Leslie Massey
Austrian German and German are mutually intelligible, but there are some notable differences between the two varieties. Austrian German, the official language of Austria, has a distinct accent and a smaller vocabulary than Standard German. It also has different pronunciation rules, grammar rules, and verb placements. While most Austrians can understand Standard German, certain dialects, such as the Viennese dialect, may be more challenging for German speakers. The two languages also differ in vocabulary, with Austrians using different words for common objects and food items.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official Language | Austrian German is the official language of Austria, whereas German is the official language of Germany. |
| History | Austrian German has its roots in the mid-18th century when compulsory schooling was introduced in the multilingual Habsburg Empire. Austrian German was influenced by the Bavarian and Alemannic dialects of Austria. German, on the other hand, has its origins in the Germanic family of languages. |
| Mutual Intelligibility | Austrian German and Standard German are mutually intelligible, meaning speakers of both languages can generally understand each other. |
| Accent | Austrian German has a distinct accent that differs from Standard German. The Austrian accent is described as softer, more melodic, and cute. |
| Vocabulary | Austrian German has a smaller vocabulary than Standard German, and there are notable differences in vocabulary between the two languages, especially in culinary terms, administrative and legal language, and colloquial expressions. |
| Grammar | Austrian German grammar rules differ from Standard German in verb placement and the use of feminine nouns. Austrian German also uses "sein" ("to be") instead of "haben" ("to have") in the perfect tense. |
| Pronunciation | Austrian German has different pronunciation rules, resulting in a distinct accent. For example, the letter 'g' is often pronounced as a /k/ sound. |
| Dialects | Austrian German has various dialects, including Northern, Central, and Southern dialects, which differ in their level of similarity to Standard German. The Viennese dialect, for example, is more challenging for German speakers to understand. |
| Formal and Informal Usage | In formal situations, Austrians use Austrian Standard German, while in informal settings, they use Bavarian and Alemannic dialects. |
What You'll Learn
Austrian German and German have different pronunciation rules
In addition to these pronunciation differences, Austrian German also differs from German in terms of vocabulary, grammar, and accent. While Austrian German and Standard German share a lot of vocabulary, there are some notable differences. For example, Austrians use different words for certain foods, such as "Semmel" for a small round bread roll, while in Germany, it is called "Brötchen". There are also differences in verb conjugation and the use of auxiliary verbs in the perfect tense.
The accent of Austrian German also differs from that of Standard German. Austrians tend to have a very distinct accent when speaking German, which can be quite difficult for Germans from other regions to understand. The geographic borderlines between the different accents coincide strongly with the borders of the states and even with the border with Bavaria, with Bavarians having a markedly different rhythm of speech despite the linguistic similarities.
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Austrian German has a smaller vocabulary than Standard German
Austrian German and Standard German are mutually intelligible, but they do have their differences. Austrian German, or Österreichisches Deutsch, has a smaller vocabulary than Standard German and often uses different words to convey the same meaning.
Take food, for example. Austrians and Germans may both be referring to the same thing, but they use different words to describe it. In Austrian German, a potato is an "Erdapfel", while in Standard German, it's a "Kartoffel". Similarly, a tomato is a "Paradeiser" in Austrian German and a "Tomate" in Standard German. The differences extend to other food items as well, such as "Semmel" (Austrian German) and "Brötchen" (Standard German) for a bread roll, and "Faschiertes" (Austrian German) and "Hackfleisch" (Standard German) for ground beef.
The differences in vocabulary are not limited to food items. For instance, January is "Jänner" in Austrian German and "Januar" in Standard German. A bag is called a "Sackerl" in Austrian German and a "Tüte" in Standard German. Austrians also have their own unique words and phrases, such as "stimmt", which means "right" and is pronounced /SHTEEMT/.
The variations in vocabulary between Austrian German and Standard German can be attributed to historical and cultural factors. Austria has been influenced by neighbouring regions, including Bavaria and Hungary, which has resulted in the adoption of certain words and expressions that differ from those used in Standard German. Additionally, Austria's exclusion from the development of a German nation-state in the late 19th century and its particular traditions have contributed to the distinct vocabulary of Austrian German.
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Austrian German grammar rules differ from Standard German
Another difference lies in the use of personal pronouns. In Austrian German, the pronoun "sie" (they/them) can be used as a singular pronoun, whereas in Standard German, it is only used for plural subjects. This usage is more common among younger speakers of Austrian German.
Furthermore, Austrian German exhibits a distinct accent characterised by a slower pace and musical intonation. Vowels tend to be pronounced more openly, and the letter "r" is often pronounced with a rolling "r" sound, influenced by Bavarian dialects. In contrast, Standard German adheres to a more neutral and standardised pronunciation.
While Austrian German and Standard German share a common linguistic heritage, these grammatical variations contribute to the distinctiveness of Austrian German and reflect the diverse cultural and historical influences that have shaped Austria's linguistic landscape.
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Austrian German has a distinct accent
Vowels in Austrian German tend to be more nasal, sometimes giving words a more French sound. Additionally, unaccented vowels are often dropped, which can make it difficult for German speakers to understand. For example, the phrase "Schönes Wetter haben wir heute oder?" (The weather is nice today, isn't it?) may sound like "Schön(e)s wett(e)r hab(e)n w(i)r heut(e) oder?" to German speakers.
The accent differences between Austrian German and German can be likened to the differences between a British accent and a Scottish or Irish accent. While the languages are mutually intelligible, the distinct accent of Austrian German sets it apart from German.
The geographic borderlines between the different accents (isoglosses) strongly coincide with the borders of the states and the border with Bavaria, with Bavarians having a markedly different rhythm of speech despite the linguistic similarities.
In addition to accent variations, Austrian German also differs from German in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation rules, which contribute to the unique character of the language variety spoken in Austria.
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German and Austrian German have different verb conjugations
German and Austrian German differ in verb conjugation in several ways. Firstly, Austrian German uses different pronunciation rules, resulting in a distinct accent. Secondly, Austrian German grammar rules differ from those of Standard German, with verb placement being one of the main differences. For example, the verb "haben" (to have) is conjugated as "hat" in Austrian but remains "haben" in German. Additionally, Austrian German has a smaller vocabulary than Standard German, and feminine nouns often take on a different ending. Despite these differences, most Austrians can easily understand Standard German when spoken slowly and clearly.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Austrian German and Standard German are mutually intelligible, meaning speakers of the two languages can generally understand each other. However, there are some notable differences in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation that may cause confusion.
Austrian German uses different pronunciation rules, resulting in a distinct accent. It also has a smaller vocabulary and often uses different words to convey the same meaning as Standard German. Additionally, Austrian German grammar rules differ in some respects, such as verb placement and the endings of feminine nouns.
It depends on your personal goals and preferences. If you plan to communicate with a broad range of German speakers across different nations, Standard German may be more useful as it is widely understood and has more learning resources available. However, if you are primarily interested in Austrian culture or plan to visit Austria, you may find it easier to learn Austrian German and pick up some local slang.
