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Microsoft used to publish a localization guide containing their terminology along with the official Microsoft translations. My copy is roughly 15 years old, but I'm sure you can still find it somewhere. MS puts a lot of money into localization, and that includes helping 3rd parties produce MS-compatible sw.
Joe
Joe Malin
Technical Writer
(408)625-1623
jmalin -at- tuvox -dot- com
www.tuvox.com
The views expressed in this document are those of the sender, and do not necessarily reflect those of TuVox, Inc.
-----Original Message-----
From: techwr-l-bounces+jmalin=tuvox -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com [mailto:techwr-l-bounces+jmalin=tuvox -dot- com -at- lists -dot- techwr-l -dot- com] On Behalf Of Christine Hüttmann - transdoc
Sent: Thursday, October 12, 2006 12:28 AM
To: Techwriter
Subject: WG: Newbie question - GUI terminology - Many thanks
Thank you very much for sharing your experience with me.
I have talked to my colleague in England, who is currently translating parts
of the German Help, and we have agreed on a couple of conventions for the
English version.
Unfortunately, the German original is rather poor - as regards complying
with general GUI conventions. This is partly due to the software being
inconsistent.
There is still one problem:
The German uses "Symbolschaltfläche" to describe a button with a graphic on
it (toolbar button) and the button itself is not shown. And there are no
mouseover texts.
I am currently working my way through the software to find out what happens
when clicking on these buttons.
I would use tool button here, but this doesn't seem to be generally accepted
terms. Any suggestions your end?
We are currently translating an online Help into English and have a couple
of questions. Any help from experienced writers is much appreciated.
1) Does a dialogue box, window or message box appear or open?
2) What is the button next to the "Look in" box, for example, called?
Is it a toolbar button although there is no "toolbar" or is it a tool
button?
There a different types of this button, e.g. a button with a calendar. When
you click on it a calendar "opens (appears)where you can select a date.
The Microsoft Manual of Style is not very helpful here (I also doubt that
Microsoft's recommendations should be followed strictly).
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format plus PDF, HTML and more. Flexible, precise, and efficient content
delivery. Try it today! http://www.webworks.com/techwr-l
Easily create HTML or Microsoft Word content and convert to any popular Help file format or printed documentation. Learn more at http://www.DocToHelp.com/TechwrlList
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