18:08 Aug 29, 2010 

What are you translating? The software itself or a document referring to a piece of software?

Assuming it is the latter, then normally you would quote any software options as they appear on the screen. If the software is not localised, then the button would of course appear in English and any translated documentation would refer to options in English - often followed by a translation in brackets - eg. "Klicken Sie auf 'Continue' (Weiter)." Ideally, you should check this with the client.

18:07 Aug 29, 2010 

Yes, you need to know if the software itself was/will be translated, and - if it is translated - the client should let you know the term(s) used in the user interface (i.e., what the user will see on the screen). If the software exists in English only, often the clients likes us to put a translation of the respective German term in brackets (either with the first occurance or with all occurances), so it might look something like "Klicken Sie auf Continue (Weiter), um auf die nächste Seite zu blättern". Best would be, to check the situation with the client ....

17:43 Aug 29, 2010 

Dear translators do you all agree with 'meirs' that in order to know whether or not to translate a screen button I need to know whether the software only exists in English or whether the whole software is being translated into German; I believe it's just in English and will remain in English.

14:37 Aug 26, 2010 

Pardon?

13:49 Aug 26, 2010 

Agree with 'meirs'. How to translate this will depend on what you are actually translating (ie. the context).

12:11 Aug 26, 2010 

richtig schwierig wird's erst bei dem Button:
http://www.t-ocker.de/assets/images/14sw.jpg

11:44 Aug 26, 2010 

Your remark is very much to the point and should always be put accross to the principals in similar cases, because they never bother to tell, at least in my case and even with regular clients. In case of doubt, leave as such and put translation between brackets [square brackets are my favourite]

11:17 Aug 26, 2010 

A keyboard button or a screen button. If first, do not translate; if second, translate if the software is translated too.