For the Language Geeks
Standard German vs. Standard Austrian
I love languages and I love the German dialects.
Since I moved back to Austria about 6 weeks ago, I’ve learned more differences between standard Austrian and standard German. My last stint in Austria was on the other side of the country in the far western state of Vorarlberg. The dialect there is Alemannic and more similar to Swiss German or Upper Swabian.
In the rest of Austria they speak a version of the Bavarian/Austrian language family.
Here are the latest differences I’ve learned, several as amusing as learning differences between British and American English, of which there are many.
Fenstertag
Public holidays here as in Germany are rarely if ever moved to a Friday or Monday as they are in the US. That means if say a holiday falls on a Thursday, many people will take the Friday off for an extra-long weekend.
In Germany, this is known as a Brückentag (bridge day), in Austria it is called a Fenstertag (a window day).
Schuhbänder
In Germany, shoe laces are generally known as Schnürsenkel. In Austria, they are called Schuhbänder.
Geld beheben
