Technical Translation: Usability Strategies for Translating Technical Documentation

Other Functions 
Although the function of user guides is to educate and guide the readers, 
Weiss (1985:12) divides this 
instruction
function into a further three sub-
functions which may be attributed to individual user guides to varying ex-
tents. This additional sub-categorisation is by no means exhaustive and it is 
conceivable that several more functions could be attributed to user guides. 
The following paragraphs are intended merely for illustrative purposes. 
Tutorial 
According to Weiss (
ibid.
), tutorials are “instructional materials intended to 
train neophyte users.” Typically, such materials follow a simple task-
orientated format aimed at helping absolute beginners take the first crucial 
steps in using a product. The subjects covered in tutorials tend to be basic, 
bottom-up concepts. Tutorials thus can be described as providing learning 
support as opposed to the purely procedural support provided by instruc-
tions. 
Demonstration 
Weiss defines demonstrations as “materials aimed at teaching a process or 
activity to a competent or experienced reader.” Such materials literally 
teach users by showing them how to do something. Demonstrations show 
entire processes in a top-down manner because the users already have an 
understanding of the basics, what they need to know is how to put these 
basic steps together to complete a significant task. 
Reference 
This type of information is aimed at advanced users who, according to 
Weiss “know what they need to know.” Rather than explaining why cer-
tain information is important and how it relates to other information, the 
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Technical Communication 
reference material is simply a compressed version of key facts relating to the 
product.