There is no language called Austrian, so what language is spoken in Austrian? The official language of the country is Austrian German, which differs from German as it is influenced by the Austro-Bavarian dialect and the Germans speak it.
Before jumping on the languages, first let us learn about the country!
Austria-Largest Country in Europe
Austria is the 9th largest country in Europe, and it has a population of about 8.5 million people. The Austrian linguistic mixture has been affected by the country’s ethnic composition.
It is also home to quite a few languages, with Austrian German being the most widely spoken official and one language of the country, as per its constitution.
The language obstacle is one of the challenging difficulties for foreigners moving to Austria. But what other languages are spoken in Austria? And why do some Austrians feel so strongly about guarding their mother tongue?
We are here to help you understand this culture, so let us learn about this!
The dominant language is spoken in Austrian.
Austrian generally speak three languages. The German language was derived from two dialects, Bavarian and Alemannic. The former originated in northern Switzerland and southern Germany; it is spoken by most Austrians.
Meanwhile, Bavarian was established by southern Germans living near and around Munich; it’s also commonly used across rural Austria. However, both dialects are mutually intelligible- the difference between their jargons is small.
Austrian German also comprises some vocabulary that differs from Standard German.
The official national languages of Austria.
In addition to German, three regional languages are accepted as the official minority language: Slovene, Croatian and Burgenland. This variety has shaped a society that is among Europe’s most vibrant when it comes to music, theater, literature, and other forms of cultural communication.
There are also several smaller linguistic groups, including Croats, Czechs, Turks, and Italians. The number of people who claim ease in at least one non-Austrian language is very high compared with other European countries.
German Dialect
Around 130 million people universally speak German as their native language. There are nine languages of German that are spoken in Austria. They are Bavarian, Alemannic, East Alpine, Central Austro-Bavarian, East Central Austro-Bavarian, South Austro-Bavarian, and Wienerisch.
While all these are mostly similar with Standard German, these also have unique characters. The most commonly spoken dialect is called Austrian Standard German, which is based on a blend of High Alemannic and Central Austro-Bavarian.
Austro-Bavarian Dialects
The Bavarian dialects or Austro-Bavarian dialects are a group of Upper German dialects of the Bavarian group. They are primarily spoken in East and North Tyrol, Tyrol, Styria, Vorarlberg, Vienna, southern Burgenland, Burgenland and Vienna.
Due to the physical isolation of these Alpine regions, many features of Bavarian have been preserved. When Austria became a part of Germany in 1938, standard German replaced Bavarian as an official language. In 1945, it was re-introduced as the official language but now as High German.
Alemannic Dialects
The Alemannic dialects are a group of Germanic dialects spoken in parts of Austria. They are thoroughly related to Low Alemannic and Swiss German and are sometimes referred to as Austrian German.
There are three main Alemannic languages spoken in Austria: Lower Alemannic, Central Alemannic, and Upper Alemannic. Upper Alemannic is spoken in the north western part of Austria, in the Vorarlberg region. It is also spoken in parts of Liechtenstein and Switzerland. The Alemannic dialects are a crucial part of Austrian culture.
Other major unofficial language are spoken in Austria
There are many languages spoken in Austrian, in tallying to the official language of German. These include several dialects of the German language, as well as other languages such as Serbian, English, Hungarian, Croatian, and Turkish.
Slovene
One of the most common languages spoken in Austria, other than German, is Slovene. Almost 2% of the population, mainly spoken in the southeastern region of the country.
The Slovene language is pronounced in Austria by a minority of the people. There are around 36000 Slovene speakers in Austria, representing around 0.5% of the population. Major Slovene speakers in Austria live in Carinthia, making up over 2% of the population.
The Slovene language is protected under the European Charter for minority or regional languages and one of the 24 official languages of the European Union.
Croatian
A language spoken in Austria is Croatian. This language is spoken by around 1% of the population, primarily in the southern region of the country. The language has been protected under the European Charter for Minority or regional languages and is recognized by the Austrian government.
There are some details why the Croatian language is essential in Austria. The first reason is that the Croatian language is a primary part of the country’s heritage.
Croatian language is one of the many languages carried to the country by migrants and Austria has a long history of immigration. The second reason is that the Croatian language is a vital part of the country’s culture.
Serbian
The Serbian language is spoken by a smaller group in Austria. There are an estimated 20000 Serbian speakers in Austria, most of whom live in Vienna. The Serbian language has a great history in Austria, dating back to the Middle Ages.
Today, Serbia is used in various contexts, from business to education and it is an official language in Austria. One of the essential contexts for the use of Serbia is education in Austria. Serbia is used in several secondary and primary schools and one of the languages of instruction at the University.
Hungarian
The Hungarian language has speakers living in Hungary and is spoken by around 13 million people worldwide. However, there are also important Hungarian-speaking populations in other countries, including Austria. In Austria, Hungarian is a certified minority language in four of the country’s nine states.
Hungarian is spoken in Austria because of the policies of the Austria government. The Austrian government has invested in programs to promote the use of minority languages and committed to protecting the rights of minority language speakers.
English
English is one of the most widely spoken and popular languages internationally. In Austria, English is the most frequently spoken foreign language. There are many reasons why English is so essential in Austria.
One reason why English is so essential in Austria is that it is the language of global business. Many Austrian companies do business with English speaking countries. Therefore, Austrian employees need to be able to communicate in English.
Another reason why English is vital in Austria is that it is the language of tourism. Austria is a prevalent tourist destination. Various tourists come from English-speaking countries. Therefore, Austrian tourism workers need to be able to connect in English.
Turkish
Turkish is the most broadly spoken minority language in Austria, with over 20000 speakers. It has been recognized as a minority language in the other Austrian states and it is an official language in the Austrian state of Vorarlberg.
But Turkish is not the national language of Austria. Turkish is also one of the most popular languages to learn in Austria due to many Turkish immigrants.
Austrian People
The Austria people are passionate and proud, with a rich culture and history. They are known for their love of art, music, warm hospitality and food. Three things make the Austrian people unique: their strong work ethic, their dedication to their families, and their love of nature.
Wrapping up
A rich heritage has contributed to the linguistic diversity that can be encountered in Austrian, as although Austro-Bavarian and Austrian German are the most widely represented languages, there are more minority groups throughout the country.
Austria is a mix of dialects and languages that have risen as a result of various political, economic, historical factors, and also follow the current trends of globalization with the growing importance of the English language.
These circumstances require Austrian language translation support, irrespective of whether your target audience is located in Austria or abroad. Connect with Acadestudio for accurate, precise, and affordable Austrian dialect translators. Our Austrian translators are native speakers with all the relevant skills that may take your business forward.
