Upgrading and headers/titles wonky; variable names being used, not variable contents

[sobebabies]

In process of upgrading to 1.3.8 and instead of seeing the contents of variables, I see the actual variable names. You'd think I mucked around with a file somewhere, but I really haven't changed much source and it's been like this since I first upgraded so I really don't think it was something I did. Here are some examples:

Up top, I see:
HEADER_TITLE_CATALOG HEADER_TITLE_LOGIN HEADER_TITLE_CART_CONTENTS HEADER_TITLE_CHECKOUT


HEADER_SALES_TEXT

and my all my boxes too - categories is BOX_HEADING_CATEGORIES

and so on. I'm sure there is a simple fix! I can send a link privately if anyone wants to see what I mean.

[Kim]

What version are you upgrading from?

[sobebabies]

From version 1.3.7.

[sobebabies]

This also means my buttons aren't working. For example, here is some generated code:
<!--bof Add to Cart Box -->
<div id="cartAdd">
PRODUCTS_ORDER_QTY_TEXT<input type="text" name="cart_quantity" value="1" maxlength="6" size="4" /><br /><br /><input type="hidden" name="products_id" value="507" /><input type="image" src="includes/templates/template_default/buttons/english/BUTTON_IMAGE_IN_CART" alt="BUTTON_IN_CART_ALT" title=" BUTTON_IN_CART_ALT " /> </div>
<!--eof Add to Cart Box-->

The pathname for the button should have what the variable BUTTON_IMAGE_IN_CART resolves to.

[Kim]

Are all of your language files in place for your custom template?

[sobebabies]

Kim, I'm not sure I understand the question. You mean in includes/templates/MY-TEMPLATE ? I don't see any language directory there but nor do I see one in the default template directory.