Obama's Misunderstanding Of The Austrian Language

During a news conference in Strasbourg, France, in 2009, President Barack Obama made a verbal gaffe when he referred to Austrian as a language. In response to a question about his interactions with European leaders, Obama noted that political interactions in Europe are similar to those in the United States Senate, involving a lot of wheeling and dealing. He then stated that he didn't know the term for this in Austrian, implying that Austrian was a separate language. This caused some amusement and criticism, as German is the official language of Austria, and Austrian is not considered a separate language. The incident sparked discussions about the accuracy of Obama's statement and the potential double standards in media coverage compared to similar mistakes made by other politicians.

Obama's Austrian language gaffe

On April 4, 2009, during a news conference in Strasbourg, France, President Barack Obama made a verbal gaffe that sparked a range of reactions from amusement to criticism. While commenting on the similarities between European political interactions and the United States Senate, Obama said:

> "There's a lot of — I don't know what the term is in Austrian — wheeling and dealing — and, you know, people are pursuing their interests, and everybody has their own particular issues and their own particular politics."

This statement stood out because "Austrian" is not a language. The official language of Austria is German, which is also spoken in Germany, Belgium, Liechtenstein, and parts of Switzerland, Luxembourg, and others. This slip-up by Obama led to various responses, ranging from lighthearted ribbing to more serious accusations of ignorance.

Some commentators poked fun at Obama, with Kate McMillan awarding "Quote of the Week" to Mark Steyn for his quip, "We now know that Barack Obama, who urged us all to learn a second language, does not speak Austrian." Ed Morrissey, who created an "Obamateurism of the Day" segment, noted that while such gaffes are mildly amusing, they are often seized upon by opponents as signs of something more significant.

The gaffe also sparked comparisons to similar verbal mistakes made by former President George W. Bush, such as his use of "Grecian" instead of "Greek." However, others argued that Obama's mistake was more noteworthy because he was touted as an eloquent speaker and had chastised Americans for not being multilingual.

Some critics went as far as to question the competence of Obama's staff, wondering if there wasn't someone on the White House team, like a director of protocol, whose job it was to ensure the President was briefed on such matters. The double standard in the media's response to Obama's gaffe, in contrast to their treatment of Sarah Palin's rumoured geographical blunder, was also highlighted.

Linguists weighed in on the debate, with Stephen R. Anderson, a professor of linguistics at Yale University, stating that the German spoken in Austria is different from standard German, so referring to it as "Austrian" is not entirely inappropriate. However, Jay Jasanoff, a professor of linguistics at Harvard University, disagreed, asserting that the native language of Austria is German.

Despite the various reactions and interpretations, Obama's "Austrian language" gaffe remains a notable moment in his presidency, highlighting the scrutiny and criticism that public officials often face for their verbal slip-ups.

The Austrian language does not exist

During a news conference in Strasbourg, France, on April 4, 2009, then-US President Barack Obama made a verbal gaffe when he referenced the "Austrian language." In his comments, Obama stated that political interactions in Europe are similar to those in the United States Senate, with a lot of "wheeling and dealing." He then added, "I don't know what the term is in Austrian." This statement drew attention because Austrian is not recognized as an official language.

The people of Austria primarily speak German, which is the country's official language. However, other languages such as Turkish, Serbian, Croatian, and Hungarian are also spoken in the country. It is important to distinguish between the concept of an Austrian dialect and a separate Austrian language. While Austrians speak a variation of German called Austrian German or Österreichisches Deutsch, it is not accurate to refer to it as a distinct language. The differences between Austrian German and Standard German are comparable to the variations between American and British English.

The distinction between a language and a dialect is often a matter of social and political context rather than purely linguistic criteria. Linguists may disagree on whether Austrian German should be considered a separate language or a dialect of German. However, the fact remains that referring to "Austrian" as a language separate from German is incorrect.

Obama's comment about the "Austrian language" sparked varied reactions. Some critics viewed it as a significant blunder, especially considering Obama's emphasis on the importance of multilingualism. In contrast, others dismissed it as a minor slip-up or a verbal gaffe, which even smart people can make from time to time.

While the existence of an Austrian language is a misconception, it is worth noting that Austria is rich in linguistic diversity, with multiple languages and dialects spoken within its borders.

Obama's use of teleprompters

During his time as president, Barack Obama was often criticised for his use of teleprompters. Obama frequently used teleprompters during his public speeches, including when speaking to a group of elementary school students in 2010. This reliance on teleprompters has been mocked by Republican candidates, who have used it as a campaign issue, suggesting that Obama is inarticulate and inauthentic.

The criticism of Obama's teleprompter use also extended to the notion that he was unable to speak well extemporaneously. This criticism was particularly notable given that Obama had emphasised the importance of Americans being multilingual and familiar with the world. The gaffe involving the non-existent "Austrian" language added fuel to this line of criticism.

Despite the backlash, some commentators defended Obama's teleprompter use, arguing that public officials who make frequent speeches are bound to make verbal gaffes. Additionally, it was noted that other presidents, such as Ronald Reagan, had also utilised teleprompters during their speeches.

The Austrian dialect of German

Austrian German, also known as Österreichisches Deutsch, Austrian Standard German, Standard Austrian German, Austrian High German, or simply Austrian, is the variety of Standard German written and spoken in Austria and South Tyrol. It is the official language of Austria, with around 10 million native speakers worldwide, making it the tenth most spoken language globally.

Austrian German has unique characteristics, vocabulary, and pronunciation that set it apart from Standard German. One of its most noticeable features is its distinct accent, characterised by a slower pace and musical intonation. The vowels are pronounced more openly, and the letter "r" is often rolled, influenced by Bavarian dialects. In contrast, Standard German has a more neutral and standardised pronunciation.

Austrian German also incorporates words and expressions that may be unfamiliar to Standard German speakers. For example, a "Semmel" in Austrian German is a bread roll, while in Standard German, it is called a "Brötchen". The word for "tram" or "streetcar" is another example of differing vocabulary between the two variations; "Straßenbahn" in Standard German and "Bim" in Austrian German.

There are also grammatical variations between Austrian German and Standard German. Austrian German demonstrates a preference for using the past tense with "haben" (to have) instead of "sein" (to be) for certain verbs. Additionally, the genitive case (possessive case) is less common in Austrian German, with speakers opting for alternative grammatical constructions.

Regional variations exist within Austria itself, with the western regions influenced by Bavarian dialects differing more from Standard German than the eastern regions. Vienna, the capital, may use a form of German closer to Standard German in formal contexts.

Austrian German reflects Austria's historical, political, and cultural influences, such as the Habsburg Empire. Austrians tend to use more formal language, emphasising politeness and respect. In comparison, Standard German is considered more straightforward and less formal.

While Austrian German and Standard German share a common linguistic heritage, their differences in pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and cultural context contribute to the rich diversity of the German language. These variations provide insights into Austria's unique cultural identity and the dynamic nature of language, influenced by regional variations and cultural influences.

The politics of the gaffe

In April 2009, during a news conference in Strasbourg, France, then-US President Barack Obama made a verbal gaffe, referring to "Austrian" as a language. The comment was in response to a question from an Austrian journalist, who asked about Obama's interactions with European leaders and his views on Europe and its politics. In his response, Obama noted the similarities between political interactions in Europe and the United States Senate, stating that there was a lot of "wheeling and dealing" going on. He then said, "I don't know what the term is in Austrian", implying that "wheeling and dealing" might be an Austrian phrase.

This slip-up sparked a range of reactions, from light-hearted ribbing to more serious criticisms. Some commentators compared it to other verbal gaffes by politicians, such as George W. Bush's use of "Grecian" instead of "Greek". Others pointed out the irony of Obama's gaffe, given his emphasis on the importance of Americans being multilingual and his reputation for eloquence and oratorical skill.

The incident also led to discussions about the nature of the Austrian language. While German is the official language of Austria, there is a distinct variation called Austrian German or Österreichisches Deutsch, which has unique words, phrases, and grammar. Linguists are divided on whether this variation constitutes a separate language or a dialect of German.

The reaction to Obama's gaffe also highlighted a perceived double standard in the media and political sphere. Critics argued that if a conservative politician, such as Sarah Palin or George W. Bush, had made a similar mistake, the backlash and ridicule would have been more intense and prolonged. They accused the media of bias and hypocrisy, suggesting that Obama was given a free pass due to ideological favouritism.

This incident illustrates how political gaffes can become highly politicised, with opponents seizing on them as evidence of incompetence or hypocrisy. The reaction to Obama's "Austrian" comment also demonstrates the complex dynamics of language and identity, as well as the potential for misunderstandings and misrepresentations, even by well-educated and well-informed individuals.

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