Austrianlanguage

Austrian German, also referred to as Österreichisches Deutsch, is the variety of the German language used in Austria. It encompasses the standard form employed in education, media, government, and formal communication, together with a wide range of regional dialects and colloquial speech.

Standard Austrian German (the formal variety) shares the core grammar and most vocabulary with other Standard German varieties, but it features distinctive lexicon, pronunciation patterns, and stylistic norms. It differs from the German spoken in Germany in everyday terms and expressions. Common exemplars include the use of Jänner for January, Jause for a snack, Semmerl for a bread roll, and Parterre for the ground floor.

Regional dialects form a substantial part of Austria's spoken language. Viennese German is prominent in the capital; other well-known varieties include Tyrolean, Carinthian, and Styria dialects. Many Austrians switch between a local dialect in informal settings and Standard Austrian German in official contexts. Dialects generally remain mutually intelligible with German, though some features can be strongly marked and regionally specific.

Orthography and standardization: Austrian German uses the same broad standard German writing system as other German-speaking countries, with local preferences reflected in media and education. The country participates in pan-German orthographic reforms, and schools teach Standard Austrian German as the basis for literacy.

Language policy and minority languages: German is the official language of Austria. Recognized minority languages include Slovenian and Croatian in specific regions of Carinthia and Burgenland, with Hungarian historical presence in parts of Burgenland. Austrian Sign Language is used in public life and education to varying degrees. Government services typically use Standard Austrian German.