Exploring Austria Without Speaking English

English is widely spoken in Austria, particularly in Vienna, which is a major tourist destination. However, it is always useful to know some basic phrases in the local language, and Austrians are more likely to speak English with you if you first try speaking German with them.

English is widely spoken in Vienna

While English is widely spoken, it is always beneficial to learn some basic phrases in the local language. Austrians appreciate it when visitors make an effort to communicate in German. Some useful phrases include "Gruss Gott" (a common greeting in Austria), "Bitte" (please), "Danke" (thank you), and "Enschuldegung" (excuse me). Learning numbers and basic food references can also be helpful when navigating menus, purchasing items, or using public transportation.

It is worth noting that Viennese German is a unique dialect that can be challenging even for native German speakers. However, most Austrians will switch to English if they notice you are a foreign speaker. Overall, while you may encounter some language barriers in certain situations, English is widely spoken in Vienna, especially in tourist areas, and you should be able to get by without fluent German knowledge.

Austrians appreciate it when you try to speak German

Austrians appreciate it when visitors try to speak German. While English is widely spoken in Vienna, the country's national language is German, and learning some key phrases will go a long way. It's worth noting that Austrians tend to be more reserved than Americans, for example, and may be perceived as unfriendly, but this has nothing to do with nationality.

It's considered rude to assume that Austrians should speak English, and it's useful to learn some basic German phrases to show respect for the local culture. Greeting people in shops and markets is considered good manners, and knowing some German will help with this. A simple "Guten Tag" or "Gruss Gott" ("God's greeting") is a good starting point. "Gruss Gott" is especially favoured by the older generation, while "Servus" is more commonly used with younger Austrians. When saying goodbye, "Auf Wiedersehen" or "Auf Wiederschauen" are both formal options, while "Tschüss" and "Pfiat di" are more casual.

Other useful phrases include "Bitte" (please), "Danke" (thank you), "Enschuldegung" (excuse me) and "Guten Abend" (good evening). Learning the numbers one to twelve is also a good idea, as is knowing how to tell the time in 24-hour clock time.

Ordering food and drinks is another area where German will be useful. Austrians have their own way of ordering coffee, for example, and a simple "Kaffee" will result in confusion. Ordering "ein Verlängerter" will get you a black coffee, while "ein kleiner Braunen" will get you a little milk in your espresso. Beer measurements are also different from those in the US, with "eine Halbe Bier" or "a Hoibe" meaning half a litre of beer.

While Austrians appreciate visitors trying to speak German, it's also important to be aware of context. In a social setting, such as a bar, Austrians may be happy to help you practice your German. However, in a busy shop or restaurant, they may switch to English to speed things up.

Austrians will often switch to English to make things easier

In Vienna, you will find English-speaking staff in hotels, shops, and restaurants, and English guides or audio guides in most major attractions. Even cab drivers have enough English to get by. English menus are also common in restaurants.

Outside of the tourist areas, English is less common, and older people are less likely to speak it. However, most local schools require several years of English, so nearly everyone under the age of 60 can speak basic English. Austrians are also more likely to switch to English with younger people.

While Austrians are often happy to switch to English, it is considered extremely obnoxious to assume that they will or should speak English. It is always a good idea to learn some basic phrases in German, such as "please", "thank you", "excuse me", and simple greetings like "good day".

English is taught in Austrian schools

English is taught as a compulsory subject in Austrian secondary schools. The number of teaching hours over the four years of secondary school is 124, with the number of hours per week varying between 29 and 33. The distribution of hours dedicated to each subject depends on the type of school and its focus. In general, classes are conducted in German. However, English is typically introduced as a foreign language from an early age.

Austria's higher education system also accommodates English-speaking students. While German is the primary language of instruction at universities, there are over 70 English-taught Bachelor's programmes and over 280 English-taught Master's programmes offered by various institutions. These include renowned universities such as the University of Vienna, Vienna University of Technology, and Graz University of Technology.

It is worth noting that English is widely spoken in Vienna, a major tourist destination. In popular tourist areas, such as the first district of Vienna, many people speak English. English-speaking visitors can often get by in interactions with staff in hotels, restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions. Additionally, English-translated menus and guides are commonly available.

However, outside of the major tourist hubs, proficiency in English decreases. Learning some basic German phrases and greetings is highly recommended when visiting or living in Austria. Respecting the local language and culture is essential to avoid coming across as arrogant or obnoxious.

Austrians are more particular about language than Germans

Austrians and Germans can easily understand each other as they both speak German. However, there are some differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar that make Austrian German distinct from Standard German. These differences can be compared to the differences between American English and British English. While most of the vocabulary is shared between Austrian German and Standard German, there are some notable differences. For example, Austrians might be confused if you ask for "Plätzchen" (Christmas cookies) or "Pfannkuchen" (pancakes), while a German might not understand if you use the Austrian terms "Marillenmarmelade" (apricot jam) or "Palatschinken" (pancakes).

In addition to vocabulary differences, Austrian German is generally softer and more melodic than Standard German. Certain vowels are pronounced differently, and there is a gentle, sing-songy tone to the way Austrians speak. The diminutive form is also different between the two varieties of German. Austrians add "-el" and "-erl" to the end of words, while Standard German uses "-chen" or "-lein".

There are also some grammatical differences between Austrian German and Standard German. For example, the perfect tense in Austrian German sometimes uses "sein" ("to be") instead of "haben" ("to have") in the past perfect, as in "ich bin gesessen" ("I am sat") instead of the Standard German "ich habe gesessen" ("I have sat").

The regional dialects within Austria and Germany can also vary significantly and may be difficult for speakers from the other country to understand. For example, the Viennese dialect is particularly challenging for German speakers, and Austrians from the rural west of the Austrian Alps sound very different from Viennese speakers.

While Austrians and Germans can generally understand each other, the differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar, as well as the presence of distinct regional dialects, suggest that Austrians may be more particular about language than Germans. Learning some basic German phrases and being respectful of the local language and culture are important when visiting German-speaking countries like Austria.

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