The Language Of Austria: What Austrians Speak Daily

Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with a population of almost nine million people. The country's official language is German, with 97-98% of the population speaking it and most learning it as their first language. Austrian German differs from the German spoken in Germany, with influences from the Austro-Bavarian dialect. Austro-Bavarian is the main dialect outside of Vorarlberg and is spoken by approximately 8.3 million people. Austria also has several minority languages, including Hungarian, Slovenian, Croatian, Czech, Slovak, and Turkish.

German is the official language

Austrian German is influenced by the Austro-Bavarian dialect, which is the main dialect outside of Vorarlberg. Austro-Bavarian is the de facto first language of Austria and is spoken by approximately 8.3 million people. It differs greatly from Standard German and is very difficult for German speakers from other regions to understand.

Austrian German is mutually intelligible with Standard German, but there are some differences in accent and vocabulary. For example, the German spoken in Vienna, Austria's capital, may prove puzzling to those who speak Standard German due to differences in accent and vocabulary. German-speaking visitors may also encounter challenges with certain regional dialects, such as the local Viennese dialect.

In addition to German, Austria also recognises several minority languages, including Hungarian, Slovenian, Burgenland-Croatian, Czech, Slovak, and Romani. These languages have official status in specific regions, such as in the mixed-language districts of Carinthia, where Slovene is considered an official language alongside German.

Austrian German is distinct from German

Austrian German, also known as Austrian Standard German, Austrian High German, or simply Austrian, is distinct from German. While Austria and Germany share a rich cultural and historical heritage, their languages have some notable differences. Austrian German is a variety of the German language, with its own unique characteristics, influenced by the Austro-Bavarian dialect. Here are some key aspects that set Austrian German apart from German:

• Pronunciation: Austrian German has a softer pronunciation compared to German. The harsh German "ch" sound is often replaced or omitted in Austrian German. Consonants tend to be softened, and the frequent use of "oa" and "ia" creates a distinct Austrian German sound.
• Vocabulary: There are significant differences in vocabulary between Austrian German and German. For example, Austrians use "Erdapfel" for "potato," "Paradeiser" for "tomato," and "Schwammerl" for "mushroom." Additionally, certain words have different meanings in Austrian German, such as "Kasten," which means "wardrobe," while in German, it means "box."
• Grammar: Austrian German exhibits some grammatical differences from German. For instance, the verb "haben" (to have) is conjugated differently in Austrian German. The past tense in Austrian German is generally constructed similarly to German, but some verbs use a different auxiliary verb in the past perfect.
• Dialects: Austrian German encompasses various dialects, including Bavarian and Alemannic dialects, which are traditionally spoken but rarely written in Austria. The Bavarian dialect is widely spoken in Austria, with Central and Southern Austro-Bavarian dialects being prevalent in different regions.
• Formal and Informal Usage: Austrian German is considered the standard variety used in formal situations, media, and education. In less formal settings, Austrians often use the Bavarian and Alemannic dialects.
• Recognition: Austrian German is recognised as the official language of Austria, while German is the official language of Germany. Austrian German is also acknowledged as a distinct variety of German, with its own sociolinguistic prestige.

In summary, Austrian German and German share the same core language, but they differ in pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and dialectal variations. These differences can sometimes lead to confusion even among native speakers. However, mutual understanding is still largely possible due to the shared linguistic roots.

Austro-Bavarian is the main dialect

Austro-Bavarian differs greatly from Standard German, and is largely unintelligible to German speakers from other regions. It has no official orthography, but there have been literary efforts, especially in poetry, to depict the pronunciation in the spelling. Some words and phrases are only used in specific regions of Austria and Bavaria, and are rarely used in Standard German. These include "Griaß God" ("greet God" or "may God greet you"), "Servus/Servas" ("at your service") as greeting phrases, and "Pfiat di / Pfiat eich (euch)" ("may God watch over you"), meaning "goodbye".

The Bavarian dialect or a variant of it is spoken in all Austrian states except Vorarlberg, where an Alemannic dialect is used. The north-eastern parts of Austria, including the capital Vienna, speak Central Austro-Bavarian dialects, while the southern parts speak Southern Austro-Bavarian dialects.

Alemannic is the dialect in Vorarlberg

Alemannic, or rarely Alemannish, is a group of High German dialects. The name derives from the ancient Germanic tribal confederation known as the Alemanni ("all men"). The Alemanni were tied to the Suebi, who gave their name to Swabia (which, ironically, has an Alemannic dialect today). Alemannic comprises a dialect continuum from the Highest Alemannic spoken in the mountainous south to Swabian in the relatively flat north. The dialects become more similar to Standard German the further north one travels.

Alemannic is spoken by approximately ten million people in several countries, including Austria, where it is the main dialect in the western state of Vorarlberg. Vorarlberg uses a High Alemannic dialect, the same group as that spoken in northern Switzerland (outside Basel) and parts of southern Alsace, France. To most German speakers, it is very difficult to understand.

Alemannic dialects are also spoken in Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, the United States, and Venezuela. In Switzerland, all German-speaking parts of the country speak Alemannic except for Samnaun. In Germany, Alemannic is spoken in the centre and south of Baden-Württemberg, Swabia, and certain districts of Bavaria. In France, it is spoken in the Alsace region and in some villages in the county of Phalsbourg, Lorraine. In Italy, it is spoken in Gressoney-La-Trinité, Gressoney-Saint-Jean, Issime, Alagna Valsesia, Rimella, and Formazza, and in some other villages, it is almost extinct. In the United States, it is spoken in Allen and Adams County, Indiana, by the Amish there and in their daughter settlements in Indiana and other U.S. states. Finally, in Venezuela, Colonia Tovar is home to the Colonia Tovar dialect.

Minority languages include Hungarian, Croatian and Slovenian

Austria is home to a unique mixture of languages. While German is the official language, there are several minority languages spoken in the country, including Hungarian, Croatian, and Slovenian.

Hungarian is spoken by around 1,000 people in Burgenland, a federal state in Austria. The language holds historical importance in Austria due to the historical ties between the two countries. During the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which ended after World War II, Hungary and Austria shared a long history. Today, Hungarians in Burgenland are recognised as a minority group and have enjoyed special rights since the Austrian State Treaty of 1955.

Croatian is the largest minority language in Austria, with approximately 139,000 speakers. It is the official language in some districts of Burgenland, where it is known as Burgenland Croatian. In these districts, Croatian has equal status to German as an official language. The language is also recognised in the Austrian State Treaty of 1955, which grants special rights to the Burgenland Croats.

Slovenian is another minority language in Austria, with around 24,900 speakers. It is an official language in the state of Carinthia, where it is used by 12,686 Austrians as their primary language. Additionally, in the mixed-language districts of Carinthia, Slovene is also considered an official language. Carinthian Slovenes are recognised as a minority group and have been granted special rights and affirmative action since the Austrian State Treaty of 1955.

These minority languages reflect the diverse cultural and historical landscape of Austria, influenced by its geographical location and historical ties with neighbouring countries.

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