Lexi Webster
Austrian German and Standard German are two variations of the same language, with some distinct differences. Austrian German, or Österreichisches Deutsch, is the variation of Standard German written and spoken in Austria and South Tyrol. It has its roots in the mid-18th century when Empress Maria Theresa and her son Joseph II introduced compulsory schooling and administrative reforms in their multilingual Habsburg Empire. While Austrian German and Standard German are mutually intelligible, they differ in accent, vocabulary, grammar, and cultural context. These differences are influenced by the diverse cultural and historical influences that have shaped Austria's linguistic landscape.
Differences between German and Austrian Language
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of Speakers | German: 80 million native speakers; Austrian German: 8-9 million native speakers |
| Official Status | Both German and Austrian German are official languages in their respective countries |
| History | Austrian German dates back to the 18th century |
| Vocabulary | Austrian German has a smaller vocabulary than Standard German and often employs different words to convey the same meaning |
| Pronunciation | Austrian German has a distinct accent, characterized by a slower pace and musical intonation |
| Grammar | Austrian German grammar rules differ from Standard German in verb placement and the use of the genitive case |
| Regional Dialects | Both German and Austrian German have regional dialects that can vary significantly |
| Formality | Austrians tend to use more formal language in social situations, emphasizing politeness and respect |
| Influence | Austrian German has been influenced by non-Germanic linguistic groups, such as Slovene and Czech |
| Standardization | Austrian German has been standardized in the Österreichisches Wörterbuch since 1951 |
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What You'll Learn
Vocabulary differences
Austrian German and Standard German are remarkably similar, as they both stem from the West Germanic family of languages. In essence, they are two variations of German. Most of the vocabulary is shared, and speakers of one can generally understand the other without much difficulty. However, there are key vocabulary differences to be aware of.
When it comes to vocabulary, Austrian German has its own set of words and phrases that are not used or may have different meanings in Standard German. For instance, while the word ‘Erdapfel’ is the accepted Austrian German term for ‘potato’, more than half of the Austrian population use the standard German ‘Kartoffel’. In Austrian German, the common diminutive suffix is "-erl". For example, "Mäderl" (little girl) or "Häuserl" (little house). In some parts of Austria, you can also find "-li", as in "Hündli" (little dog), reflecting an influence from Swiss German.
There are also many official terms that differ in Austrian German from their usage in most parts of Germany. Austrians use "Jänner" for January, while Germans use "Januar". Austrians say "heuer" for "this year", while Germans say "dieses Jahr". Austrians say "Stiege" for "stairs", while Germans say "Treppen". Another example is "Rauchfang", the Austrian German word for "chimney", which differs from the Standard German "Schornstein".
In addition, there are numerous food terms that differ between Austrian German and Standard German. For example, the words for "tomato" and "Brussels sprouts" are different in Austrian German and Standard German. There are also false friends between the two varieties, such as "Kasten" (wardrobe) in Austrian German, which means "box" or "chest" in Standard German.
Furthermore, Austrian German and Standard German have different ways of saying hello. In Austria, people say "grüß gott" or "servus", while in Germany, people say "hallo" or "guten tag".
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Pronunciation and accent
Austrian German and Standard German are two variations of the German language, with differences in pronunciation and accent. Austrian German has a distinct accent that is noticeably slower and more musical in intonation. The vowels are pronounced more openly, and the letter "r" is often pronounced with a rolling "r" sound, influenced by Bavarian dialects. In contrast, Standard German, or High German, has a more neutral and standardized pronunciation.
The Austrian German accent can be quite challenging for Germans from other regions to comprehend. The differences in pronunciation and accent between Austrian German and Standard German are influenced by regional variations and cultural influences. For instance, the Viennese dialect is more difficult for German speakers to understand, and even Austrians in the rural west of the Austrian Alps sound distinct from those in Vienna.
The Austrian vowel system is more similar to other Central German varieties than to Standard German. The pronunciation of certain words and phrases also varies between Austrian German and Standard German. For example, the word "ja" (yes) can be used as an interjection in Austrian German but not in Standard German. Additionally, Austrian German has unique words and phrases, such as "Grüß Gott" for "hello" and "leiwand" for "cool" or "great," which contribute to its distinct accent.
The diminutive form in Austrian German differs from Standard German, with Austrians adding "-el" and "-erl" to the end of words instead of "-chen" or "-lein." For example, "Mäderl" means "little girl," and "Häuserl" means "little house." In some parts of Austria, the "-li" diminutive, influenced by Swiss German, is also used, such as "Hündli" for "little dog."
Furthermore, Austrian German has been influenced by Austro-Bavarian, a German dialect spoken in Austria, resulting in distinct pronunciation and accent differences. While Austrian German and Standard German are mutually intelligible, the differences in pronunciation and accent can lead to minor confusion or misunderstandings, especially with region-specific terms or expressions.
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Grammatical differences
Austrian German and Standard German are two variations of the German language, stemming from the West Germanic family of languages. While they are mutually intelligible, there are some grammatical differences between the two.
One grammatical difference is the use of different auxiliary verbs to form the past perfect tense. In Standard German, certain verbs are always used with "sein" (to be) and others with "haben" (to have). In Austrian German, however, there is a preference for using "haben" (to have) for verbs that typically use "sein" (to be) in Standard German. For example, in Standard German, the verb "gehen" (to go) in the past tense is "gegangen sein", whereas in Austrian German, it is "gegangen haben".
Another grammatical distinction is the use of the genitive case (possessive case). In Austrian German, the use of the genitive case is less common, and speakers often opt for other grammatical constructions. For example, in Standard German, one would say "das Auto meines Bruders" (my brother's car), using the genitive case. In Austrian German, however, one might say "das Auto von meinem Bruder", using a prepositional phrase instead.
The diminutive suffixes also differ between Austrian German and Standard German. In Standard German, the most common diminutive suffix is "-chen". For example, "Hund" (dog) becomes "Hündchen" (little dog). In Austrian German, the common diminutive suffix is "-erl". So, "Mädchen" (girl) becomes "Mäderl" (little girl).
Additionally, Austrian German has been influenced by various non-Germanic linguistic groups due to its history and geographical location. For example, the dialect of Carinthia has been influenced by Slovene, and the dialect of Vienna has been influenced by immigration from the Czech Republic. These influences have resulted in loanwords and variations in grammar and vocabulary.
Furthermore, the official Austrian dictionary, Österreichisches Wörterbuch, prescribes spelling rules that define the official language in Austria. This has led to some differences in verb placement and the endings of feminine nouns between Austrian German and Standard German.
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$21
Regional dialects
Austrian German and Standard German are two variations of the same language, with Standard German being more widely spoken. Austrian German is influenced by Austro-Bavarian, a German dialect spoken in Austria. German speakers from both Austria and Germany will be able to understand someone speaking standard German, but there are still many differences between the two.
Austrian German has a distinct accent, with a slower pace and more musical intonation. The letter "r" is often pronounced with a rolling "r" sound, influenced by Bavarian dialects. In contrast, Standard German has a more neutral and standardized pronunciation.
There are also differences in vocabulary between the two variations. For example, in Austrian German, the word for "potato" is "Erdapfel", while in Standard German, it is "Kartoffel". Another example is the word for "tomato", which in Austrian German is "Paradeiser" and in Standard German is "Tomate". These differences in vocabulary can be seen in culinary terms, administrative and legal language, and personal pronouns.
Grammatical differences also exist between Austrian German and Standard German. For instance, Austrian German exhibits a preference for using the past tense with "haben" (to have) instead of "sein" (to be) for verbs that typically use "sein" in Standard German. Additionally, the use of the genitive case (possessive case) is less common in Austrian German, and feminine nouns often take on a different ending.
Within Austria and Germany, there are regional dialects that differ from each other. In Austria, the Viennese dialect is quite distinct from other dialects in the country, and it is more challenging for German speakers to understand. The Austrian dialect spoken in the rural west of the Austrian Alps also differs from the Viennese dialect. Similarly, in Germany, the southern region uses the suffix "-lein" in addition to the standard German suffix "-chen" for diminutives.
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Formality
Austrian German and Standard German are two variations of the German language, with most of the vocabulary shared between them. However, there are differences in terms of formality and politeness. Austrian German tends to be more polite and formal, with a preference for longer apologies and a more roundabout way of speaking compared to the more direct and pragmatic way that Germans tend to communicate. This is reflected in the old joke that Germans are incapable of extending an apology beyond "I am sorry", whereas Austrians are incapable of shortening their apologies to less than three sentences.
The differences in formality and politeness between Austrian German and Standard German can be attributed to the distinct cultures and manners that have developed in Austria and Germany. While Austrians and Germans can easily understand each other, there are regional dialects and specific terms unique to each country. For example, Austrians say ""Grüß Gott" or "Servus" to greet someone, whereas Germans typically say ""Hallo" or "Guten Tag". Austrians also have unique words for certain foods, such as ""Erdapfel" for "potato" and "Semmel" for a bread roll.
In terms of pronunciation, Austrian German has a distinct accent characterised by a slower pace and a more musical or song-like intonation. Vowels tend to be pronounced more openly, and the letter "r" is often pronounced with a rolling "r" sound, influenced by Bavarian dialects. Standard German, on the other hand, adheres to a more neutral and standardised pronunciation. Austrian German also exhibits some grammatical differences, such as a preference for using the past tense with "haben" (to have) instead of "sein" (to be).
The differences between Austrian German and Standard German can be traced back to their historical and cultural influences. Austrian German, for example, has been influenced by the Habsburg Empire, resulting in a more formal and polite language. Standard German, meanwhile, has been influenced by the administrative language of the non-Austrian area of Meissen and Dresden. Despite these differences, Austrian German and Standard German are mutually intelligible, and speakers of one variation can generally understand the other without much difficulty.
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Frequently asked questions
Austrian German and Standard German are two variations of the German language, with distinct accents, vocabulary, grammar, and cultural context. Austrian German has a slower pace, a more musical intonation, and a rolling "r" sound.
Some examples of vocabulary differences include:
- "Erdapfel" (Austrian German) vs. "Kartoffel" (Standard German) for "potato"
- "Paradeiser" (Austrian German) vs. "Tomate" (Standard German) for "tomato"
- "Hallo" or "Guten Tag" (Standard German) vs. "Grüß Gott" or "Servus" (Austrian German) for "hello"
Yes, Austrian German exhibits some grammatical distinctions. For example, Austrian German uses the past tense with "haben" (to have) instead of "sein" (to be) for verbs that typically use "sein" in Standard German. Additionally, the use of the genitive case (possessive case) is less common in Austrian German.
Yes, Austrian German and Standard German are mutually intelligible, meaning speakers of both languages can generally understand each other. However, there may be some difficulty understanding certain dialects, such as the Viennese dialect, which is more impenetrable to German speakers.
The choice depends on your goals and preferences. If you want to communicate broadly across German-speaking nations, Standard German may be more suitable. However, if you are particularly interested in Austrian culture and plan to interact primarily with Austrians, learning Austrian German could be more beneficial.
