Lexi Webster
Austria is a landlocked country in Central Europe with a population of almost nine million people. The country's official language is German, which is spoken by 97-98% of the population, and the main dialect outside Vorarlberg is Austro-Bavarian, which has around seven to eight million speakers. However, there are several other languages spoken in Austria, including minority languages such as Hungarian, Croatian, Czech, Slovak, and Slovenian, which have official status in certain regions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official language | Austrian German |
| Lingua franca | German |
| De facto first language | German |
| Main dialect outside Vorarlberg | Austro-Bavarian |
| Main dialect in Vorarlberg | Alemannic |
| Number of languages spoken | 250 |
| Largest minority language | Serbo-Croatian |
| Second-largest minority language | Turkish |
| Third-largest minority language | Romanian |
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Austrian German
In less formal situations, Austrians use Bavarian and Alemannic dialects, which are traditionally spoken but rarely written in Austria. Alemannic, or Swiss German, is spoken by about 300,000 people, mostly in Vorarlberg, where it is the main dialect. The Alemannic dialect used in Vorarlberg is the same dialect group spoken in Northern Switzerland and parts of southern Alsace, France, and is very difficult for most German speakers to understand.
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Austro-Bavarian
The native language of Austria is German, which is the country's official language. However, Austro-Bavarian is the main dialect spoken outside of Vorarlberg. It is a collection of dialects native to the region, with distinct branches spoken in the northern and southern parts of the country. Austro-Bavarian is also used to refer to the dialect group that includes the Austro-Bavarian dialect, as well as the Cimbrian, Hutterite German, and Mócheno dialects of Germany.
While Austro-Bavarian is considered a dialect by experts and most of its speakers, some argue that it is a distinct language due to its differences from Standard German. The International Organization for Standardization has assigned it a unique language code, and UNESCO lists it as an endangered language. However, elevating it to a language classification is debated, as dialects within Austro-Bavarian can vary significantly from each other, similar to the variations between Austro-Bavarian and Standard German.
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Alemannic
The oldest known texts in Alemannic are brief Elder Futhark inscriptions dating to the sixth century, and the first coherent texts are recorded in the St. Gall Abbey during the Old High German period.
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Minority languages
German is the official language of Austria and is spoken by nearly all Austrians. However, there are several minority languages spoken in the country, some of which have official status.
Serbo-Croatian
Serbo-Croatian is the largest minority language in Austria, spoken by more than 4% of the population. It is the official language of the Burgenland region, where it is known as Burgenland Croatian, and is recognised as a minority language throughout the country.
Hungarian
Hungarian is recognised as an official language in the Burgenland area and is spoken by around 1,000 people in the region. It has traditionally held an important position in Austria due to historical ties between the two countries.
Slovene
Slovene is an official language in the Austrian state of Carinthia, where it is spoken by nearly 14,000 people. Carinthian Slovenes are recognised as a minority throughout Austria and have enjoyed special rights since the Austrian State Treaty of 1955.
Other minority languages
Other minority languages spoken in Austria include Czech, Slovak, Roma, Turkish, and Slovenian. While these languages do not have official status in any specific region, they are recognised as official minority languages by the Austrian government.
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Regional dialects
The official language of Austria is German, which is used in the media, schools, and formal announcements. However, Austrian German is influenced by the Austro-Bavarian dialect, which is native to the region and differs greatly from Standard German. Austro-Bavarian has no official orthography, but there are literary efforts, especially in poems, to depict the sound of the pronunciation in the spelling.
Austro-Bavarian is the main dialect outside Vorarlberg, with more than 8 million speakers in Austria. The northeastern parts of Austria, including Vienna, speak Central Austro-Bavarian dialects, while the southern parts speak Southern Austro-Bavarian dialects. The local Viennese dialect is far less recognizable to German speakers.
Alemannic, or Swiss German, is the main dialect spoken in Vorarlberg and parts of Tyrol. It is also spoken in Northern Switzerland and parts of southern Alsace, France. However, it is difficult for most German speakers to understand.
In addition to these main dialects, there are several minority languages spoken in Austria, including Turkish, Croatian, Slovenian, and Hungarian. These languages have been influenced by immigration from countries like Turkey and Yugoslavia. English is also widely spoken in Austria, with about 40% of the population speaking it.
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Frequently asked questions
The official language of Austria is German, which is spoken by 97-98% of the population.
No, there is no language called Austrian. The official language of the country is Austrian German, which differs from German as it is spoken in Germany. Austrian German is influenced by the Austro-Bavarian dialect.
The main dialect in Vorarlberg is Alemannic, which is similar to Swiss German.
Minority languages spoken in Austria include Hungarian, Croatian, Czech, Slovak, Slovenian, Roma, Serbian, and Turkish.
About 250 languages are spoken throughout Austria, though many have very small populations of speakers.
