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Die deutsche Sprache in Österreich und der Welt - Österreicher Dialekt vs Hochdeutsch

Well, that was exactly my case.

After 10 years of having some German lessons at school, at the university and in Goethe-Institut in Poland I thought it would be beneficial for my language skills to make a further step and 'dive' into German-speaking country.

I've chosen Innsbruck.

I was very excited to practice my German but after first conversation with the locals I was totally confused. What is that? It doesn't sound like German at all!

I'm not talking about the difference in words; even though there are many typical Austrian words (f.e. Semmel, Sackerl), people in Austria have no problem to understand German equivalents (OK, maybe they would love to hear 'their' words but since you are a foreigner you will be forgiven). The real problem is that Austrian dialect doesn't seem to be similar to Hochdeutsch.



However, there are some rules that can help you to understand it. According to local people, these rules are unwritten and there are many exceptions but still - it is better to know something than nothing.

Rule #1
"a" becomes "å" and is pronounced as "o"
Examples:
was? (what?) -> wås?
apfel (apple) -> åpfel

Rule #2
"r" becomes "a"
Examples:
wer? (who?) -> wea?
berg (mountain) -> beag
schmerz (pain) -> schmeaz

Rule #3
"-st" becomes "-scht"
Examples: 
lustig (funny) -> luschtig
weisst du (you know) -> weischt du

Rule #4
"k" becomes "kch"
Examples:
kraft (power) -> kchraft

Rule #5
hard consonants become soft
Examples:
wetter (weather) -> wedda
Innsbruck -> Innsbrugg

Rule #6
at the end of the words "e" seems to disappear
Examples:
trinken (to drink) -> trinkn
lassen (to let) -> låssn


Let's put it together and try with a whole sentence.

Hochdeutsch: Was möchtest du am abend essen?
Dialekt: Wås möchtescht du am åbnd essn?

Basically, if the sentence is short and simple, and assuming that you know the rules above and you have a good dictionary in your smartphone to check specific Austrian words, Austrian dialect is understandable. But don't expect too much from yourself. After all, it's hard even for German natives.



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