Funktionalität vs. functionality

i have been here too long & can't see straight.

too often my german collegues translate "Funktionalität" to English as functionality or worse functionalities, but what they're really talking about, in a sense, are specific type of software features. we have a "functions & features" list. i know this is correct, but have i forgotten my mother tongue? are these false friends?

is there such a thing as functionalities?

Yes, but capabilities comes to mind first for me.

yes there such a thing but i wouldn't translate it like that. more like range of features of range of functions.

i always thought "functionality" referred to the ability to function rather that the range of functions. I may be wrong though.

Software can have a specific functionality (that is usually, thematic groups of specific functions - e.g. the spelling and grammar checking functionality in Word). The functionality refers to in a more generic and broad way to functional areas included in the software feature set. Functions, then would be specific things the software does (e.g. the sort function in Excel).

I would say that, yes, there is such a word as functionalities in the context of software. You could say something like "we have included functionalities that enable the transparent integration of legacy systems through our open message-based integration platform." Nobody but IT wonks would know what you're talking about, but you could say it.

why would "functionalities" be any better or more appropriate in that sentence to "functions"?

edit: if you google for the definition of "functionalities" it says "no such word". not sure if this is just cos they don't list plurals. It finds "functionality".

@Elf

I'd say functionality sounds fine but then again I've been working with SAP in Germany for years so i'm probably disqualified from commenting. I regularly say things like, "A new functionality has been added".

Definitions of Functionality on the Web:

• A set of attributes that bear on the existence of a set of functions and their specified properties. The functions are those that satisfy stated or implied needs. Suitability Accuracy Interoperability Compliance Security
  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_9126
  
  
• functional capability: Use is deprecated in contexts where just "function" means the right thing. (Marketing people seem to think the two are synonymous and that "functionality" has a more impressive sound to it.)
  www.netsetgo.com/glossary.php
  
  
• "How well (and reliably) the interactive controls and media perform on the target platform" (from Lisa Graham, The Principles of Interactive Design, 1999).
  www.csc.calpoly.edu/~ebrunner/VocabWebDesign.html
  
  
• The ability to live in an unassisted fashion.
  www.aboutzonediet.org/glossary.htm
  
  
• Any property other than nutritional, which affects utilization.
  www.agsci.ubc.ca/fnh/courses/glossary.htm
  
  
• The number of reactive groups in a chemical molecule.
  www.jmcatalysts.com/pct/marketshome.asp
  
  
• The Import and Export of Translator's Workbench default export format (TXT)
  www.terminologycafe.com/HowtoSDLX.htm
  
  
• A measure of the capability of, or range of facilities available in, an item of software or hardware. Modern computer packages and equipment tend to have much better functionality than older ones, and expensive ones greater functionality than cheaper ones.
  www.agocg.ac.uk/reports/graphics/34/appii97/glossary.htm
  
  
• What the computerised part of a system does to automate the business processes
  htsa.ie.hva.nl/~helpdesk/DSDMManual/p2dsdm/glo29.htm
  
  
• What a product does for the buyer and user; the utility it offers the user; what he or she can do with it.
  www.yellowpencil.co.nz/brand%20sharpening/brand%20glossary
  
  
• What we mean by functionality is how the visitor navigates through the site. At Ace Concepts - Web Environment we design each page as a 'standardized' page. Navigation buttons/text are situated in the same place on every page and may appear on every page allowing the user easy functionality throughout the web site.
  www.aceconcepts.co.uk/WebEnvironment/htm/wedesign.htm
  
  
• The capabilities or behaviors of a program, application, or system; the total set of its features, or "the things it can do."
  support.previser.com/documentation/UsingPreviser/Appendixes/techgloss_entries.htm
  
  
• [patent-trademark-copyright]. That aspect of design that makes a product work better for its intended purpose, as opposed to making the product look better or to identifying its commercial source.
  usinfo.org/usia/usinfo.state.gov/products/pubs/intelprp/glossary.htm
  
  
• capable of serving a purpose well; "software with greater functionality"
  wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

I would say no there isn't and there is no need for it as functionality is not singular as such IMO. As someone stated up thread I think functionality isn't what one function does but is the general capabilities offered by e.g. software


I'd skip the 'A' or say 'A function has been added.'.

A new feature has been added.

Features can consist of multiple functions though

that's right, which is why i cannot substitute Functionalität for features. i went ahead and said we will use functions, when talking about what technoligical capabilites the software offers. we often use "functions and features list", so i said stick with that nomenclature otherwise i will have to explain myself time and time again.

i just think the germans translate incorrectly when they mean something else. (& as ketchup would know, there's a lot of that going on here).