Mastering Bavarian: A Guide To Learning The Dialect

Bavarian is a West Germanic language spoken in several countries, including Germany, Austria, Italy, and the Czech Republic. It is mainly used as a spoken language and is not often written down. There are three main varieties of Bavarian, Northern, Central, and Southern, and within these groups, there are many different dialects. This makes learning Bavarian challenging, and the best way to do it is by immersing yourself in the language and culture. There are some resources available for learning Bavarian, including online courses, dictionaries, and phrasebooks.

Bavarian phrases and vocabulary

Bavarian is a West Germanic language spoken in Bavaria, Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, parts of Switzerland, and Hungary. It is mainly a spoken language, and there is no standard way of writing it. Here are some common phrases and vocabulary to help you get started:

Greetings and Parting Phrases

• "Še das d' kemma bisd" – Hello (General greeting)
• "Griaß di! [greeas dee]" – Hi! (to one person)
• "Griaß eich! [greeas eyesh]" – Hi! (to more than one person)
• "Seavus Grias god Grias di Moizaid" – Mealtime greeting
• "Bfiad di" – Goodbye (informal, singular)
• "Bfiad aih" – Goodbye (informal, plural)
• "Af vidašaung" – Goodbye (formal)

Useful Phrases

• "Vo is as glo? Vo is as aboadd?" – Where is the bathroom?
• "Fui gligg" – Good luck
• "Duad ma laid" – I am sorry
• "Fesch" – Attractive, stylish
• "Habe d'Ehre" – It's an honour
• "Freilich" – Of course
• "I liab di" – I love you (informal)
• "I måg di" – I like you (informal)

Bavarian-Specific Vocabulary

• "Noagerlzutzla [noagaltsuzla]" – Someone who drinks from abandoned glasses
• "Babbadeggl" – Driver's license
• "Madln or Dirdln" – Girl, young woman
• "Allmechd" – Expression of shock, surprise or regret (short for Allmächtiger Gott, or "Almighty God")
• "Oachkatzlschwoaf" – Squirrel's tail (a tongue-twister!)
• "Schuàbladdla" – Bavarian traditional dance, with over 150 versions

Numbers

"ein, zwoa, drei, vier, fünf, sechs, sieben, acht, neun, zehn" – one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten

Days of the Week

"Montag, Dienstag, Mittwoch, Donnerstag, Freitag, Samstag, Sonntag" – Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

Months of the Year

"Januar, Februar, März, April, Mai, Juni, Juli, August, September, Oktober, November, Dezember" – January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

There are also many online resources available, such as dictionaries, language learning platforms, and travel guides, to help you learn and practice Bavarian phrases and vocabulary.

Bavarian pronunciation

Firstly, it is important to understand that Bavarian is quite distinct from "textbook" or "standard" German, also known as Hochdeutsch (High German). Bavarian often sounds clipped, as if the speaker is not enunciating every syllable of every word. Therefore, listening to native speakers and practising pronunciation is crucial.

To start improving your pronunciation, break down the word or phrase you're practising into individual sounds. For example, the UK pronunciation of the word "Bavarian" can be broken down into four syllables: "buh" + "VAIR" + "ee" + "uhn". Exaggerate these sounds at first, and gradually work towards clear and consistent pronunciation.

Additionally, recording yourself saying Bavarian words and phrases can be beneficial. Listen back to identify areas where you can improve, focusing on clarity, word stress, and intonation.

Another useful tip is to immerse yourself in Bavarian through audiobooks, podcasts, or movies with subtitles. Shadowing, which involves listening to a short sentence and immediately repeating it, mimicking the intonation and pronunciation, can significantly enhance your pronunciation skills.

Finally, take advantage of online resources, such as YouTube channels dedicated to pronunciation, which can provide additional practice and guidance.

By following these tips and dedicating yourself to consistent practice, you'll be well on your way to improving your Bavarian pronunciation skills.

Bavarian grammar

Bavarian is a West Germanic language with about 14 million speakers worldwide. It is mainly a spoken language, and there is no standard way of writing it. It is primarily used in the German state of Bavaria, as well as in Austria, Italy, the Czech Republic, Switzerland, and Hungary.

Bavarian has three main dialects: Northern Bavarian, Central Bavarian, and Southern Bavarian. Northern Bavarian has 8 vowels and about 33 consonants. Northern Bavarian nouns have one of three genders: feminine, masculine, and neuter. The gender of some nouns differs from Standard German. For example, "Benzin" (petrol) is neuter in Standard German but masculine in Northern Bavarian. Northern Bavarian also has four cases: nominative, accusative, genitive, and dative. The genitive case is uncommon and is often replaced with the dative and a possessive pronoun. Northern Bavarian nouns are inflected for number and, to a lesser extent, case. Northern Bavarian verbs are conjugated for person, tense, and mood and are also subject to vowel changes and apophony.

Central Bavarian is spoken in Munich, Upper Bavaria, Lower Bavaria, southern Upper Palatinate, and in the Swabian district of Aichach-Friedberg in Bavaria. It is also spoken in northern parts of the Austrian State of Salzburg, Upper Austria, Lower Austria, and Vienna.

Southern Bavarian is spoken in Tyrol, Carinthia, Styria, and southern parts of Salzburg and Burgenland in Austria. It is also spoken in South Tyrol in northern Italy.

Bavarian dictionaries

While Bavarian is mainly a spoken language, there are some Bavarian dictionaries available. Here are some options:

Online Dictionaries

• Glosbe: This site provides a free online dictionary for translations between Bavarian and English. It also offers translations for every existing language pair. Translations are sorted by popularity, and the site also provides examples of translated sentences, audio recordings, and pictures.
• Bairischen Wörterbuch: This online Bavarian dictionary also provides lessons on Bavarian grammar, pronunciation, and common sayings and jokes.
• Bayrisches-Woerterbuch.de: This website is one of several online Bavarian dictionaries and translation tools.
• Bairisch.org: Another online Bavarian-German dictionary.
• Deutsch-bairisch.de: A Bavarian-German dictionary.
• Bayrisches-Dialekt-Woerterbuch.com: A Bavarian dialect dictionary.

Print Dictionaries

Bayerisches Wörterbuch (BWB): This dictionary covers the entire range of Bavarian vernacular, including phrases, proverbs, idioms, verses, and puns. It also includes information on pronunciation, word origin, and grammatical information.

Bavarian courses and lessons

Bavarian is a West Germanic language spoken in several regions, including Bavaria, Austria, Italy, and the Czech Republic. While it is mainly a spoken language, with no standard way of writing it, there are some resources available for those wanting to learn Bavarian.

Online Courses

FluentU is a language-learning platform that offers a 2-week free trial. It features a variety of authentic videos, such as movie trailers and news segments, which are turned into personalised language lessons. While the platform is in German, it offers lessons on the Bavarian alphabet, vocabulary, grammar, and more.

Native Monks offers Bavarian language classes through Skype with native tutors. Lessons are custom, one-on-one, and tailored to your level and objectives.

Other Resources

Bavarian-Austrian Online Lessons is a website with content written in German that covers various topics, including the Bavarian alphabet, vocabulary, grammar, and stories in Bavarian German.

Bairischen Wörterbuch is a specialised Bavarian dictionary that also offers lessons on grammar, pronunciation, and common sayings and jokes in Bavarian.

Phrasebooks and Guides

Rick Steves' Bavaria Travel Guide offers an overview of the history, culture, sights, and people of Bavaria. It is available in English and provides insights into the quintessential Bavarian experience.

Omniglot's "Useful phrases in Bavarian" and Work in Bavaria's "Bavarian Phrasebook" offer a collection of phrases and terms that can be helpful when visiting or interacting with native Bavarian speakers.

Frequently asked questions