What is Austrian Standard German in Austria?

It is the national form of standard German used in Austria. It has its own recognized words, pronunciations and ways of expressing things.

Are dialect and standard language opposites in Austria?

No. Depending on the situation, many people use both forms and switch fluently between them. Dialect often creates regional closeness, while standard language can be easier to understand across regions.

What role do minority languages play in Austria?

Historically established minority languages are part of the cultural heritage and present-day life of certain regions and communities. They are used to varying degrees in families, culture, education, the media or public contexts.

Is Austrian Sign Language in Austria merely a visible form of German?

No. Austrian Sign Language is an independent natural language. It has its own grammar and a distinctive culture of the deaf community.

Language in Austria

Language in Austria primarily means Austrian German, but it also includes many dialects, recognized minority languages, sign language and languages brought by migration. People speak differently depending on region, family and situation. Communication works best when standard language, dialect and multilingualism are understood as appropriate tools.

Tip

Please kindly ask for standard language or an explanation if you do not understand something. Collect new Austrian words together with an example sentence instead of merely memorizing them. Use your other languages as a strength and practise specifically for the situations that matter to you in everyday life.

byAnna&Lukas

German is Austria’s central official and everyday language. Austrian Standard German (österreichisches Standarddeutsch) has its own words, pronunciations and linguistic habits; it is not an incorrect form of German. Typical Austrian words are especially common in food, school, administration and everyday life. Terms such as Jänner, Sackerl and Marille may be used with different frequency from region to region. Dialects, often called regional speech varieties, differ considerably by region. Many belong to the Bavarian dialect area, while Alemannic forms are widespread in the far west. People often switch between dialect, colloquial language and standard language. This switch depends on conversation partners, place, occupation, school and the desired level of comprehensibility. Austria has historically established minority languages, including Slovenian, Croatian, Hungarian, Czech, Slovak and Romani. Their visibility and use differ depending on the region and community. Austrian Sign Language (Österreichische Gebärdensprache) is an independent language with its own grammar. It is not merely spoken German represented with the hands. Migration has brought many additional languages into use. Multilingualism can strengthen family relationships, learning, work and cultural exchange. Language can create belonging, but it can also exclude. Very rapid dialect speech, unnecessarily difficult administrative terms or disparaging remarks about accents make equal participation more difficult. Good communication does not always require perfect grammar. Speaking slowly, using clear sentences, asking questions, translating and using visual aids can be more important.