Leslie Massey
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a diverse city with a unique mixture of languages. German is the official language of Austria and is widely spoken in Vienna, with the variety known as Austrian German influenced by the Austro-Bavarian dialect. Vienna also has its local dialect, Wienerisch, although it is not commonly heard as the city attracts people from across Austria and beyond. Vienna has a large population of Serbian descent, and Bosnian, Hungarian, and Croatian speakers are also present in the city. English is widely understood, especially by the younger generation, and Austria ranks highly on English proficiency indices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official language | German |
| Lingua franca | German |
| De facto first language | German |
| Main dialect outside Vorarlberg | Austro-Bavarian |
| Main dialect in Vorarlberg | Alemannic |
| Number of minority languages | 20+ |
| Minority languages with official status | Hungarian, Slovenian, Burgenland-Croatian, Czech, Slovak, Romany, and sign language |
| Minority language with the most speakers | Turkish |
| Second most spoken minority language | Serbian |
| Percentage of population that speaks Serbian | 2.2% |
| Percentage of population that speaks Bosnian | 1.9% |
| Percentage of population that can converse in English | 75% |
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What You'll Learn
German is the official language
The Austro-Bavarian dialect is widely spoken across Austria, with approximately seven million speakers. However, it is not used in the federal state of Vorarlberg or some areas of Tyrol's Reutte District. Instead, these regions use an Alemannic dialect, similar to Swiss German, with around 300,000 speakers. The Alemannic dialect is challenging for most German speakers to understand.
Austria is also home to several minority languages, including Hungarian, Slovenian, Burgenland-Croatian, Czech, Slovak, and Turkish. These languages have official status in specific districts. For example, in the mixed-language districts of Carinthia, Slovene is considered an official language alongside German. Similarly, in some districts of Burgenland, Hungarian and Croatian hold equal status with German as official languages.
While English is not an official language in Austria, it is widely spoken, especially among the younger generation. Austria's high standard of education ensures that most schoolchildren receive a solid grounding in English. Additionally, streaming services, social media, and online interactions contribute to the younger population's proficiency in English. As a result, visitors to Vienna may find it relatively easy to communicate in English, especially in tourist-oriented places like hotels, stores, and restaurants.
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Austrian German differs from Standard German
German is the official language of Austria, with Austrian German being the variety used. Austrian German and Standard German are mutually intelligible, meaning speakers of these languages can understand each other. However, there are differences in accent, vocabulary, grammar, and cultural context.
Austrian German has a distinct accent characterised by a slower pace and more 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 has a more neutral and standardised pronunciation. The accent and pronunciation of Austrian German are also influenced by the region, with speakers from different provinces of Austria easily distinguished by their particular accents.
There are key vocabulary differences between Austrian German and Standard German. For example, Austrians say "grüß gott" or "servus" to greet someone, while in Germany, "hallo" or "guten tag" are more common. There are also culinary terms that differ between the two varieties, such as "Semmel" in Austrian German for a bread roll, which is called "Brötchen" in Standard German. Administrative and legal language also differ due to Austria's exclusion from the development of a German nation-state in the late 19th century and its particular traditions.
Minor grammatical differences also exist between Austrian German and Standard German. For example, the perfect tense in Austrian German sometimes uses "sein" ("to be"), while Standard German uses "haben" ("to have"). Additionally, the use of the genitive case (possessive case) is less common in Austrian German, with speakers often opting for other grammatical constructions.
The differences between Austrian German and Standard German reflect cultural nuances and historical influences. Austrians tend to use more formal language in social situations, emphasising politeness and respect. Standard German may be considered more straightforward and less formal. Austrian German has been influenced by neighbouring regions, including Bavaria and Hungary, as well as immigration during the Austro-Hungarian period.
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English is widely spoken
English is the primary foreign language taught in Austrian schools, and most Austrian schoolchildren receive a solid grounding in the language. In addition, Austrian children learn English through Netflix and other streaming services, as well as through social media and online interactions. Austria was ranked third in the world for English proficiency in 2023, ahead of Scandinavia. This high proficiency rate is likely due to the country's high standard of education and the influence of digital media.
In Vienna, you will find that most people you meet speak at least some English. The younger generation, in particular, is fluent in the language. The locals are also accustomed to dealing with foreigners and are known for being friendly and helpful. They will often switch to standard German to assist you if needed and are usually patient with tourists who do not speak German fluently.
However, it is important to note that German is the official language of Austria and is spoken by around 88% of the population. While English is widely spoken in Vienna, it is still beneficial to know some basic German phrases when visiting the city. Learning German can make tasks like opening a bank account, renting an apartment, or using public transportation easier. Additionally, Austrians generally prefer tourists who are polite and respectful and make an effort to speak German.
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Vienna has its own dialect
Vienna, the capital of Austria, has its own dialect, Viennese German, also known as Wienerisch. It is counted among the Bavarian dialects and is distinct from written Standard German in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. The Viennese dialect has retained many Middle High German and even Old High German roots. It has also integrated expressions from other languages, particularly from other parts of the former Habsburg monarchy, as Vienna was a melting pot for its constituent populations in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Viennese German has several variations and accents depending on the social class and district of the speaker. For example, Schönbrunner Deutsch was the German spoken by courtiers and attendants of the Habsburg Imperial Court at Schönbrunn Imperial Palace. It was characterised by an affected bored inflection combined with overenunciation. The working-class dialect, on the other hand, reflects Czech pronunciation, with the /l/ pronounced with velarization [ɫ].
At the beginning of the 20th century, there were four distinct Viennese dialects, named after the districts in which they were spoken: Favoritnerisch (Favoriten, 10th District), Meidlingerisch, (Meidling, 12th District), Ottakringerisch (Ottakring, 16th District), and Floridsdorferisch (Floridsdorf, 21st District). Today, these labels are no longer applicable, and a single Viennese dialect is spoken, with variations depending on the region.
The Viennese dialect is known for its frequent use of irony and sarcasm, which can be a source of misunderstandings for foreigners. It also has a unique, melodic sound, with a warm, undulating tone created by intonating sentences with distinctive ups and downs. The Viennese dialect has influenced the Schönbrunn variety of Standard German, which is considered more elegant and refined.
While Viennese German is still widely spoken in Vienna, the city is also home to people from other parts of Austria and the world. As a result, the younger generation is moving towards a more internationalised form of German through digital influences. However, understanding some Viennese dialect can be fun and provide a closer connection to the local culture and history.
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Minority languages include Turkish and Serbian
Vienna, the capital of Austria, is a melting pot of nationalities and languages. The official language of Austria is German, and this is the most widely spoken language in Vienna. However, Vienna is also home to a diverse range of minority languages, including Turkish and Serbian.
Turkish is the second-largest minority language in Austria and is spoken by around 2.3% of the population. The Turkish Austrian community is well-established in Vienna and other big cities like Salzburg. They form the largest ethnic minority group in the country and are the second-largest ethnic group after ethnic Austrians. The Turkish influence in Vienna is so notable that it has been referred to as the "Turkish Face of Vienna". This influence extends beyond language to food, with the famous doner kebab being one of Austria's most popular fast foods, and historical reminders can be found in almost every district. The Turkish community in Vienna includes students, professionals such as bankers and doctors, and diplomats.
The Turkish Austrian population has been shaped by several waves of migration. Initially, Turkish Bulgarians came to Austria in the late 1980s to escape assimilation policies in Bulgaria, including the banning of the Turkish language. More recently, there has been a mass migration of ethnic Turks from Greece, as well as Turkish Kosovars who arrived as refugees during the Kosovo War. Additionally, Turkish people were recruited to Austria as "guest workers" in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly in the construction and export industries.
Serbian, while not listed as one of the recognised minority languages in Austria, is part of the Serbo-Croatian language, which is the largest minority language in the country, spoken by over 4% of the population. Serbian has a significant historical presence in Vienna, particularly through the Vienna Literary Agreement of 1850, which aimed to create a standardised Serbo-Croatian language. This agreement was a pivotal moment in the development of Serbian as a national standard language.
Vienna's linguistic landscape is further enriched by other minority languages, including Hungarian, Slovenian, Burgenland-Croatian, Czech, Slovak, and Romany, reflecting the city's diverse cultural fabric.
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Frequently asked questions
The official language of Vienna, Austria, is German.
The main dialect spoken in Vienna is Viennese German, also known as Wienerisch.
Apart from German, Turkish is the most widely spoken minority language in Vienna. Serbian, Croatian, Bosnian, and Czech are also commonly spoken in the city.
Yes, English is the most common foreign language spoken in Vienna. Most Austrians can converse in English, and it is widely used in the tourism industry.
