Lexi Webster
Austrian German has a distinct accent and vocabulary that sets it apart from High German. The differences can be traced back to the mid-18th century when Empress Maria Theresa and her son Joseph II introduced compulsory schooling and administrative reforms in their multilingual Habsburg Empire. While simple words in various Austrian dialects may be similar, their pronunciation varies significantly, and an untrained ear can easily distinguish speakers from different provinces. Learning Austrian German is essential for navigating Austria and understanding its people, as the accent and vocabulary differ notably from those of its northern neighbour, Germany.
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What You'll Learn
Learn the differences between Austrian German and High German
Austrian German and High German (also known as Standard German) are mutually intelligible, with speakers of one variety able to generally understand the other without much difficulty. However, there are some differences between the two varieties of German, in terms of pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar.
Pronunciation and Accent
Austrian German has a distinct accent, with a slower pace and more musical intonation compared to High German. Vowels in Austrian German tend to be pronounced more openly, and the letter "r" is often pronounced with a rolling "r" sound, influenced by Bavarian dialects. In contrast, High German has a more neutral and standardized pronunciation, which is prevalent in Germany.
Vocabulary
Austrian German incorporates numerous words and expressions that may be unfamiliar to speakers of High German. For example, "Semmel" in Austrian German refers to a bread roll, while in High German, it is "Brötchen." Distinctions in vocabulary are particularly notable in culinary terms, administrative and legal language, and certain prepositions. For example, in Germany, you would say "für 5 Euro" (for 5 euros), while in Austria, you would say "um 5 Euro."
Grammar
Austrian German also exhibits some grammatical distinctions compared to High German. In Austrian German, there is a preference for using the past tense with "haben" (to have) instead of "sein" (to be) for certain verbs that typically use "sein" in High German. Additionally, the use of the genitive case (possessive case) is less common in Austrian German, with speakers often opting for other grammatical constructions.
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Understand the variations in pronunciation
To understand the variations in pronunciation between Austrian German and other forms of German, it is important to note that Austrian German is influenced by the Bavarian and Alemannic dialects of Austria. The Bavarian accent, in particular, sounds very similar to the Austrian accent, given the proximity of the two regions. The Bavarian/Austrian accent may be challenging to understand for someone who has learned German in the North, as the vowels are long and broad, and the cadence sounds more Swedish.
Speakers from different provinces of Austria, such as Carinthia, Styria, Vienna, Upper Austria, and the Tyrol, can be easily distinguished from each other by their particular accents. Even when speaking Standard German, their accent is usually noticeable, even to an untrained listener. The dialects of the deeper valleys of the Tyrol, for example, are often unintelligible to other Tyroleans. The dialect of Carinthia has been influenced by contact with non-Germanic linguistic groups, with many speakers being bilingual in Slovene, especially in the southeastern portions of the state.
In terms of vocabulary, there are distinctions in Austrian German that set it apart from other varieties of German. For instance, in culinary terms, communication with Germans can be challenging due to differences in food-related vocabulary. When Austria joined the European Union, 23 food-related terms were listed in its accession agreement as having the same legal status as the equivalent terms used in Germany, such as "potato", "tomato", and "Brussels sprouts". Additionally, in Austrian German, verbs that express a state or movement tend to use "sein" as the auxiliary verb in the perfect, as in "ich bin gesessen" (I have sat) or "ich bin gelegen" (I have lain). In Germany, the equivalent phrases are "ich habe gesessen" and "ich habe gelegen", respectively.
Another notable difference is the use of the "eszett" or "sharp s" (ß) in Austrian German, which is also used in German but not in Swiss German. This letter represents a distinct sound that is not found in English. Furthermore, Austrian German has a special form of the language for official government documents known as "Österreichische Kanzleisprache" or "Austrian chancellery language". This form of the language is quite complex and difficult to understand, even for native speakers, as it contains many specialized terms for diplomatic, internal, official, and military matters.
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Study the distinct accents of different Austrian provinces
To master an Austrian accent, it's important to study the distinct accents of the different Austrian provinces. Austrian German, or Österreichisches Deutsch, is the variety of Standard German spoken in Austria and South Tyrol. While it is the standard across the country, each province has its own accent and dialectal variations.
Let's delve into the accents of some Austrian provinces. For instance, the accent of the province of Carinthia, or Kärnten, is influenced by its history of bilingualism with Slovene. In fact, Slovene is still spoken by a small percentage of the population today. The landscape of Carinthia, with its inherent beauty, might be a great backdrop to listen to and study the local accent.
Moving to Styria, or Steiermark, you will find the city of Graz, known for its friendliness and easy-going attitude. The accent here is likely to be more relaxed and laid-back, reflecting the attitude of the locals. Styria is often referred to as the "green heart of Austria", so you might want to explore the lush landscapes while you're there.
If you're interested in a more urban setting, Vienna, or Wien, the capital city, is a great place to study the local accent. With a population of over 2 million, Vienna is a vibrant city with a rich history and stunning architecture. The accent here might be faster-paced and more dynamic, reflecting the bustling city life.
Lastly, let's explore Upper Austria, or Oberösterreich. The city of Linz in this province could offer a unique accent experience. With its mix of historical architecture and modern developments, Linz might provide a blend of traditional and contemporary Austrian accents.
By visiting these provinces and immersing yourself in conversations with the locals, you can start to pick up on the distinct accents and dialectal variations of each region. Remember that even within a single country, accents can vary greatly, and studying these differences will help you perfect your Austrian accent.
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Explore the influence of non-Germanic groups on Austrian dialects
Austrian German, or Österreichisches Deutsch, is the variety of Standard German written and spoken in Austria and South Tyrol. It is the country's official language and lingua franca, with approximately 8.3 million speakers in Austria. The standard variety, Austrian Standard German (ASG), is used in the media and for other formal situations. In less formal settings, Austrians use Bavarian and Alemannic dialects, which are traditionally spoken but rarely written.
Austrian German has its roots in the mid-18th century, when Empress Maria Theresa and her son Joseph II introduced compulsory education in 1774 and implemented several administrative reforms in their multilingual Habsburg Empire. The written standard at the time was Oberdeutsche Schreibsprache (Upper German written language). Since 1951, the standardised form of Austrian German used in official government and educational contexts has been defined by the Österreichisches Wörterbuch ("Austrian Dictionary"), published by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture.
Austrian German differs from Standard German in several ways, including pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar. For example, the word "ja" (yes) can be used as an interjection in Austrian German but not in Standard German. Additionally, Austrian German has a smaller vocabulary than Standard German and often uses different words to convey the same meaning.
The dialects of Austrian German can be broadly divided into three groups: Northern, Central, and Southern. The Northern Dialects, spoken in the northernmost regions of Austria, including Vienna, are considered more similar to Standard German than the other Austrian dialects. The Central Dialects, spoken in central regions such as Salzburg and Linz, deviate somewhat from Standard German but are not as divergent as the Southern Dialects. The Southern Dialects, used in southern areas like Graz and Innsbruck, differ significantly from Standard German and can be challenging for speakers of other German dialects to comprehend.
The influence of non-Germanic groups on Austrian dialects is particularly evident in regions like Carinthia, where many speakers were historically bilingual in Slovene, and in the Tyrolean valleys, where dialects differ significantly from other Austrian varieties. The Alemannic dialects of Vorarlberg, which are Swiss German dialects, are also quite distinct and difficult for most German speakers to understand.
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Practice common greetings and phrases, like Grüße Gott
When it comes to practising common Austrian greetings and phrases, it's important to note that Austrian German has distinct dialects and accents that vary across different regions of Austria. While simple words may be similar, the pronunciation and nuances can differ significantly.
Let's focus on the greeting "Grüße Gott" as a starting point. This phrase is commonly used as a friendly greeting, similar to "hello" in English. The pronunciation of "Grüße Gott" is roughly "grew-ss gott," with a rolled "r" and a short, sharp "ü" sound. The "ß" in "Grüße" is known as "eszett" or "sharp s" and is a unique letter in German orthography.
To master this greeting, it's helpful to break it down into its individual components: "Grüße" and "Gott." "Grüße" is the verb "to greet," and "Gott" means "God." So, literally translated, "Grüße Gott" means "Greet God." However, in the context of a greeting, it carries a more secular and friendly intention.
When using "Grüße Gott," it's essential to be mindful of the time of day. This greeting is typically used during the daytime. For evenings, Austrians often switch to "Guten Abend," which means "Good evening." Additionally, it's worth noting that while "Grüße Gott" is widely understood, the specific dialect and usage can vary based on the region you're in. For example, in the deep valleys of Tyrol, their dialect may be challenging for other Austrians to understand.
As you continue to explore Austrian greetings and phrases, you'll encounter more variations and nuances. For instance, "Servus" is a casual greeting used among friends, similar to "hi" or "hey." Meanwhile, "Hallo" is a standard greeting, just like "hello" in English. Remember to pay attention to pronunciation, as the Austrian German accent and intonation may differ from other forms of German you may have encountered.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to learn an Austrian accent is to immerse yourself in the language. Listen to Austrian radio or try a language learning program like FluentU, which uses authentic videos, to get used to the unique sounds of the country.
The Austrian accent is known for its long and broad vowels, and its cadence that sounds more Swedish than German. The Bavarian accent is very similar, which makes sense given the regions' proximity.
Austrian German is the only pluricentric language officially recognized by the EU. It has several standard, official variations. The language varies from region to region within Austria, and speakers from different provinces can usually be distinguished by their particular accents.
The Austrian accent can be hard to understand for someone who has learned German in the North. However, with some practice and exposure, it is possible to get used to the unique sounds and cadence of the Austrian accent.
