Technical Translation: Usability Strategies for Translating Technical Documentation

Technical Specialist 
These include engineers, designers, programmers and testers who need in-
formation in order to assemble, develop or operate the software. This type 
of readership generally has a very high level of technical knowledge and the 
information they need must be precise, detailed and comprehensive. 
Documents for this type of readership will contain technical terminology, 
complex procedures etc. 
Production and Promotion Managers 
These are the people who decide on the production and marketing strate-
gies for the software. Documents for this readership need to explain the 
software so that the readership can understand the potential the software 
can have on a market, what new markets can be targeted, and how produc-
tion should be carried out. 
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Technical Communication 
Administrators 
These include supervisors, vice presidents, board members etc. who need 
to understand the technical aspects of the software in order to draw up 
benefits, policies, costs and so on. 
Clients; Stockholders 
These are people who are outside the physical workplace and who are in-
terested in the practical uses and benefits of the software in order to clarify 
purchasing or investment decisions. 
Laypersons 
Although we can define this group as the general public who are only in-
terested in general information, it might be more useful to say that layper-
sons are the general population of users, namely the people for whom the 
software is a tool in their daily working lives. As such, this group needs 
clear information on the uses of the software and how to utilise the func-
tions effectively. This information is presented in the form of user guides 
which contain a broad range of information intended to help readers use 
the software and find more information if needed. The following section 
will examine user guides in much greater detail. 
Mancuso (1990:58-59) provides a slightly different set of reader catego-
ries which is more specific in its definitions. It also presents certain factors 
and guidelines which Mancuso believes should be taken into account in or-
der to meet the needs of the readers. 
Manager:
The information should be organised in the form of problem-
solution, general-to-specific or most important-to-least important informa-
tion.