Ruqayyah Snyder
Austria is a landlocked Central European country with a population of almost nine million people. German is the official language of Austria and is spoken by 98% of the population. The variety of German used in Austria is Austrian German, which is influenced by Austro-Bavarian and differs from standard German in vocabulary and grammar. Austro-Bavarian is the main dialect outside Vorarlberg and has approximately 8.3 million speakers in Austria. The north-eastern parts of Austria speak Central Austro-Bavarian dialects, while the southern parts speak Southern Austro-Bavarian dialects. In addition to German, several minority languages are spoken in Austria, including Croatian, Hungarian, Slovenian, Turkish, Serbian, and Bosnian. Salzburg, the fourth-largest city in Austria, is part of the region of Austro-Bavarian dialects, specifically Central Bavarian. While German is widely spoken in Salzburg, the city is cosmopolitan and English is also commonly used.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Official language | German |
| Dialects | Austro-Bavarian, Central Bavarian |
| Other languages spoken | Bosnian, Croatian, Czech, Hungarian, Polish, Romani, Serbian, Slovak, Slovene, Turkish, Yiddish |
| English speakers | 3/4th of the population |
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What You'll Learn
Austrian German
The history of Austrian German is closely tied to the history of Austria itself. After World War I, Austria began to establish itself as a sovereign nation, separate from Germany. Before this, the spoken standard in Austria was Schönbrunner Deutsch, a sociolect influenced by Viennese German and other Austro-Bavarian dialects spoken in eastern Austria. Austrian German has its beginnings in the mid-18th century when Empress Maria Theresa and her son Joseph II introduced compulsory schooling and several reforms in their multilingual Habsburg Empire. In 1946, the Austrian parliament enacted legislation that nationalized over 70 firms in essential industries and services, further shaping the country's economic and linguistic landscape.
Salzburg, in particular, is known for its Austro-Bavarian dialect, specifically Central Bavarian. While it is widely spoken by people of all ages, there has been a recent shift towards standard German among younger generations, possibly due to media consumption. Salzburg's dialect differs from standard German in pronunciation, vocabulary, and grammar, and it may be challenging for German speakers to understand.
Despite the differences between Austrian German and Standard German, individuals with knowledge of one language will likely be able to understand the other without significant issues. However, it is worth noting that strong forms of certain Austrian dialects may be less intelligible to northern Germans. Additionally, the Viennese dialect, for example, is more challenging for German speakers to comprehend. These regional variations within Austria and Germany highlight the richness and complexity of the languages and the importance of recognizing their distinct characteristics.
Overall, Austrian German is a standardized form of German with its unique history, pronunciation, and vocabulary. It is widely spoken in Austria, including in Salzburg, and plays a crucial role in the country's culture and communication.
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Austro-Bavarian dialects
The official language of Austria is German, and Austrian German is widely written. However, there are some differences in vocabulary and grammar between Austrian German and Germany's standard variation. Austro-Bavarian, also known as Bavarian, is a group of Upper German varieties spoken in the southeast of the German language area, including most of Austria. It is considered a dialect of German, but some classify it as a separate language. The International Organization for Standardization has assigned a unique ISO 639-3 language code (bar) to Bavarian, and UNESCO lists it in the Atlas of the World's Languages in Danger.
Austro-Bavarian is also used to refer to the dialect group that includes the Austro-Bavarian dialect and the Cimbrian, Hutterite German, and Mócheno dialects of Germany. The language has its origins in the Germanic tribe known as the Bavarii, who established a tribal duchy covering much of what is today Bavaria and parts of Austria in the early Middle Ages. The duchy was eventually subdued by Charlemagne, but the Bavarii gradually migrated down the Danube and into the Alps, to the areas where Austro-Bavarian dialects are spoken today.
In Germany, the language is spoken in Upper Bavaria, Lower Bavaria, and the Upper Palatinate districts in Bavaria. It is also spoken in southern Vogtland, Saxony, South Tyrol in Italy, and a handful of linguistic enclaves of Cimbrian and Carnic people in Northern Italy. In Switzerland, it is spoken in the village of Samnaun in Grisons, and in Sopron, Hungary, and its surroundings.
Austro-Bavarian differs noticeably from Standard German, and native speakers may find it difficult to adopt standard German pronunciation. However, educated Bavarians and Austrians can usually read, write, and understand Standard German. Standard German is the primary medium of education in Bavaria and Austria, and with the spread of universal education, exposure to Standard German has increased. As a result, many younger people, especially in cities and larger towns, speak Standard German with only a slight accent.
Salzburg, Austria, belongs to the region of Austro-Bavarian dialects, specifically Central Bavarian. While Austrian German is widely spoken in Salzburg by young and old alike, linguistics professors from the Universität Salzburg have observed a reduction in the number of dialect speakers in the city in recent years. This shift is believed to be due to media consumption rather than parental influence.
Although English is widely spoken in Salzburg, it is still beneficial to have some knowledge of German when visiting the region.
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Serbian speakers
Salzburg, the fourth-largest city in Austria, is home to a large Serbian community. The city has a population of about 156,852 people and is a popular tourist destination, known for its Baroque architecture and picturesque setting against the Austrian Alps.
Serbian is one of the many languages spoken in Salzburg, alongside German, Bosnian, and Romanian. While Austrian German is the predominant language in the region, the city's linguistic landscape is quite diverse due to its history and geographic position. Over the years, Salzburg has attracted people from various countries, including Serbia, who have contributed to the city's cultural and linguistic diversity.
The Serbian language is widely spoken within the Serbian community in Salzburg, allowing individuals to communicate and preserve their cultural heritage. It is likely that Serbian speakers in Salzburg also speak other languages, such as German or English, to facilitate communication with other residents and tourists.
While there is limited information specifically about Serbian speakers in Salzburg, it is worth noting that the city has a rich multilingual history. Salzburg has been influenced by various languages throughout its existence, reflecting the diverse backgrounds of its residents and visitors. The city has also been a haven for refugees and emigrants from Eastern Europe, contributing to its cultural and linguistic diversity.
Additionally, Salzburg is a cosmopolitan city with a large student population and a thriving tourism industry. As a result, English is widely spoken, and many locals are eager to practice their English with tourists. This multilingual environment provides Serbian speakers with opportunities to interact with people from various linguistic backgrounds and foster a sense of cultural exchange.
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Bosnian speakers
The official language of Austria is German, and the variety spoken in Salzburg is Austrian German, which differs from standard German in some vocabulary and grammar. Austrian German is part of the Austro-Bavarian dialects, specifically Central Bavarian.
Salzburg has a history of attracting refugees and emigrants from Eastern Europe, particularly during the Cold War and after the collapse of the Soviet Union. This has resulted in a diverse range of languages being spoken by minority groups in the country, including Croatian, Hungarian, Slovenian, Turkish, and Serbian.
While I could not find specific information about Bosnian speakers in Salzburg, it is possible that some Bosnian refugees and emigrants have settled in the city over the years, given its history as a haven for people from Eastern Europe. Additionally, Salzburg is known for its culinary treat, the "Bosna," which was created by a Bulgarian immigrant, Zanko Todoroff, in 1949. The name "Bosna" is a blend of the Bulgarian word "bosa," meaning "snack," and "Bosnia." This dish has become a cultural staple in Salzburg, enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
Bosnian, also referred to as Bosniak, is a standardized variety of the Serbo-Croatian pluricentric language mainly used by ethnic Bosniaks. It is one of the three official languages of Bosnia and Herzegovina, along with Croatian and Serbian, and it is mutually intelligible with these languages. Bosnian employs more Turkish, Persian, and Arabic loanwords, often referred to as "orientalisms," due to the influence of Islamic culture. The language uses both the Latin and Cyrillic alphabets, with Latin being used in everyday writing.
The modern Bosnian standard developed in the 1990s and 2000s, with the publication of "Pravopis bosanskog jezika" in 1996, officially introducing the language. The name "Bosnian language" is a subject of controversy for some Croats and Serbs, who refer to it as the "Bosniak" language. However, Bosniak linguists insist that the legitimate name is "Bosnian." The language has gained legitimacy and international recognition, with organizations like the United Nations, UNESCO, and translation agencies recognizing it.
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English speakers
Salzburg is a cosmopolitan city with a high volume of tourism and festivals, so English is widely spoken. The official language of Austria is German, and Austrian German differs from Germany's standard variation in some vocabulary and grammar points. However, English is very widely taught in Austrian schools, and Austria was ranked third on the 2023 EF English proficiency index.
While Austrians are happy to help out tourists, they do not like it when people expect them to converse in English and do not attempt to speak any German. It is considered courteous to have a basic knowledge of German, and Austrians will appreciate it if you make an attempt to learn some words in their language. They will patiently wait for you to finish your sentence in German and respond appropriately.
If you are planning to visit smaller towns outside of Salzburg, it is a good idea to learn some German phrases to get by. While English will still be prevalent in these areas, it will not be as widely spoken as in the bigger cities. For example, in Werfen, a town 50 minutes away from Salzburg by train, people do not speak English well.
Additionally, if you are planning to stay in Austria long-term, it is recommended to learn German. While it is possible to find entry-level jobs with no German language requirement, particularly in restaurants, tourism, and event work, learning German will open up more opportunities.
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Frequently asked questions
The official language of Austria is German, and this is the first language of most Austrians. However, the main dialect in Salzburg is Austro-Bavarian, which differs from standard German in vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation.
Yes, standard German is widely spoken in Salzburg, and it is used in the media, schools, and formal announcements. However, the local dialect, Austro-Bavarian, is also commonly used and differs from standard German.
The main dialect in Salzburg is Austro-Bavarian, which is a group of Upper German languages spoken across Austria, with some regional variations.
In addition to German and Austro-Bavarian, other languages spoken in Austria include Alemannic (Swiss German), Croatian, Hungarian, Slovenian, Serbian, Bosnian, Turkish, and Czech.
While English is not an official language in Austria, it is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas. Three-quarters of Austrians can converse in English, and many Austrians will reply in English when spoken to in German.
