Austrian German and German: Unique Dialects Explained

Nestled between Germany, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, Austria is a key player in the German-speaking world. Austrian German boasts its own charm, featuring unique expressions, distinctive pronunciations, and grammatical variations that set it apart from Standard German.

In this exploration, we’ll delve into the unique features of Austrian German and its prominent dialect families. Additionally, we’ll uncover some distinctive words and phrases that make Austrian German truly special.

How different is Austrian German from German?

Austrian German and Standard German share a strong foundation, yet they exhibit some distinct differences. The publication of the Österreichisches Wörterbuch (Austrian Dictionary) in 1951 marked a significant milestone, as it established the official standards for Austria’s unique variant of the German language.

Standardized Austrian German remains the official language for communications across various sectors. It is utilized in government policies and announcements, mainstream media outlets, and the public education system, ensuring clarity and consistency in communication.

Speakers from Austria and Germany can usually communicate effectively with some effort, much like how British and American audiences appreciate each other’s films and television shows.

Regional Austrian German dialects and pronunciation

In everyday conversations, many Austrians use their own regional German dialects, which vary from standard Austrian German. This diversity can create challenges in communication, as some Austrians find it hard to comprehend dialects from different areas. For instance, a person from Vienna may have difficulty understanding the speech of Tyroleans, who reside on the opposite side of the country.

Bavarian

The majority of Austrians communicate using a Bavarian dialect, which belongs to the High German family of dialects. This fascinating linguistic group boasts around 12 million speakers globally, highlighting its widespread influence and cultural significance.

Bavarian speakers tend to soften, drop, or swallow final consonants. Tight vowel sounds often get broader in Bavarian.

Unlike Standard German, Bavarian dialects use double negatives such as des hob i no nia ned g’mocht (I have yet never not done that).

Alemannic

Alemannic dialects, spoken by around 10 million people, thrive in the Reutte District and Vorarlberg, located in western Austria near the borders of Liechtenstein and Switzerland. Similar to Bavarian, these dialects are a variant of Hochdeutsch (High German), showcasing the rich linguistic diversity of the region.

In Alemannic, the Standard German gut (good) becomes guat, and bitzle replaces bisschen (little bit). Other common phrases can also be different. For example:

In Standard German, the syllable “ei” is pronounced similarly to the English word “eye.” However, in western Austria, it takes on a different sound, resembling “oa” or “owe-uh.”

Tyrolean

Where Austria borders Italy’s South Tyrol region, Southern and South-Central Bavarian dialects are the most prominent.

Tyrolean accents uniquely enrich Standard German by introducing additional consonants. For instance, “gestern” (yesterday) is pronounced as “geschtern” or “ghesh-tern,” while “du bist” (you are) transforms into “du bissht.” Vowel sounds also undergo a fascinating shift; “musst” (must) is heard as “muascht,” pronounced “mooh-ahsht.” These distinctive pronunciations give Tyrolean German its charming character.

In western Austria, you’ll find vibrant communities of Tyrolean Swabians, who speak a dialect closely related to Alemannic. This connection highlights the rich linguistic tapestry of the region.

Viennese

The Viennese dialect, unique to the greater Vienna area, boasts distinct pronunciations and slang that reflect the city’s rich cultural heritage. However, this charming dialect is gradually diminishing. Locally, the city of Vienna is affectionately referred to as “Wean.”

Viennese, much like the dialects found in other eastern regions of Austria, primarily stems from the Bavarian dialect family. In this unique dialect, the vowel “ei” is often pronounced as “ah.” For instance, the Standard German phrase “ich weiß” (I know) becomes “i waß” or “ee vahs” in Viennese. Additionally, final consonants are frequently omitted, so “Schule” (school) is pronounced as “Schui” or “shoo-ee.”

Styrian

Nestled in southeastern Austria, the picturesque state of Styria shares a border with Slovenia and is home to around one million residents who communicate in the unique Steiermark (Styrian) dialect. Notably, this dialect transforms “ja” (yes) into “jou” (pronounced like “yoh” in English) and “Apfel” (apple) into “Oupfel.” Additionally, Styrians often use “Goulli” at the end of questions, akin to the Standard German expressions “nicht wahr” (isn’t it) or “oder” (right). One famous Styrian speaker is Arnold Schwarzenegger!

Austrian vs. German grammar

Depending on the dialect, Austrian German grammar can vary greatly from Standard German.

Personal pronouns

In Austria, personal pronouns differ from standard German often taught online. For instance, Austrians commonly use “i” instead of “ich” for “I,” “mia” instead of “wir” for “we,” and “de” in place of “sie” for “they.” This regional variation adds a unique flavor to the language!

Verbs

Even in the present tense, Austrian German verbs can be different. For example:

In Austria, a notable difference from Standard German is the preference for using “haben” (to have) instead of “sein” (to be) as a helping verb in the past perfect tense for certain actions. This is particularly common with motion verbs such as “fahren” (to drive) and “gehen” (to go). So, while a Standard German speaker would say “ich bin gefahren” (I drove), an Austrian would say “ich habe gefahren.”

Austrian German features several unique verbs that set it apart from Standard German. For instance, Austrians say “schauen” for “to see” instead of the Standard “sehen.” They use “hackeln” to mean “to work,” replacing the more commonly used “arbeiten,” and opt for “hernehmen” in lieu of “nehmen,” which means “to take.” These variations add a distinct flavor to the language!

Possession

In Standard German, possession is usually indicated by the genitive case. However, in Austria, people often express ownership differently, primarily by utilizing the dative case.

Diminutives

In Standard German, the suffix “-chen” is commonly added to nouns to convey a sense of smallness or endearment. For example, “Brötchen” translates to “bread roll,” and “Mädchen” means “girl.” This suffix not only denotes size but also adds a touch of affection, as seen in “Häschen,” which means “little bunny.”

In Austrian German, an -el or -l has the same diminutive effect. You’ll see this in words like Semmel (bread roll) and Seidl (small beer).

Austrian German vocabulary

Austrian German uses some different words or expressions than Standard German. Here are some common examples.

Everyday expressions and slang in Austrian German

• Backhendelfriedhof – potbelly

In Austria, “Backhendel” refers to the delicious dish of breaded fried chicken. Interestingly, the term “Friedhof” in Standard German translates to a cemetery or graveyard. Thus, one might whimsically say that an Austrian potbelly is akin to a place where countless servings of Backhendel enjoy their final resting place!

• Fadesse – boredom, ennui

This noun combines the French adjective fade (tasteless) with a French-style suffix.

• leiwand – cool, awesome

• zach – uncool, annoying, stressful

• Marie – money

This comes from the Maria Teresa Thaler, a silver bullion coin first minted in the 18th century.

• Reparaturseidl (curing drink) – the hair of the dog (hangover cure)

• Schmäh – jokes, wit, artistic fabrications

At turns self-deprecating and ironic, Schmäh is a very Viennese sense of humor.

• deppert/narrisch – crazy, foolish

Narrisch comes from the Narraenturm in Vienna. It’s where a “plumber of souls” or a Seelenklempner (psychiatrist) might have worked circa 1784.

• Gspusi – a lover or a love affair

Gspusi is a corruption of the Italian word sposo (spouse).

• das taugt mir – I like that; I’m interested in that

This expression uses the verb taugen (to be suitable). In other words, “that suits me.”

• die Oaschkortn ziagn – to draw the ass card

The term “ass card” might sound like a joke from a bad poker game, but its roots lie in the world of Fußball (soccer). Traditionally, referees would pull a red card from their back pants pocket to send a player off the field. Interestingly, today’s referees keep these notorious red cards in their front pockets instead. Clearly, the “ass card” is not a prize anyone would want!

Tips for learning Austrian German

If you’re eager to dive into Austrian German, there are plenty of resources available to help you. Start your journey with engaging videos from YouTube channels such as AustrianGerman Tutorial and Austrian Dialect Academy, which offer valuable insights and lessons.

For a more immersive experience, consider enrolling in online Austrian German classes. If you’re looking to hone your skills in a specific dialect, connecting with a conversation partner through a language exchange app can be a great way to practice speaking.

Collaborating one-on-one with a tutor from Vienna, Salzburg, or Innsbruck can provide you with valuable insights into the local language and culture. When searching for your ideal online tutor, think about the specific qualities that matter most to you. As the Austrians say, “Hüft’s nix schodt’s nix”—what doesn’t help doesn’t hurt. So, why not take the plunge and give it a try?