Technical Translation: Usability Strategies for Translating Technical Documentation

Random Trial-and-Error 
This process involves the random selection and implementation of opera-
tors until the goal state is achieved. Naturally, such an approach can be ex-
tremely inefficient and time-consuming 
Hill Climbing 
This involves gradual movements away from the initial state and towards 
the goal state. This approach can result in misleading choices and increase 
the time needed to reach the goal state. 
Hypothesis Testing 
Hypothesis testing is similar to trial-and-error but instead it is a purely cog-
nitive activity. Rather than testing a large number of random possible solu-
tions, a smaller, more considered range of solutions is tested. Knowledge of 
the problem area is used to restrict the selection of possible solutions to 
ones which have a realistic chance of success. 
Algorithms 
These are sets of precise rules or procedures which guarantee the successful 
solution of the problem. Algorithms take a set of rules and processes that 
have worked in the past and apply them to the current problem. 
Heuristics 
Heuristics are similar to algorithms but differ in the fact that they do not 
guarantee success. Rather, they are general guidelines or “rules of thumb” 
(Ellis & Hunt 1993:267; Coe 1996:123). They are loose sets of procedures 
which can assist in solving a problem. One useful heuristic is the means-end 
analysis. This is a complex process whereby a person works on a single goal 
at a time. If it is not possible to reach the goal state at present, the goal is 
divided into sub-goals with the aim of removing the obstacles to the 
achievement of the primary goal (Anderson 2000:253; Gavin 1998:103). 
Once we have selected and implemented a solution, the next stage is to 
see whether it worked. Here too, a clear understanding of the problem and 
also the solution is needed in order to determine the success of the solution. 
This essentially involves some form of judgement as to the effectiveness of 
the solution. 
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The Transition from Problem-Solving to Skill