What is the difference between Austrian-German and the style of German that is spoken in Germany? Can you reccommend any websites or books to help me learn Austrian German? Thanks.
2007-08-16 06:09:47 · 4 answers · asked by ? 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
Austrian German and German German is basically the same, only that austrian German has a strong accent to it.
There are some differences, mainly in slang. you would best be able to learn that while actively speaking with Austrian people.
So if you just learn German German for the beginning you will be just fine....
It's kind of like southern english and yankee english in the states. there are differences but basically its the same and people will still understand you
2007-08-16 06:38:03 · answer #1 · answered by sixxtwo42 4 · 2⤊ 6⤋
First, you must distinguish between dialect and standard language, because there are uncountable dialects throughout Austria. Austrian German differs even in grammar from the German German. For example in resting situations, the auxiliary verbs in the present and past perfect tense are different (e.g. "he has stood" Germany: "er HAT gestanden", Austria: "er IST gestanden"). The vocabulary has also some differences (Abitur/Matura, Sahne/Obers, Januar/Jänner asf.) Austrian German tend to be more nasal. If you have a good German dictionary, there are mentioned the differences in vocabulary between German, Austrian and Swiss German. There are also monolingual Austrian German dictionaries. You find them everywhere on the Internet (http://www.amazon.com/%C3%96sterreichisches-W%C3%B6rterbuch-Otto-Back/dp/3209031169/ref=sr_1_1/002-1399719-6045664?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1187520577&sr=8-1 ).
I recommend you the Wikipedia article http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Austrian_German . I know it's Wikipedia, but does it matter if it could help you? If you learn German German and you add those differences mentioned in this article you're already an Austrian... ;-)
2007-08-18 23:57:26 · answer #2 · answered by Lemmy Caution 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's almost entirely in the melody of the speech. Although there are words which are decidedly Austrian German (e.g. "Schlagobers" instead of "Schlagsahne" for whipped cream), the languages differ little on paper.
It's when you hear them spoken, and witness the body language that comes with it, that you'll notice the difference. Austrian German has a bit of a mannerism going, tends to sound a tad nasal, and the melody is almost reminiscent of neighbouring Italy (which is no surprise, as neighbourhood always results in a little bit of similarity as languages go).
There is a certain similarity between the sound of Austrian German and Bavarian German dialect, too.
2007-08-18 22:45:39 · answer #3 · answered by Tahini Classic 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Mostly pronunciation and word usage.
A good website and introduction to Viennese German is www.karanitsch.net/w6/vfa.htm --- it is written especially with Americans in mind. My Viennese friends were shocked and delighted when I came forth with a whole bunch of expressions which they use everyday and I'm sure they are still scratching their heads and wondering how I learned them!
2007-08-16 06:36:39 · answer #4 · answered by crowbird_52 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋