Damon Mcknight
Austria has a unique mixture of languages, with about 250 spoken throughout the country. German is the official language and the lingua franca, with almost all of Austria's population (98%) able to speak it. However, there are several other languages native to Austria, including Austro-Bavarian, which is the unofficial native language and is spoken by about 8.3 million people in Austria. The Alemannic dialect, which is similar to Swiss German, is spoken by about 300,000 people in Vorarlberg. There are also several minority languages spoken in Austria, including Hungarian, Slovenian, Croatian, Czech, Slovak, and Roma.
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What You'll Learn
German is the official language
Austrian German is influenced by Austro-Bavarian, which is the unofficial native language of Austria. Austro-Bavarian is a collection of dialects native to the region, with distinct branches spoken in the northern and southern parts of the country. Austro-Bavarian differs greatly from Standard German, making it difficult for German speakers from other regions to understand. It has no written orthography, and there is no single spelling for the language. However, there have been literary efforts, especially in poems, to depict the pronunciation in the spelling.
Alemannic, or Swiss German, is another dialect spoken in Austria, specifically in the western region of Vorarlberg. It is also spoken in parts of northern Switzerland and southern Alsace, France. This dialect is very difficult for most German speakers to understand.
In addition to German, several other languages are recognised as official languages in specific regions of Austria. These include Croatian in Burgenland, Slovene in Carinthia, and Hungarian in Burgenland and Carinthia. There are also several other minority languages spoken in Austria, including Turkish, Serbian, Czech, Slovak, and Romanian.
English is widely spoken in Austria as well, with around 70% of the population having some proficiency in the language. This is due to the strong emphasis on learning English in schools, with children receiving regular tuition from a young age.
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Austro-Bavarian is the main dialect
German is the national official language of Austria and acts as a lingua franca and de facto first language. However, Austro-Bavarian is the main dialect spoken in the country. Austro-Bavarian is a group of Upper German varieties spoken in the south-east of the German language area, including the German state of Bavaria, most of Austria, and South Tyrol in Italy. It is also spoken in Switzerland and Hungary.
Austro-Bavarian differs greatly from Standard German, making it difficult for German speakers from other regions to understand. It has no official orthography, but there have been literary efforts, especially in poems, to depict the sound of the pronunciation in the spelling. For example, the greeting phrase "Griaß God" ("may God greet you") is rarely used in Standard German. Austro-Bavarian dialects also differ from each other, and there are several variants, including Central Bavarian, Southern Bavarian, and Northern Bavarian.
In Austria, the north-eastern parts of the country, including the capital Vienna, speak Central Austro-Bavarian dialects, while the southern parts speak Southern Austro-Bavarian dialects. The Viennese dialect has characteristics that distinguish it from all other dialects, with minor variations found in different districts of the city. The Viennese dialect is classified as Central Austro-Bavarian.
Austro-Bavarian is considered a dialect by experts and most of its speakers, although some argue that it is a separate language due to its distinct differences from Standard German. Educated Bavarians and Austrians can usually understand, read, and write Standard German, but they may have little opportunity to speak it, especially in rural areas. Standard German is often the language of writing and the media in these regions and is referred to as "Schriftdeutsch" ("written German").
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Alemannic is the Vorarlberg dialect
The national official language of Austria is German, which constitutes a lingua franca and de facto first language. However, the variety of German used in Austria, Austrian German, is partially influenced by Austro-Bavarian, which is the main dialect outside Vorarlberg.
Alemannic, or Alemannish, is a group of High German dialects that are spoken by approximately ten million people in several countries, including Austria, where it is the main dialect in Vorarlberg. Vorarlberg uses a High Alemannic dialect, which is also spoken in parts of Switzerland and southern Alsace, France. To most German speakers, it is very difficult to understand. Alemannic derives its name from the ancient Germanic tribal confederation known as the Alemanni, which translates to "all men". The Alemanni were a tribal alliance that clashed with the Romans, first appearing in historical records in 213 AD.
Alemannic comprises a dialect continuum from the Highest Alemannic spoken in mountainous regions to Swabian in flatter northern areas, with the language becoming more similar to Standard German the further north one travels. The oldest known texts in Alemannic are brief Elder Futhark inscriptions from the sixth century. In the Old High German period, the first coherent texts in Alemannic were recorded in the St. Gall Abbey, including the eighth-century Paternoster.
In addition to German, several minority languages are spoken in Austria, some of which have official status. These include Hungarian, Croatian, Slovene, Slovak, Czech, and Roma. The Austrian dialect of German is also influenced by numerous other languages, including Czech, Hungarian, Italian, Yiddish, and South Slavic languages.
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Minority languages include Croatian, Hungarian and Slovenian
German is the national official language of Austria and is considered the lingua franca and de facto first language. However, Austria also recognizes several minority languages, including Croatian, Hungarian, and Slovenian.
Croatian
Austrian Croats, specifically Burgenland Croats, speak a dialect called Burgenland Croatian, which combines features from the Chakavian, Shtokavian, and Kajkavian dialects. This dialect is traditionally spoken in the Austrian state of Burgenland, where it has official recognition as a minority language. Burgenland Croatian includes phrases no longer used in standard Croatian, as well as influences from German and Hungarian. Burgenland Croats have enjoyed special rights since the signing of the Austrian State Treaty in 1955, which allowed them to use Croatian in education, the judiciary, and public administration.
Hungarian
Hungarian has historically held an important position in Austria due to historical ties between the two countries. Today, Hungarian is spoken by a small number of people in Burgenland, with around 1,000 speakers.
Slovenian
Slovenian is an official language in the Austrian state of Carinthia and is also spoken in Styria. According to the 2001 census, 12,686 Austrians used Slovene as their vernacular, and it is estimated that 0.3% of Austrians can speak Slovene. Carinthian Slovenes are recognized as a minority and have enjoyed special rights and affirmative action following the Austrian State Treaty of 1955.
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English is widely spoken
German is the national and official language of Austria. Austrian German is the predominant variety of German spoken in Austria and is partially influenced by Austro-Bavarian. Austrian German is considered a lingua franca and the de facto first language of the country. It is used in the media, schools, and formal announcements. However, English is also widely spoken in Austria, especially among the younger population.
English is the second most spoken language in Austria, with approximately 40% of the population having some proficiency in it. This percentage is comparable to the average English proficiency in other European countries. While German is the primary language of instruction in schools, English is also taught as a foreign language, with nearly everyone under the age of 60 having basic English skills.
The Austrian education system requires several years of English instruction, ensuring that most Austrians, especially younger individuals, can understand and converse in simple English. Austrians are known for their willingness to use English with foreigners, and they are often keen to practice their language skills. This can be advantageous for English speakers visiting or living in Austria, as it allows for easier communication and integration into local communities.
In addition to German and English, Austria is home to several other languages. Austro-Bavarian, the main dialect outside the western region of Vorarlberg, is widely spoken and has approximately 8.3 million speakers in Austria. The northeastern parts of Austria, including Vienna, speak Central Austro-Bavarian dialects, while the southern regions speak Southern Austro-Bavarian dialects.
Austria also recognizes several minority languages, including Hungarian, Slovenian, Burgenland-Croatian, Czech, Slovak, and Roma. These languages have official status in certain regions, such as Hungarian and Croatian in Burgenland and Slovenian in Carinthia. The recognition and preservation of these minority languages contribute to Austria's rich cultural and linguistic diversity.
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Frequently asked questions
There is no language called Austrian, but the official language of Austria is German.
Apart from German, there are several other languages spoken in Austria. These include Austro-Bavarian, Croatian, Hungarian, Turkish, and Slovenian.
No, German is not spoken in all parts of Austria. In some regions, people speak Alemannic, a dialect similar to Swiss German.
Yes, English is the second most spoken language in Austria. About 73% of the population speaks English.
The main language of Austria outside Vorarlberg is Austro-Bavarian.
