Austria's Language: Austrian Or German?

Do Austrians speak Austrian? In short, no. There is no language called Austrian, and the official language of Austria is German. However, Austrian German is influenced by the Austro-Bavarian dialect and differs from German as spoken in Germany. In addition to German, Austria is home to several other languages and dialects, including Alemannic and various minority languages.

Austrian German is the official language

Austrian German serves as the lingua franca and de facto first language of Austria. It is used in education, media, and administrative communications. Almost all Austrians speak Austrian German, with only some rural seniors speaking other languages. The language is also used in official publications, announcements, and the media.

Austrian German has differences in vocabulary and grammar from the German spoken in Germany and Switzerland. It is mutually intelligible with Standard German, although German speakers may find certain regional dialects, such as the Viennese dialect, more difficult to understand.

The use of Austrian German as the official language is a result of Austria's historical ties with Germany. Austria was once part of the Frankish Empire and the Kingdom of Bavaria, and later became part of the German Confederation and the German Republic after World War I.

Austro-Bavarian is the main dialect

Austro-Bavarian is a major group of Upper German varieties spoken in the south-east of the German language area. It is also known as Bavarian and is considered a dialect of German. However, some sources classify it as a separate language. Austro-Bavarian is made up of several dialects native to the region, with distinct branches spoken in the northern and southern parts of the country.

Austro-Bavarian is the unofficial native language of Austria and is spoken by approximately 8.3 million people in the country. It is the main dialect outside of Vorarlberg, where Alemannic is the main dialect. The north-eastern parts of Austria, including the capital Vienna, speak Central Austro-Bavarian dialects, while the southern parts speak Southern Austro-Bavarian dialects.

Austro-Bavarian and Standard German have influenced each other over the centuries but are not the same language. Austro-Bavarian differs significantly from Standard German, making it difficult for German speakers from other regions to understand native Austro-Bavarian speakers. While educated Bavarians and Austrians can usually read, write, and understand Standard German, they may have little opportunity to speak it, especially in rural areas.

Austro-Bavarian has no official orthography, but literary efforts, especially in poems, have been made to depict the sound of the pronunciation in the spelling. Certain phrases and words are unique to specific regions of Austria and Bavaria and are rarely used in Standard German. For example, "Griaß God" ("greet God" or "may God greet you") and "Servus/Servas" ("at your service") are used as greetings in Austro-Bavarian.

The variety of German used in Austria, known as Austrian German, is influenced by Austro-Bavarian. Austrian German is the official language of Austria and is used in education, media, and administrative communications. It is mutually intelligible with Standard German, with some differences in accent and vocabulary.

Alemannic is the dialect in Vorarlberg

The official language of Austria is German, which is used in education, media, and administrative communications. However, there is no such thing as an "Austrian" language. Instead, there are several dialects spoken throughout the country, including Austro-Bavarian and Alemannic.

Alemannic, or Alemannish, is a group of High German dialects spoken by approximately 10 million people across several countries, including Switzerland, Germany, Austria, France, Italy, the United States, and Venezuela. In Austria, Alemannic is the main dialect spoken in the western state of Vorarlberg, as well as in the Reutte District of Tyrol. Vorarlberg is the only Austrian province that does not speak Austro-Bavarian.

Alemannic in Vorarlberg is specifically a High Alemannic dialect, which is also spoken in parts of Northern Switzerland (outside of Basel) and Southern Alsace, France. This dialect group is very difficult for German speakers to understand.

The Alemannic dialect has a long history, with its name deriving from the ancient Germanic tribal confederation known as the Alemanni, or "all men." The earliest known texts in Alemannic date back to the sixth century, identified in the writing of Elder Futhark inscriptions.

While Alemannic is the main dialect in Vorarlberg, the majority of Austria speaks Austro-Bavarian, which has approximately 8.3 million speakers in the country. Austro-Bavarian is a collection of dialects native to the region, with distinct branches in the northern and southern parts of the country.

Austria has many minority languages

Austria has a diverse linguistic landscape, with a multitude of minority languages spoken across the country. While German is the official language and lingua franca, there are numerous other tongues that hold significant value in different regions. These minority languages have shaped the cultural and historical fabric of Austria, contributing to its unique character.

One of the most prominent minority languages in Austria is Serbo-Croatian, which is spoken by more than 4% of the population. This language holds official status in the state of Burgenland, where it is known as Burgenland Croatian. The origins of Burgenland Croatian lie in the refugee waves during the Turkish wars of the 16th century, when people fleeing Ottoman occupation settled in the southeastern borderlands of Austria. Over time, these settlers were granted land and religious rights, establishing a strong community that continues to thrive today.

Another significant minority language is Turkish, which is the second-largest minority language in Austria. With approximately 2.3% of the population speaking Turkish, this language has flourished due to the country's immigration policies. Since the 1960s, the Austrian government has encouraged Turkish "guest workers" to contribute to the export and construction industries, leading to a substantial Turkish community, particularly in Vienna.

Additionally, Hungarian holds a special place in Austria's history, despite having a smaller number of speakers today. Historically, Hungarian was widely spoken due to the country's ties with the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Today, it is still spoken by around 1,000 people in Burgenland and holds official status in certain districts.

Slovene is another minority language recognised in Austria, particularly in the state of Carinthia and parts of Styria. The Slovene-speaking community has traditionally inhabited these regions and enjoys official recognition, with Slovene considered an official language in the mixed-language districts of Carinthia.

Furthermore, Czech and Slovak are minority languages found in Vienna and some parts of Austria. These languages, along with Hungarian, Slovenian, Burgenland-Croatian, and Romany, are recognised as official minority languages by the European Commission.

Austria's linguistic landscape is further enriched by other languages such as Romanian, Bosnian, and various dialects, showcasing the country's cultural diversity and historical connections. The protection and promotion of these minority languages are essential aspects of Austria's commitment to respecting and celebrating its ethnic diversity.

English is widely spoken

While there is no language called Austrian, English is widely spoken in Austria. In fact, 73% of the population speaks English, with Austrians in every age group outperforming Europe-wide averages for their levels of spoken English. This is because English is taught in schools, with children receiving regular tuition from the age of seven.

English is the second most spoken language in the country, with 6.4 million speakers. It is followed by French, which is spoken by around 7% of Austrians. However, only a small percentage of Austrians call English their mother tongue, with less than 1% of the population speaking it natively.

Austria's linguistic history is tied to its political history. It was part of the Holy Roman Empire until 1806, then became part of the German Confederation and later the German Republic after the First World War. As a result of this shared history, Austrian German is the official language of Austria, influenced by Standard German and Austro-Bavarian.

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