Technical Translation: Usability Strategies for Translating Technical Documentation

Software Documentation 
Software documentation is a term encompassing a wide range of publica-
tions and text types ranging from simple “read-me” files and instructions for 
use right up to high-level technical specifications. So before we begin
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Software Documentation
scribing these different texts, perhaps we should examine exactly what we
understand by 
software 
and 
documentation
. 
Software 
We can define software as the non-hardware components of a computer. In 
other words, it can be regarded as the data elements (rather than the 
equipment) which are fundamental for the operation of computers”. Mi-
crosoft defines software as “computer programs; instructions that make 
hardware work” (Microsoft Press 1998). Combining these definitions is 
perhaps the most enlightening approach in that we can see that software is 
that part of a computer system which is not physical but which is responsi-
ble for making the computer and all of its hardware work. Within the gen-
eral concept of software, it is possible to distinguish between a number of 
subtypes: 
Systems Software
This type of software includes operating systems which are to a certain ex-
tent responsible for “the workings of the computer” (Microsoft Press 1998). 
This category of software also includes language systems, utility systems and 
file management systems. They also verify application programs and allow 
peripheral devices to interface with each other (Houghton-Alico 1985:2). 
Applications Software 
Essentially, applications perform the tasks for which people use computers. 
Examples of applications include word processing, spreadsheets, graphics, 
databases etc. 
Hybrid Software 
Hybrid software is neither systems software nor application software but 
rather it contains elements of both types of software. Examples of this type 
of software include network software, language software which program-
mers use to write programs, airline reservation systems and online banking 
systems. 
Firmware 
Firmware lies somewhere between hardware and software routines stored 
permanently in read-only memory. This type of software remains unchanged
and undamaged even if there is no electrical power supply. Firmware
generally consists of basic start-up routines and input/output instructions
(Microsoft Press 1998). 
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Technical Communication 
Documentation 
Documentation can be described as “the set of instructions shipped with a 
program or a piece of hardware” (Microsoft Press 1998). Houghton-Alico 
(1985:6) provides a more detailed explanation when she defines documen-
tation as: 
...the collection of documents that explain, describe, and define the pur-
poses and uses of a particular software program or a system made up of 
multiple programs. 
Documentation generally includes a variety of different documents such as 
system requirements, set-up instructions, instructions for use, maintenance 
information etc. All of these types of document can be classified under the 
following headings: