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Austria is a German-speaking country, with around 97% to 98% of its population speaking German, and just over 93% calling it their mother tongue. German is the official language of Austria, and the country has a distinct dialect of German with its own vocabulary and variations in grammar and pronunciation. The territory that is now Austria has been German-speaking since the emergence of the German language, which evolved from older Germanic languages during the Great Migration Period. Austria was historically settled by the Bavarii tribe, who also settled in Bavaria in southern Germany, and the Austrian German dialect is influenced by Austro-Bavarian dialects.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reason for Austrians speaking German | The territory that is now Austria has been German-speaking since the emergence of the German language |
| Austria was once settled by the Bavarii tribe, who also settled in Bavaria, Germany, and who spoke a proto-Germanic language | |
| Austria was once part of the Frankish Empire and the Kingdom of Bavaria | |
| Austria was once part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a political unification of different nations | |
| Austrian German dialects | Central Austro-Bavarian |
| Southern Austro-Bavarian | |
| Vorarlbergerisch | |
| Viennese | |
| Styrian | |
| Carinthian | |
| Percentage of Austrians who speak German as their mother tongue | 90-95% |
| 93%+ | |
| Percentage of Austrians who speak English | Just above 40% |
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What You'll Learn
Austria's history as part of the German-speaking world
The area that is now Austria has been inhabited since at least the Paleolithic period. Around 400 BC, it was inhabited by the Celts and then annexed by the Romans in the late 1st century BC. Christianization in the region began in the 4th and 5th centuries, during the late Roman period, followed by the arrival of numerous Germanic tribes during the Migration Period.
In the 6th century, the Germanic Baiuvarii (or ancient German Bavarians) established the Duchy of Bavaria, which was ruled by Francia of West Germanic Franks from 555 to 843 and included the March of Pannonia that would become Austria around 970. In 745, Carantania became a vassal to Bavaria, and was later incorporated into the Carolingian Empire, first as a tribal margravate under Slavic dukes, and then under Frankish-appointed noblemen following a failed rebellion. During the following centuries, Bavarian settlers moved down the Danube and up the Alps, a process through which Austria became a mostly German-speaking country.
In 976, Leopold of Babenberg became the margrave of the Ostmark, and in 996, the territory was first referred to as "Ostarrichi", a clear forerunner of the modern German word "Österreich" (Austria). From 976 to 1246, the Duchy of Austria was one of the extensive feudal possessions of the Babenberg family. In 1156, the Privilegium Minus elevated Austria to the status of a duchy, and in 1192, the Babenbergs also acquired the Duchy of Styria. The Latinized name "Austria" appeared in 12th-century writings during the time of Leopold III (1095-1136).
In 1278, Rudolph I of Germany defeated Ottokar II of Bohemia, who had assumed control of the duchies of Austria, Styria, and Carinthia following the death of Frederick II in 1246. From then until World War I, Austria's history was largely that of its ruling dynasty, the Habsburgs. In 1439, Frederick united the core lands and consolidated his power base, becoming the first Habsburg and the last German king to be crowned in Rome by the Pope. The dynasty was now on its way to becoming a world power.
In 1806, when Emperor Francis II of Austria dissolved the Holy Roman Empire, Austria became the Austrian Empire and was also part of the German Confederation until the Austro-Prussian War of 1866. In 1867, Austria formed a dual monarchy with Hungary: the Austro-Hungarian Empire. When this empire collapsed after World War I in 1918, Austria was reduced to its current frontiers, and briefly adopted the name, the Republic of German-Austria, in a bid for union with Germany. However, this union was forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles and the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, leading to the creation of the First Austrian Republic (1919-1933).
In 1938, Austria became part of Nazi Germany, but after World War II, Austria declared independence from Germany on April 27, 1945. Austrian national identity has been important in Austria since then, and nowadays Austrians do not consider themselves as Germans but as ethnic Austrians. German is the national official language and constitutes a lingua franca and de facto first language, but the variety of German used in Austria, Austrian German, is partially influenced by Austro-Bavarian, which differs greatly from Standard German.
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The influence of the Austro-Bavarian dialect
The Austro-Bavarian dialect, also known as Bavarian, is a group of Upper German varieties spoken in the southeast of the German language area, including the German state of Bavaria, most of Austria, and South Tyrol in Italy. It is derived from the name of the Germanic tribe known as the Bavarii, who settled in the area and established a tribal duchy covering much of what is now Bavaria and parts of Austria in the early Middle Ages. The tribe displaced and mingled with Slavic and Rhaeto-Romansch groups in the area, forming a culture that spoke a proto-Germanic language.
Austro-Bavarian is considered a dialect of German, but some sources classify it as a separate language due to its distinct features. It differs noticeably from Standard German in pronunciation and grammar, with differences in the realisation of certain phonemes and the use of different auxiliary verbs in the perfect tense. The Austro-Bavarian dialect group includes Central Bavarian, Southern Bavarian, and Northern Bavarian variants, with Central Austro-Bavarian spoken along the main rivers Isar and Danube in northern parts of Austrian states, and Southern Austro-Bavarian spoken in Tyrol, South Tyrol, Carinthia, Styria, and southern parts of Salzburg and Burgenland.
The Viennese dialect, a form of Austro-Bavarian spoken in Vienna, is considered quintessentially Austrian by many in Germany. It has distinct characteristics that set it apart from other dialects, and even within Vienna, minor variations can be found between different districts. The people of Graz, the capital of Styria, speak another dialect that is more easily understood by people from other parts of Austria than by other Styrians. The dialects of the deeper valleys of Tyrol are so distinct that even other Tyroleans may struggle to understand them.
Austro-Bavarian has influenced and been influenced by Standard German. While Austro-Bavarian dialects are not fully mutually intelligible with Northern German varieties, communication is easier in Bavaria, especially in rural areas where the Bavarian dialect is still predominant. The majority of Austro-Bavarian speakers also speak Standard German, and Standard German is often used in the mass media, although Bavarian is the preferred language in daily communication for many.
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The role of the Habsburg dynasty
The territory that is now Austria has been German-speaking since the emergence of the German language. German evolved from older Germanic languages during the Great Migration Period. The Bavarii, a tribe that settled in the area that is now Austria, spoke a proto-Germanic language. This tribe displaced and mingled with Slavic and Rhaeto-Romansch groups in the area, forming a culture that spoke a proto-Germanic language.
The Habsburg dynasty played a significant role in shaping the German language in Austria. The Habsburgs ruled over a diverse empire that encompassed a large number of divergent languages, including German, Italian, Romanian, several Slavonic languages, and Hungarian. German was the most widely spoken language in the empire, and it served as the lingua franca among the various ethnic groups. German was also the most important language of commerce and administration, and it was closely associated with the social and economic elites. The Habsburgs gained power as the Holy Roman Emperors and subjugated nearby territories, including Hungary, Bohemia, and parts of the Balkans, further spreading the influence of the German language.
During the era of Liberalism (1861-1879), German was regarded as the most important vehicle for expressing the overall idea of the state. The census-based electoral law of the time granted the vote to individuals from the grande bourgeoisie, finance or industry, or the nobility—groups that were primarily made up of German speakers. German speakers were also considered the group with the greatest loyalty to the Habsburg dynasty due to their predominance in the Austrian hereditary domains, which, along with Vienna, formed the core of the Habsburg crown lands.
The Habsburgs promoted German culture and language within their empire. Empress Maria Theresa and her son Joseph II introduced compulsory schooling in 1774 and implemented several administrative reforms in their multilingual Habsburg Empire. The Austrian German language (Österreichisches Deutsch) has its beginnings in these mid-18th-century reforms. Until 1918, the spoken standard in Austria was Schönbrunner Deutsch, a sociolect spoken by the imperial Habsburg family and the nobility of Austria-Hungary. This variety of Standard German was influenced by Viennese German and other Austro-Bavarian dialects spoken in eastern Austria.
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The impact of immigration on language diversification
Austria has a history of political independence from Germany and has never been ruled by any German power. However, the territory that is now Austria has been German-speaking since the evolution of the German language from older Germanic languages during the Great Migration period. The German language, in its various dialects, predates any modern polity. Austria was controlled by a tribe known as the Bavarii, who also settled in the area in Germany known as Bavaria. This tribe displaced and mingled with Slavic and Rhaeto-Romansch groups in the area, forming a culture that spoke a proto-Germanic language.
Austria has experienced an increase in immigration over the last few years, with a growing number of third-country nationals (TCNs) and EU citizens calling the country home. As of January 1, 2024, there were over 1.1 million TCNs (12.4% of the population) and 883,900 EU citizens (9.7%) residing in Austria. The Austrian government has implemented an action plan for migrant integration since 2010, focusing on labour market inclusion and German language acquisition, among other areas. The Integration Act of 2017 provides a framework for the long-term integration of migrants, emphasizing their active participation in Austrian society.
Immigration can influence language diversification in several ways. Firstly, it can lead to the preservation and transmission of heritage languages within immigrant communities. Immigrants may continue to speak their native languages within their communities, maintaining their linguistic diversity. Secondly, immigration can introduce new languages and dialects into a country, leading to language variation and change. This can occur through the adoption of loanwords or the development of new dialects that blend elements of multiple languages.
Additionally, immigration can impact the language of the host country by influencing its vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation. This influence may be more pronounced when there is a significant influx of immigrants or when immigrants hold positions of power and influence. Language diversification can also be driven by the desire for social distinction or the need to accommodate the linguistic needs of a diverse population.
In the context of Austria, immigration may contribute to the diversification of German by influencing its vocabulary and usage. Immigrants bring their linguistic backgrounds and influences, which can shape the German language over time. Additionally, the presence of multiple dialects in Austria, such as Central and Southern Austro-Bavarian, provides a foundation for further language variation and diversification.
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Austria's unique standard German dialect
Austrian German, or "Österreichisches Deutsch", is a dialect of Standard German with several unique features and influences from Southern German and
The history of Austrian German is tied to the introduction of compulsory schooling and administrative reforms in the multilingual Habsburg Empire during the mid-18th century. The written standard at the time, Oberdeutsche Schreibsprache (Upper German written language), was heavily influenced by the Bavarian and Alemannic dialects of Austria. Today, Austrian Standard German (ASG) or Standard Austrian German (Österreichisches Standarddeutsch) is considered the variety of Standard German used in formal situations and the media in Austria and South Tyrol.
In less formal settings, Austrians use Bavarian and Alemannic dialects, which are traditionally spoken but rarely written. The Bavarian dialect, spoken by most Austrians, is part of the High German group of dialects. Bavarians tend to soften, drop, or swallow final consonants, and tight vowel sounds often become broader. For example, the Alemannic dialect replaces the Standard German "gut" (good) with "guat" and "bisschen" (little bit) with "bitzle".
The Viennese dialect, for instance, is known to be more challenging for German speakers to understand. Even within Austria, there are regional variations, such as in the rural west of the Austrian Alps, where the dialect differs significantly from that of Vienna. These differences showcase the unique cultural elements that each dialect contributes to the German language.
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Frequently asked questions
The territory that is now Austria has been German-speaking since the emergence of the German language. The German language evolved from older Germanic languages during the Great Migration period. Austria was controlled by a tribe known as the Bavarii, who displaced and mingled with Slavic and Rhaeto-Romansch groups in the area, forming a culture that spoke a proto-Germanic language.
Austrian German is a variety of Standard German written and spoken in Austria and South Tyrol. It has its own vocabulary and grammar rules, and pronunciation varies across the country. Austrian German is influenced by the Austro-Bavarian dialect, which is spoken in Vienna and other parts of eastern Austria.
German is the official language of Austria, and nearly all Austrians speak it. Approximately 97-98% of people in Austria speak German, and a little over 93% call it their mother tongue. However, there are other minority languages spoken in Austria, including Turkish, Croatian, Serbian, Hungarian, and Slovene.
No, there is no single language called Austrian. Until 1918, the spoken standard in Austria was Schönbrunner Deutsch, a sociolect of Standard German influenced by Viennese German and other Austro-Bavarian dialects. Austrian German, or Österreichisches Deutsch, was standardised in 1951 with the publishing of the Österreichisches Wörterbuch.
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