Technical Translation: Usability Strategies for Translating Technical Documentation

Typography and Formatting 
The fonts and formatting used on text in a user guide play an essential role 
in the effectiveness and usability of a user guide. The main requirement 
when choosing fonts is that they are clear and consistent (Austin & Dodd 
1985:50; White 1996:204). Fonts can be defined using three basic charac-
teristics (White 1996:203): 
Font Type
Font type refers to the general design of the font. Fonts are divided into 
what are known as 
serif
and 
sans-serif
fonts. Serifs are small strokes or con-
tinuations at the top and bottom of individual characters or letters. Serif 
fonts, such as 
Times New Roman
and 
Bembo
, feature these small strokes; 
sans-serif fonts, such as 
Arial
and 
Century Gothic
, do not (see
Figure 2).
Whereas sans-serif fonts are clearer, more visually striking and generally 
ideal for titles and headings, serif fonts are easier to read over a prolonged 
period of time and are suited for use on body text. This is because the serifs 
allow the reader’s eye to follow the reading line better by leading from one 
letter to the next (D’Agenais & Carruthers 1985:185). 
Font Styles
Font styles refer to variations or alternative forms of a font style such as 
ital-
ics 
or b
bold. Italics can be used to highlight definitions, to emphasize words, 
to denote trademarks or foreign words. Italics can also be used to highlight 
a word the first time it is used. Bold is used to emphasize words or to draw 
attention to certain information. 
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Technical Communication 
Font Size
Font size is measured in points. Sizes generally range from 5-point for small 
text right up to 72 for headlines. Standard text normally uses 10 or 12 point 
fonts. 
Figure 2: Serif and Sans-Serif Fonts