The Unique Melody Of Austrian Accents

The Austrian accent is a topic of interest, especially for those learning German as a foreign language. While it may be challenging to acquire an Austrian accent as a non-native speaker, it is not impossible. Exposure to Austrian media, interactions with Austrians, and specific resources from Austria can help in picking up on the nuances of the accent. The Austrian accent has variations, with the Viennese dialect being one notable example, and the sing-songy Vorarlberg accent being another.

The Viennese accent

One specific tip to sound more like a Viennese speaker is to avoid using the soft or voiced "s", like the sound in "zoo" or "rise". Instead, use the sharper "s" sound, as in "Sue", "rice", "sun", or "science". Another example is the colloquial way of saying "nein" (no) in German; in Vienna, it is more common to say "naaa", whereas in Germany, they would say "neee".

Additionally, when using colloquialisms, ensure they are Austrian and not German. The dialects in Austria are considered High German dialects but are not Standard German. So, while Austrians may refer to their language as "Hochdeutsch", this can create confusion as it is not the standard German that Germans speak. This distinction is important to avoid having a German accent while speaking Austrian German.

Overall, learning the Viennese accent as a non-native speaker is a challenging endeavour, but with dedication, exposure, and practice, it is possible to absorb and reproduce some of its unique qualities.

The Vorarlberg accent

The Vorarlberg dialect is more closely related to Swiss German than the East Upper German dialects spoken in the rest of Austria. This is due to its proximity to Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Germany, with which it shares land borders. The Alemannic dialect is also spoken in these neighbouring countries, which include the Swiss cantons of St. Gallen and Graubünden, and the German state of Bavaria.

The capital of Vorarlberg is Bregenz, and the biggest cities are Feldkirch and Dornbirn. As of 2016, the population was approximately 384,000 people, with 78% being Roman Catholic and 8.4% following Islam.

Austrian German

To learn the Austrian German accent, it is recommended to focus on resources and content specifically from Austria. This includes finding a teacher or instructor from Austria, as well as consuming Austrian media such as news, TV shows, and movies. It is also important to pay attention to the specific phonemes and intonation patterns that differ from other varieties of German. For example, Austrians tend to use a harder "s" sound, as in "sun" or "science," rather than the softer "s" in words like "zoo" or "rise."

Additionally, colloquialisms play a significant role in sounding like a native Austrian. For instance, while the standard High German word for "no" is "nein," Austrians may say "naaa" instead of the German "neee." It is also worth noting that Austrians often do not speak proper standard High German in their everyday lives. The colloquial language in Austria incorporates elements of regional accents, dialects, and standard High German, resulting in unique grammar, pronunciation, melody, and vocabulary.

The Vorarlberg accent, for example, shares similarities with the Eastern Swiss dialects and accents from South West Germany and Switzerland. This is due to their shared branch of the German language, known as Alemannic, which is distinct from Standard German. Ultimately, to sound like an average Austrian or Viennese speaker, one must immerse themselves in the language as spoken in Austria and pay attention to the nuances of the accent and colloquialisms.

Austrian colloquialisms

Although Austria and Germany share the same language, there are significant differences in the way it is used in everyday life. Austrian German is spoken with a distinct accent and has many unique colloquialisms and slang terms.

One of the most notable differences is the use of "Grüß Gott", which translates to "greet God", as a common greeting. Austrians also tend to use more vague and ambiguous language than Germans, who are typically more direct and straight to the point. Additionally, Austrian German is often more ironic, which can sometimes lead to misunderstandings between the two cultures.

• "Krass", "Wahnsinnig", "Geil", and "Leiwand": These words are used to express strong feelings or emotions. "Krass" can be used to describe something that is extremely good or bad. "Wahnsinnig" has a similar meaning and is often used to convey a sense of adrenaline or excitement. "Geil" means "cool" or "awesome", but be careful as it can also mean "horny" in some contexts. "Leiwand" is commonly used in Vienna to describe something cool or brilliant.
• "Quasi", "sozusagen", "naja", and "halt": These words are filler words similar to "like" in English. They are often used when someone is lost for words or hesitant about a statement.
• "Na": This one-syllable word is a concise way to ask someone how they are or how something went. However, be careful not to confuse it with "Na und?" ("so what?") or "Na geh?" (Austrian for 'really?!').
• "Oida": This word is commonly used in informal conversations and means "Dude!". It can also be used to express displeasure or dismay about a situation or someone's bad luck.
• "Schmarrn", "Blödsinn", "Quatsch": These words are used to describe someone who is talking nonsense. 'Schmarrn' is more commonly used in Austria and southern Germany, while 'Quatsch' is more prevalent in the rest of Germany.
• "Bock haben": This phrase is similar to "Lust haben" and means "to want to do something" or "to be up for doing something". For example, "Ich habe keinen Bock darauf" means you are not enthusiastic about something.
• "Auf jeden Fall": This is a more casual way of saying "natürlich" ("of course"). It means "definitely" or "for sure".
• "Deppert": This adjective means "stupid" or "idiotic" and is commonly used in eastern Austria to express amazement or disbelief. However, be cautious when using this term in Germany as it may be considered offensive.
• "Tschick": This is the Austrian-language term for cigarettes, derived from the Slavik languages or the Italian word "cicca".

German accents in general

German accents and dialects vary widely, with an estimated 250 dialects in existence. All German accents and dialects stem from the language spoken by various Germanic tribes, but they have evolved differently over the past centuries and millennia. The different dialects are conventionally grouped into Upper German, Central German, and Low German, with Upper and Central German forming the High German subgroup.

Standard German, or Standarddeutsch, is the dominant, norm-setting variety that almost all non-native speakers learn. It exists in every German-speaking country, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, and is the language used in German classes for students studying abroad in Germany. Even Germans who grow up speaking a non-standard dialect at home usually master Standard German due to lifelong exposure.

However, there are many other types of German accents and dialects. Swiss German, or Schwiizerdütsch, is the catch-all term for the different varieties in the German-speaking cantons of Switzerland, which share some common trends such as vowel shifts. Austrian German, or Österreichisches Deutsch, is very similar to German Standard German in writing, but spoken language differs, with unique words and pronunciation differences. The Bavarian Dialect, or Bayerisch, is spoken in Bavaria in southeastern Germany and often confuses Germans from other parts of the country. The Upper Saxon Dialect, or Sächsisch, is considered by many to be the "ugliest" German variety, with a unique pronunciation of the "ei" vowel sounds and some "R" sounds. The Berlin Dialect, or Berlinerisch, is known for replacing "ch" sounds with "k" and softening hard "g" into "j." Low German, or Plattdüütsch, refers to the dialects of the lowlands of northern Germany, in contrast to the highlands of the Alps, and is considered a separate language by some speakers. Pennsylvania "Dutch," or Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch, is a variety of German passed down within some communities in North America, particularly among descendants of Amish and Mennonite settlers.

Some general rules for speaking with a German accent include pronouncing "w" as "v," pronouncing "th" as "z" or "s," using "f" in place of "v," and changing words starting with "st" and "sp." For example, "what" becomes "vat," "thought" becomes "sought," "oven" becomes "ofen," and "spin" becomes "shpin." Additionally, "sh" sounds often include a "ch" sound, and gerunds ending in "ing" become "ink."

Frequently asked questions