
Austrians speak German, but there is also a distinct variety of German called Austrian German, which differs from Standard German in the same way that American English differs from British English. Austrian German is influenced by the Austro-Bavarian dialect, which is the main dialect outside Vorarlberg. It is also influenced by Alemannic, the main dialect in Vorarlberg.
Characteristics | Values |
---|---|
Language | Austrian German |
Official language | German |
Influenced by | Austro-Bavarian dialect |
Other languages | Alemannic, Swiss German |
What You'll Learn
Austrian German is the official language of Austria
Roughly 97% to 98% of people in Austria speak German, while a little over 93% call it their mother tongue. German is the first language of the nation and is used in the media, in schools, and for formal announcements.
Alemannic, or Swiss German, is the main dialect in Vorarlberg, and is spoken by about 300,000 people. Vorarlberg uses a High Alemannic dialect, the same dialect group as that spoken in Northern Switzerland (outside Basel) and parts of southern Alsace, France.
Austro-Bavarian is another collection of dialects native to the region, with distinct branches spoken in the northern and southern parts of the country. More than 8 million people in Austria speak Bavarian, making it the de facto main language of Austria, even though it doesn't have an official written standard.
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German is the first language of most Austrians
Austrian German is to Standard German what American English is to British English. It is the language used in media, in schools, and formal announcements. The variety of German used, Austrian German, is partially influenced by Austro-Bavarian. Alemannic, or Swiss German, is spoken by about 300,000 people, mostly in Vorarlberg. Vorarlberg uses a High Alemannic, the same dialect group as that spoken in Northern Switzerland (outside Basel) and parts of southern Alsace, France.
Alemannic and Austro-Bavarian are the two other major unofficial national languages. Alemannic is a group of Upper German dialects, mostly spoken in the western state of Vorarlberg. It has more German Swiss influences. Austro-Bavarian is also a collection of dialects native to the region, with distinct branches spoken in the northern and southern parts of the country. More than 8 million people in Austria speak Bavarian, making it the de facto main language of Austria, even though it doesn't have an official written standard.
Austria does not have its "own" official language because a large chunk of its history was tied up with Germany's (as in, it was part of Germany for some time).
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Alemannic is the main dialect in Vorarlberg
Austrians speak German, but with a twist. Austrian German is to Standard German what American English is to British English. The official language of the country is Austrian German, which differs from German as the Germans speak it and is influenced by the Austro-Bavarian dialect.
Alemannic is a group of Upper German dialects, mostly spoken in the western state of Vorarlberg, and has more German Swiss influences. It is spoken by about 300,000 people. Vorarlberg literally means 'before the Arl mountain'.
The Vorarlberg dialect is further divided into a number of regional sub-dialects (e.g. that of the Montafon, the Bregenzerwald and Lustenau are some of the most distinct) which tend to differ considerably from each other.
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Austro-Bavarian is the main dialect outside Vorarlberg
There is no language called Austrian, but the official language of Austria is Austrian German, which differs from German as it is spoken in Germany. Austrian German is influenced by the Austro-Bavarian dialect, which is the main dialect outside Vorarlberg. Vorarlberg is a state in western Austria, where the main dialect is Alemannic, or Swiss German.
Alemannic is a group of Upper German dialects, with more German Swiss influences. It is spoken by about 300,000 people, mostly in Vorarlberg. Vorarlberg uses a High Alemannic dialect, which is the same dialect group spoken in Northern Switzerland (outside Basel) and parts of southern Alsace, France.
Austro-Bavarian is a collection of dialects native to Austria, with distinct branches spoken in the northern and southern parts of the country. More than 8 million people in Austria speak Austro-Bavarian, making it the de facto main language of Austria, even though it doesn't have an official written standard.
German is the official language in Austria and is the first language of nearly all Austrians. Roughly 97% to 98% of people in Austria speak German, while a little over 93% call it their mother tongue.
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Austrian German is influenced by Austro-Bavarian
Austrian German is the official language of Austria, and it differs from the German spoken in Germany. Austrian German is influenced by the Austro-Bavarian dialect, which is the main dialect outside Vorarlberg. Austro-Bavarian is a collection of dialects native to the region, with distinct branches spoken in the northern and southern parts of the country. More than 8 million people in Austria speak Austro-Bavarian, making it the de facto main language of Austria.
Austrian German is also influenced by Alemannic, a group of Upper German dialects that are mostly spoken in the western state of Vorarlberg. Alemannic has more German Swiss influences and is spoken by about 300,000 people. Vorarlberg uses a High Alemannic dialect, which is the same dialect group spoken in Northern Switzerland (outside Basel) and parts of southern Alsace, France.
Austrian German is to Standard German what American English is to British English. While German is the official language in Austria, nearly all Austrians learn and speak it. Roughly 97% to 98% of people in Austria speak German, while a little over 93% call it their mother tongue.
The reason why Austria doesn't have its "own" official language is because a large chunk of its history was tied up with Germany's. For some time, Austria was part of Germany.
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Frequently asked questions
Austrian German, which differs from German as the Germans speak it and is influenced by the Austro-Bavarian dialect.
No, there is no language called Austrian.
Yes, German is the official language in Austria. It is the nation's first language and nearly all Austrians learn it and speak it.
Alemannic and Austro-Bavarian.
Roughly 97% to 98% of people in Austria speak German while a little over 93% call it their mother tongue.