Mittelhessisch

Mittelhessisch is a group of Central German dialects spoken in central Hesse, Germany. It is part of the Hessian dialect continuum and lies between Nordhessisch to the north and Südhessisch to the south. The region includes central Hesse towns such as Marburg, Gießen, Wetzlar, and the Lahn valley, along with surrounding rural areas. There is substantial regional variation, and the boundaries with neighboring dialects are gradual rather than sharp.

Linguistically, Mittelhessisch belongs to the Hessian sub-branch of Central German. It shares core features with other Hessian dialects but also shows distinctive local varieties. The continuum nature leads to notable micro-dialect differences between communities. Like other regional dialects, it has been shaped by contact with Standard German through schooling, media, and mobility, resulting in diglossia and ongoing language change.

In sociolinguistic terms, Mittelhessisch is mainly used in informal speech and local culture rather than in formal contexts. It remains an important marker of regional identity in central Hesse. There are written dialect texts, dictionaries, and linguistic studies; initiatives exist to document and preserve local speech, particularly in rural areas and among hobby linguists.