This study was designed (1) to describe the readability of the translation of the user manual of Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 and (2) to identify the factors influencing the readability of the translation.
This is a descriptive qualitative research. The purposive sampling technique was applied in collecting the data. The data of this research are the words, phrases, and sentences in the user manual of Samsung Galaxy Tab II 7.0. From the entire contents of the user manual, there are seven selected contents, those are Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, data usage, more settings, sound, display, and screen lock. There are also data collected from 5 respondents related to factors influencing readability.
The finding shows that, from 79 data, there are 67 data which are considered as readable translations, 5 data which are considered as less-readable translation, and 7 data which are considered as unreadable translation. The readable translations are influenced by (1) the appropriate techniques used by the translator, (2) the familiar dictions used in the translation, (3) the understandable translation of abbreviations, (4) the existence of explanation or information about specific matters, and (5) the uncomplicated phrase or sentence structure. The less-readable and unreadable translations are influenced by (1) the inappropriate techniques used by the translator, (2) the unfamiliar dictions used in the translation, and (3) the unfamiliar abbreviations found in the translation. It is concluded that the translation of Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 user manual tends to be readable translation.
This research is intended to be beneficial for students, translators, and other researchers who are interested in observing user manual of gadget translation. This research can be used as a reference about the readability of translation in gadget user manual for the readers.
Keywords: Translation, readability, user manual