Technical Translation: Usability Strategies for Translating Technical Documentation

Continuous 
Continuous reinforcement takes place each time an event occurs. This is 
the quickest way of promoting learning and it establishes very strong expec-
tations for the user that reinforcement will always take place. The result of 
this is a dependence on the part of the user and consequently if the rein-
forcement stops, the learning stops too. 
Intermittent 
Intermittent reinforcement, as its name suggests, is the occasional rein-
forcement of learning. While initial learning is slower, learning will be 
more autonomous and will continue even if the reinforcement stops. 
Vicarious 
This type of reinforcement involves learning from the experiences of oth-
ers. In other words, we learn to perform those tasks we see others rewarded 
for. Similarly, we learn not to perform those tasks we see others punished for.
A classic example is of a vending machine. If we see someone insert money
and obtain two cans instead of one, we will be inclined to do the same.
Conversely, if we see a person insert money but not receive any thing,
we will not risk the same fate ourselves. 
134 
As well as the positive/negative dichotomy, reinforcement can be di -

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Learning
However, with vicarious reinforcement, the learning continues until 
c
hine, if we subsequently see another person successfully use the seemingly 
broken machine, we will change our knowledge and actions to incorporate 
this new learning. 
With reinforcement, we need to adapt the type and amount of rein-
forcement according to the audience and medium being used. For example, 
vicarious reinforcement is not particularly useful for user guides and more 
advanced users may take exception to frequent and unnecessary reinforce-
ment. 
Interference 
Frequently, existing habit families will interfere with new learning. Of 
course, the opposite is also true. Applying this idea to a situation in which a 
user guide might be used, we can use the example of a user who is profi-
cient in using 
Microsoft Word
learning to use 
Corel WordPerfect
. The 
commands and procedures used to create and update a table of contents in 
Word
may interfere with those of 
WordPerfect
because the user has devel-
oped habits from using Word.
On the other hand, interference between existing habits and new learn-
ing can sometimes be positive. Returning to the idea of a 
Word
user learn-
ing to use 
WordPerfect
, some of the habits learned from Word will actually 
aid learning the new program, e.g. creating mail merges, the idea of creat-
ing templates or performing spell-checks.