Translate a user manual into English

What changes when a manual moves into English

A multi-chapter user manual mixes instructions, interface labels, safety notices and internal cross-references. English handles each of them in its own way, whatever the source language.

• Imperatives, one action per sentence. English manuals say Press the Power button, not The Power button is to be pressed or To press the Power button.
• Signal words. Safety boxes use established terms such as WARNING, CAUTION and NOTE; check that each matches the level of risk in the original.
• Numbers. Many languages use a decimal comma; English uses a point. 2,5 mm becomes 2.5 mm, and 1 200 or 1.200 becomes 1,200.
• Plurals. English has only two categories, one and other, and zero takes the plural: 0 items. A message such as {n} file(s) copied reads better as two forms, 1 file copied and {n} files copied.
• Length. Coming from French, English text is usually 10 to 15% shorter, so pages tighten and page references drift.

British or American English: pick one and keep to it

A manual for the US market and one for the UK or Europe are not written identically. Decide on your readership before ordering.

• Spelling: colour, centre, licence in British English; color, center, license in American.
• Dates: 04/03/2025 means 4 March in the UK and 3 April in the US. Writing the month out (4 March 2025) removes the ambiguity in a manual.
• Units: American readers often expect Fahrenheit or inches alongside metric values. Adding them is a product decision, not a translation one.
• Paper size: the file comes back in its original layout, so an A4 manual stays A4. If it will be printed on US Letter, plan that adjustment yourself.

Check the spelling variant in the free sample, then harmonise the few words that differ if needed.

What Manuce returns, and what it does not do

Your manual is translated by Dédale, Manuce's engine for technical documentation. The file comes back in its original format (Word, PDF, PowerPoint, HTML, Markdown, RTF, plain text and more) with headings, numbered steps, tables and styling intact. A typical manual of around 8,000 words, roughly 30 pages, is delivered within minutes and stays available in your client area.

What Manuce does not do:

• It cannot read a scanned PDF: if the text cannot be selected, there is nothing to translate.
• Text inside a screenshot is an image, not text: your interface captures stay as they are and need retaking from the English version of the software or device.
• It does not take glossaries or term lists: a model name or feature name that must stay unchanged is something to check in the sample and then in the translation.
• It does not produce certified (sworn) translations, which are rarely needed for a manual but sometimes requested in regulatory files.

The Professional level suits a manual going to customers; Essential is enough to understand a manual you received for internal use.

Preparing the file

• Send the source file. Word or HTML translates more cleanly than an exported PDF and stays editable afterwards.
• Check the text is real: in a PDF, try selecting a sentence. If nothing highlights, find the original document.
• List the interface labels. If your software or device already has an English interface, note its actual labels (Settings, Save As, Factory Reset): the manual must match them exactly.
• Remove duplicates: repeated chapters or obsolete appendices count towards the word total in the quote.
• Use automatic cross-references rather than a typed see page 12, since pagination will shift.

Checking the English version

1. Update the table of contents and cross-references. Shorter text moves page numbers; in Word, refresh the contents table and reference fields.
2. Compare labels in the manual with the English interface: Press OK is wrong if the button reads Confirm.
3. Reread safety notices word by word: a CAUTION downgraded to a NOTE changes what the reader is told.
4. Check figures: decimal points, units, voltages, torque values.
5. Check plural agreement in error messages and troubleshooting tables.

In practice

1. Export your manual as Word, HTML or a PDF with selectable text.
2. Upload the file: the quote appears based on the exact word count.
3. Read the free sample and check spelling variant and product names.
4. Pay, then download the translated manual in its original format.
5. Refresh contents and cross-references, and replace the screenshots.