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Learning Austrian German is a challenge, even for those who are already proficient in German. The accent can be particularly hard to understand for those who have learned German in the North, as the vowels are long and broad, and the cadence sounds more Swedish. The language is spoken quickly, and the accent will be the hardest component to understand. However, Austrians have an infectious, sunny nature, so there's nothing to be afraid of when putting your German skills to the Austrian test.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Accent | Hard to understand for someone who has learned German in the North |
| Speed | Fast |
Sources
- https://www.fluentu.com/blog/german/learn-austrian-german/
- https://www.babbel.com/en/magazine/how-to-learn-austrian-german-in-three-simple-steps
What You'll Learn
The Austrian accent
Austrian German is a challenge for those who have learned German in the North, as the accent is quite different. The vowels are long and broad, and the cadence sounds more Swedish than German. The accent will be the hardest component of Austrian German for you to understand.
To prepare for a trip to Austria, it is recommended that you spend some time immersing yourself in the language. One way to do this is by listening to Austrian radio. You can also try to blend in with the locals by throwing caution to the wind and injecting some country charm and gusto into your German. Austrians speak quickly, so you might have trouble keeping up, but they have an infectious, sunny nature that will make you feel at ease.
If you are proficient in German, you might find that you can already understand a lot of Austrian German. You may be able to chat with the Hausmeister about a broken shower in your flat or haggle with a vendor at the flea market over the price of a supposedly ‘vintage’ wardrobe. However, to truly master Austrian German and blend in with the locals, you will need to pay attention to the unique accent and the small differences in vocabulary.
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Vocabulary
Austrian German has some unique vocabulary that sets it apart from standard German. For example, the word 'Haberer' means boyfriend, friend, or just man. This comes from the Yiddish 'khaver', which means the same thing. When used in a romantic context, it can be shortened to 'Habschi'.
Austrian German also has its own food-related vocabulary. For example, a 'Gasthaus' serves mostly local and traditional foods, such as 'Fritattensuppe' and 'Wienerschnitzel', while a 'Restaurant' is a bit more elegant and offers a broader variety of food.
Some other unique Austrian German phrases and slang include 'Tschüss' and 'Pfiat di', which are commonly used as greetings among friends and family.
The accent and speed of Austrian German can also be challenging for learners. The Bavarian/Austrian accent has long and broad vowels and a cadence that sounds more Swedish than German. Austrians also tend to speak very quickly, which can make it difficult to keep up.
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Cadence
Learning Austrian German is like making friends with a smiley, sporty and slightly mad person. They’ll speak super fast, and you might have trouble keeping up, but it doesn’t really matter because they have an infectious, sunny nature that really rubs off on you. So, if you’re keen to dust off your mountain boots and head to the Tyrolean hills to put your German skills to the Austrian test, then there’s nothing to be afraid of. To pass off as a genuine Austrian, you’ve only to throw all caution to the wind, and inject some country charm and gusto into your German.
The cadence of Austrian German is said to sound more Swedish than anything. The accent will be the hardest component of Austrian German for you to understand. The vowels are long and broad. You can always ask someone if you’re confused about a vocabulary word, but if you can’t understand what the person said at all, you’ll be in deeper trouble. That’s why we recommend, before you go to Austria, that you spend some time immersing yourself in the language. One way to do that is by listening to Austrian radio.
Two Brits, who have lived for years in the safe linguistic cocoon of Northern Germany, took on the challenge of learning Austrian German in just a few hours. They wanted to master authentic Austrian so well that they’d be able to blend into a Schuhplattler dance without raising any eyebrows or be able to chat with the locals over a Maß. However, motivation and pretzel-fuelled energy can only get you so far.
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Speed
Learning Austrian German is a challenge, especially if you've learned German in the North. The accent is the hardest component to understand, as the vowels are long and broad, and the cadence sounds more Swedish than German. It's also spoken quickly, which can make it hard to keep up with.
To get to grips with Austrian German, it's recommended that you spend some time immersing yourself in the language before you go to Austria. You can do this by listening to Austrian radio. This will help you get used to the speed at which it's spoken, and the accent.
If you're motivated to learn, you'll be able to pick up the language quickly. Austrians are described as having an infectious, sunny nature, which will help you feel more comfortable speaking the language.
In summary, while Austrian German is spoken quickly and has a unique accent, with some preparation and motivation, you can learn it at speed.
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Authenticity
Learning Austrian German is a challenge, but one that can be overcome with motivation and a bit of help. The accent is the hardest component to understand, with long and broad vowels and a cadence that sounds more Swedish than German. It's recommended that learners immerse themselves in the language before travelling to Austria, by listening to Austrian radio, for example.
The language is spoken quickly, and learners might have trouble keeping up. However, Austrians have an infectious, sunny nature that makes it easier to learn. To pass as a genuine Austrian, learners should throw caution to the wind and inject some country charm and gusto into their German.
Two Brits, Ed and his colleague, took on the challenge of learning Austrian German in just a few hours. They were motivated by the dream of mastering authentic Austrian so well that they could blend into a Schuhplattler dance or chat with locals in a beer hall. With the help of their Austrian colleague, Isabella, they were able to take on the challenge.
Learning Austrian German can be difficult, especially for those who have learned German in the North, but with dedication and a positive attitude, it is possible to become proficient and enjoy the unique culture of Austria.
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Frequently asked questions
It's not too difficult, but the accent can be hard to understand for someone who’s learned German in the North. The vowels are long and broad, and the cadence sounds more Swedish than anything.
The accent. The vowels are long and broad, and the cadence sounds more Swedish than anything.
Before you go, spend some time immersing yourself in the language. You can do this by listening to Austrian radio.
Throw all caution to the wind, and inject some country charm and gusto into your German!
It depends on your motivation and energy levels. It can take a couple of hours, or a couple of years.
