Leslie Massey
Germany and Austria are neighbouring countries in Central Europe with a shared history, language and culture. Both countries have close relations as cooperative members of the European Union. They also share a border that is 818 kilometres long. The two countries have a lot in common, from their mountainous landscapes to their cuisines and traditional costumes. However, there are also some notable differences between the two nations, including their histories, dialects, and approaches to business and communication.
Shared history
Germany and Austria share a long and deeply intertwined history. Both countries have close relations due to their shared history, with German being the official language of both. The ancestors of Austrians were the Germanic Baiuvarii (ancient German Bavarians).
In early history, the Baiuvarii established the Duchy of Bavaria, which was ruled by Francia of West Germanic Franks from 555 to 843 and included the March of Pannonia that would become Austria in c. 970. Later, Bavarian Austria came under East Francia (Kingdom of Germany) from 843 to 962. It then separated from the Duchy of Bavaria to become a sovereign state in 1156. From 1156 to 1806, Austria (not including its non-German lands) and other German states under the Kingdom of Germany were parts of the Holy Roman Empire, which was officially a German polity from 1512 and mostly led by Austria itself. The Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation encompassed both Austrians and Germans, and for several centuries, the Holy Roman Emperors came from the House of Habsburg. Austria was part of the German Confederation from 1815 to 1866 and led it.
From 1867 to 1918, Austria was part of a dual monarchy, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, led by the imperial Habsburg family. The idea of a united "Greater Germany" emerged during this time, including the German-speaking peoples of both Austria and Germany. The Hapsburg Empire faced increasing instability but endured until the end of the First World War, which resulted in the dissolution of both the German and Austro-Hungarian empires. In March 1938, German troops marched into Austria, and Adolf Hitler proclaimed the annexation of Austria by the Third Reich. The annexation marked the beginning of Germany's aggressive expansionist policies, which led to the outbreak of World War II in 1939.
In 1918, after World War I and the fall of the Austro-Hungarian and German Empires, Austria briefly renamed itself the Republic of German-Austria in an attempt to unite with Germany. However, this was forbidden by the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye (1919), created by the winners of World War I. Throughout the interwar period, Austria and Germany remained separate and distinct entities. In 1938, Nazi Germany, led by Austrian-born Hitler, annexed Austria into Germany in what became known as the Anschluss. After World War II, there has been no serious effort to unite Germany and Austria, and the Austrian State Treaty forbids such a union.
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Shared language
Germany and Austria share a common language, German, which is the official language of both countries. However, there are notable differences in the dialects and accents of the language in the two countries. German is a blend of various dialects and adaptations, with each dialect contributing a unique cultural element. Austrian German, or 'Österreichisches Deutsch', is the variety of the German language spoken in Austria and South Tyrol. It is the country's official language and is used in everyday communication, media, education, and government.
Austrian German has its roots in the mid-18th century when Empress Maria Theresa and her son Joseph II introduced compulsory schooling and reforms in their multilingual Habsburg Empire. The written standard at the time was influenced by the Bavarian and Alemannic dialects of Austria. However, Austrian German also has unique features borrowed from various Austro-Bavarian dialects and the legacy of the Habsburg monarchy.
While Austrian German and Standard German are remarkably similar, there are some differences in vocabulary, pronunciation, and syntax. For example, Austrians use words like "Paradeiser" for tomato, "Marille" for apricot, and "Erdapfel" for potato, while Germans use "Tomate," "Aprikose," and "Kartoffel," respectively. Austrian German is also influenced by regional dialects, which can vary significantly across different regions of Austria. These regional dialects impact vocabulary, pronunciation, and even grammar.
In terms of pronunciation, Austrian German is softer and more melodic than Standard German. The consonants are less sharp, and the vowels are often more rounded and full. The southern regions of Germany, including Bavaria, sound very similar to Austrian German.
Despite these differences, Austrians and Germans can generally understand each other well, as they both speak variations of Standard German. Most of the vocabulary is shared, and any differences in region-specific terms or expressions are usually minor and do not hinder communication.
In addition to Austrian German, Austrians also use Bavarian and Alemannic dialects in informal situations. These dialects are traditionally spoken but rarely written in Austria. On the other hand, Standard German, or "Hochdeutsch," is the standardized form of the language used in formal settings across German-speaking countries and taught to learners worldwide.
The differences between Austrian German and Standard German can be compared to the differences between American English and British English. While there may be some variations in vocabulary, pronunciation, and syntax, speakers of either variety can usually understand each other without much difficulty.
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Economic ties
Germany and Austria have a long history of economic cooperation, with Germany being Austria's most important economic partner. The two countries have an annual trade volume of over 100 billion euros, and numerous German companies have offices and production facilities in Austria. Austria is also a popular tourist destination for Germans, who make up around 60% of its foreign visitors, while Austria is the third-largest source market for tourism in Germany.
The two countries' media markets are also closely linked, with German publishing houses holding shares in Austrian media companies. Additionally, there is extensive cooperation in radio, television, and film, with German-Austrian co-productions in these areas. Both countries are members of the European Union and the Eurozone, further strengthening their economic ties.
Austria's economy is highly dependent on Germany, and any rapid changes in the German economy can significantly impact Austria. However, Austria's membership in the EU has helped reduce this economic dependence by providing access to the European Single Market and attracting foreign investors.
The economic relationship between Germany and Austria goes beyond trade and tourism. German cultural and academic exchanges with Austria are extensive, with many German conductors, orchestras, musicians, and actors working in Austria, and vice versa. Vacancies for academic positions are often advertised on both sides of the border.
The strong economic ties between Germany and Austria are further facilitated by their shared language and history. The Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation encompassed both countries, and they were both part of the German Confederation until 1866. Additionally, the ancestors of Austrians, the Germanic Baiuvarii (ancient German Bavarians), established the Duchy of Bavaria, which included parts of what is now Austria.
In summary, Germany and Austria have a long history of economic cooperation, with Germany being Austria's most important economic partner. Their economic ties are strengthened by shared language, culture, and history, as well as their membership in the EU and the Eurozone. While Austria's economy is vulnerable to changes in Germany, its EU membership has helped reduce this dependence and attract foreign investment.
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Cultural exchange
Germany and Austria share a long and deeply intertwined history, with German being the official language of both countries. The two nations also have close cultural, political, economic, and familial ties.
Germany and Austria have a rich history of cultural exchange, with many conductors, orchestras, musicians, singers, directors, producers, and actors working in both countries. There is also extensive cooperation in the film and television industries, with numerous award-winning German-Austrian co-productions. The two countries' media markets are closely intertwined, with German publishing houses holding shares in Austrian media companies and vice versa. This has resulted in numerous co-productions in radio, television, and film. Both countries also cooperate on the TV channels 3sat and ARTE.
The countries' close cultural ties are also reflected in their similar styles of cuisine and traditional dishes. For example, Bavarian cuisine can be difficult to distinguish from Austrian cooking. Traditional Austrian dishes include Wiener Schnitzel (fried, breaded veal cutlets), Sachertorte (chocolate cake), and Apfelstrudel (apple strudel). Meanwhile, German cuisine features dishes like Bratwurst (grilled sausage), Sauerkraut, pretzels, and Black Forest cake (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte). Despite the overlap with German cuisine, Austrian dishes often incorporate notable influences from Eastern European and Italian cooking.
In addition to culinary differences, there are also variations in language usage and dialects between Germany and Austria. For example, Austrians may greet someone by saying "Moagn" (Good morning) instead of "Guten Morgen," as in Germany. Austrians also have unique phrases such as Servus (Hello), Griaß di (Hello there), Grüss Gott (Hello, or "God's greeting"), and Pfiat di (goodbye, informal, similar to "Tschüss" in Germany).
The spoken language also differs between the two countries. Austrian German is more lilting and less crisp than German German, but it is quite similar to Bavarian German, given the shared border. Austrians also tend to be more elaborate in their communication, often conveying subtle insults within a larger statement to make it sound mild without losing its sharpness. In contrast, Germans tend to be more direct and concise in their language, even if it comes across as unflattering.
Austria and Germany also differ in their business cultures. Germans prefer clear hierarchical structures and strict decision-making processes, while decision-making in Austria is more fluid and flexible, often taking longer but requiring fewer revisions. Austrians also prefer a more relaxed approach to business meetings, often opting for a business lunch in a cafe, while Germans typically hold meetings in designated rooms, maintaining a clear distinction between business and social gatherings.
Overall, Germany and Austria have a long history of cultural exchange and cooperation, with many shared traditions, customs, and ways of life.
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Political ties
Germany and Austria have historically shared close political ties, owing to their shared history, language, and culture. Both countries were part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, and the Holy Roman Emperors came from the House of Habsburg.
Post-World War I
Following the end of World War I, the Republic of German-Austria was established as a rump state for predominantly German-speaking and ethnic German areas within the former Austro-Hungarian Empire. This state sought eventual unification with Germany. However, the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, created by the victors of the war, forbade this unification. Despite this, the two countries maintained close relations.
Interwar Period
During the interwar period, Austria briefly became an Austrofascist dictatorship under Engelbert Dollfuss. In 1938, Austria was annexed into Germany under the Nazi regime in what was known as the Anschluss, which was seen as a reunification.
Post-World War II
After World War II, Austria was occupied by the Allied Powers and separated from Germany. The Austrian State Treaty of 1955 allowed Austria to regain its independence and forbade reunification with Germany. Since then, Austria has developed a separate national identity from Germany, although the two countries continue to cooperate closely in various fields.
Contemporary Era
Austria and Germany are both members of the European Union and have the same currency and a free border. However, they differ in their military alliances, with Germany being a member of NATO, while Austria maintains its neutrality and is not a member.
Bilateral Relations
Germany is Austria's most important economic partner, with an annual trade volume of over 100 billion euros. German companies have branch offices and production facilities in Austria, and the country is a popular tourist destination for Germans. Likewise, Austria is one of Germany's most important trading partners and a significant source market for tourism.
Cultural and academic exchange between the two countries is extensive, with many conductors, musicians, actors, and other professionals working in both countries. German publishing houses hold shares in Austrian media companies, and there are numerous German-Austrian film and TV co-productions. The two countries also cooperate on the TV channels 3sat and ARTE.
In conclusion, Germany and Austria have a long history of political ties, dating back to their shared heritage within the Holy Roman Empire. While their paths diverged after World War I and World War II, they continue to maintain close economic, cultural, and diplomatic relations today.
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Frequently asked questions
Germany and Austria share a long and deeply intertwined history. Both countries were part of the Holy Roman Empire, which was ruled by the House of Habsburg from 1440 until its dissolution in 1806. Austria was also briefly annexed by Germany under the Nazi regime from 1938 to 1945.
Germany and Austria have close relations as members of the European Union. They share a common language, German, and have strong cultural, political, and economic ties. Germany is Austria's most important economic partner, and the two countries have extensive cultural and academic exchanges.
The cultures of Germany and Austria have many similarities, including traditional costumes such as Lederhosen and Dirndl, and similar styles of cuisine. German is the official language of both countries, although there are regional variations in dialect and accent.
Despite their similarities, there are also cultural differences between Germany and Austria. Austrians are generally considered more outgoing and cheerful than Germans, who tend to be more formal and distant. There are also differences in communication styles, with Germans favouring a direct approach, while Austrians prefer a more elaborate and nuanced way of speaking.
