Low
German
Low German(used in all regions north of the Benrath
line) did not take part in the second vowel change in 7th and
8th century A.D. The second vowel change affected esp. German
consonants (plosives and occlusives) p, t and k which
were transformed to pf/f, ts/s and ch.
Low German often shares more characteristics with Dutch and English.
Below you can find some examples:
| English |
to sit |
to make |
apple |
water |
ape |
| German |
sitzen |
machen |
Apfel |
Wasser |
Affe |
| Low German (Platt) |
sitten |
maken |
Appel |
Water |
Aap |
'I know that' in Dutch, German and Berlin dialect:
| Dutch |
Dat weet ik. |
| German |
Das weiß ich. |
Low German
(Berlin dialect) |
Det wet ik. |
Main line or 'Weißwurst' equator
There is another isogloss in German usage, even
though it is by far less drastic than Benrath line. It is known
as Main line as it largely follows the Main river and is often referred
to as the 'Weißwurst' equator. (Weißwurst is a kind
of sausage typical for Bavaria)
Between the Main line and the Benrath line
Middle German is used, south of Main line in Bavaria and
Austria High German is prevalent. Both
usages (Middle and High German) have adopted the second vowel change
and share many characteristics.
High
German as used in Bavaria and Austria
is very melodious and pleasant to the ear. There are few grammar
variations. Some vocabulary (culinary mostly) is unique to Bavaria
and Austria.
When Austria entered the European Union it was a matter
of national pride to insist on a unique Austrian language being
recognized by EU officials. The attempt failed as the differences
between standard German in
Austria and the German used in Germany south of Benrath line are
largely negligable. The result of the ensuing discussion was a list
of some 80 words, most of them referring to food, cooking ingredients
and plants.
The differences between the national standards of German are often
overly exaggerated.
Learn German in an international German course in a major
Austrian or German city:
Bamberg | Berlin
| Cologne |
Dresden | Frankfurt
am Main | Freiburg
im Breisgau | Graz
| Hamburg |
Heidelberg
| Innsbruck
| Kitzbühel
| Klagenfurt
| Leipzig |
Linz | Munich
| Münster
| Regensburg
| Salzburg
| Stuttgart
| Vienna
|
