in order to - and localization

Subject: in order to - and localization
From: "Mary Dulin" <Mary -dot- Dulin -at- writestuff -dot- com>
To: <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com>
Date: Mon, 22 May 2006 09:22:32 -0700

I was taught that using the phrase "in order to" in technical
communication is bad, i.e., imprecise, wordy, unnecessary, and
especially bad form when documents are to be translated.

A co-worker was taught just the opposite - that especially in documents
that will be translated, "in order to" is preferred, as the meaning
comes across better when instructions are translated.

So what do you say - should the instruction read:
To change the color, select Colors.
In order to change the color, select Colors.

I'd appreciate any input on this, especially from folks with
localization expertise! thx!

Mary Dulin
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