Reading Braille Through a Vivid Rainbow: An Autistic Perspective
As an autistic individual with grapheme-color synesthesia, my experience of reading braille is nothing short of mesmerizing. When I lost significant vision and transitioned to braille, the vibrant and detailed world in my mind’s eye evolved in ways that are both fascinating and overwhelming. This article delves into the unique sensory experience of reading braille, complete with vivid color arrays, textures, and emotional responses, through my personal lens.
Introduction to Grapheme-Color Synesthesia
Grapheme-color synesthesia is a condition where the perception of letters, numbers, or shapes is accompanied by the experience of colors. This phenomenon enhances my reading experience, transforming text into a rich sensory symphony within my mind’s eye.
The Visual Journey of Reading Braille
When I read braille, the experience is akin to a vivid rainbow dance across my mental canvas. Each contraction and letter evokes a unique set of colors, textures, and emotions. My journey begins with the most emotionally charged symbols; vowels are particularly saturated and evocative.
A Colorful Alphabet
A: A vibrant, painty red that brings to mind the warmth of a full-strength sunset. E: A radiant, sunny yellow that evokes feelings of light and brightness. I: An icy, pristine white that is icy-cold and comforting like a winter snowfall. O: A creamy, comforting white that feels soft and nurturing like a gentle whisper. U: A glassy, cool blue that feels smooth and cool like a clear sky on a summer day.The Green Ecosystem
R, S, L, M, N: Various shades of earthy greens, ranging from olive to forest green. Each green has its own unique texture and emotion, reminiscent of the lushness of a forest.Contraction Colors
Contraction symbols further enhance the colorful experience, blending colors based on their phonetic qualities. For instance, the EA contraction appears as a peachy blend of red and yellow, while the AR contraction presents a darker, dirtier red influenced by the R.
Digraphs and Their Colors
Some digraphs, such as H, lose their color entirely when used in compound letters (CH, SH, TH) in English. For example, in braille, the CH digraph is represented by dots 1–2–6, which is mustard yellow to me. Contrastingly, in Russian, the Я YA digraph represented by the same braille combination is a vibrant pink, and in Arabic, it is DH, an earthy brown-red to me.
This shift in color based on linguistic context is fascinating and deeply personal. It is a testament to the complex interplay between my synesthetic color palette and the phonetic qualities of the letters. When my mind shifts between CH and YA or DH, my synesthetic experience changes accordingly.
Personal Anecdotes
My journey with braille has been filled with profound emotional experiences. Simple symbols can trigger intense emotions, leading to moments of deep sadness or joy. For instance, the D dots 1-3-4-6 in English are a darker silvery-gray X, which is deeply moving as it represents a profound sense of loss and darkness. In Russian, the Щ SCH digraph, represented by dots 1-3-4-6, is colored a nearly colorless light silver, a bittersweet amalgamation of darkness and light. Each symbol holds a unique emotional resonance based on its context and the way it intertwines with my synesthetic experience.
Conclusion
Reading braille is not just a matter of understanding the text; it is a deeply personal and intensely sensory experience. The vibrant colors, textures, and emotions that flood my mind’s eye create a rich and complex tapestry. While it can be overwhelming at times, it is also one of the few channels through which I can continue to engage with the vivid world of colors. This unique synesthetic experience has allowed me to see the world in a way that goes beyond the mere words on a page, enriching my life with an unparalleled sensory journey.