did his job well.
                                    Martin Luther King, Jr.

Part II:  Print to Braille Exercises
1.  The egg lady owned the chicken farm on the northeast side of town.
2.  Coming home from school, boys and girls alike could not resist stomping
    and splashing in the newly formed rain puddles.
3.  Erin tied the ribbon in her hair herself this morning when she got ready
    for pre-school.
4.  The whole family stuffed themselves at the Thanksgiving meal and most
    took a nap afterwards.
5.  "I would like my steak seared on both sides with its center a deep red,
    or I will send it back," demanded the stuffy customer.
6.  The couple loaded the ladder in the truck themselves instead of waiting
    for help from the salesman.
7.  Mr. Keane realized if he prearranged his schedule himself, rather than having
    the company secretary do it, he would arrive home earlier.
8.  She could not afford the dress from the store so Lena decided that she
    could sew it herself for half the cost.
9.  They spent the morning paddling the canoe down the meandering river.
10. In an attempt at controlling himself with sweets, he made an effort of
    using saccharine instead of sugar.

Part III:  Braille to Print Exercises
1.  The train headed for Seattle leaves in 10 minutes, so you better grab
    your duffle bag and get going!
2.  I didn't realize Nan would do a shoddy job on the cream puffs, or I
    would have made them myself.
3.  Even though Claude has lived in The States for fifteen years, he still
    retains a great deal of his European accent.
4.  Our compass reading indicates that we travel southeast for 500 yards,
    and then we can start digging beneath the boulder for the hidden treasure.
5.  Sure you could buy yourself an expensive car, but you would not get
    near as good mileage, and repairs will cost a lot more.
6.  The sheriff's deputy was the 1st cop on the scene and caught the diamond
    smugglers redhanded.
7.  Stop spoiling the kids, and start letting them do things for themselves.
8.  Lately it seems that my office computer has a mind of its own.
9.  Debbie assured us that the restaurant staff would be very accommodating
    during our meal.
10. "Don't get so down on yourselves for not winning the soccer game fel-
    las.  We'll just practice harder for the next match," encouraged the coach.

Part IV:  Proof Reading Exercises
1.  The streets were littered with rubble following the storm.
2.  The house was deserted, and an uneaten meal was still spread on the table.
3.  Mr. Eaton was puffing contentedly on a huge cigar.
4.  Mrs. Hobbes was a stiff-necked old aristocrat who did not mingle with the  
    rabble.
5.  Suddenly the hubbub ceased!