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Saturday, May 12, 2012

Don't You Have Any Standards?

It has come to my attention, being a German student in Austria, the the language changes when you cross the border - it can actually change from town to town in the mountainous regions - Austrian German is distinct from Germany German, and not just in the accent or slang terms. Similar to British English and American English (though the differences are not quite so dramatic), each country has its own language standard.  This means that Austrian Standard German differs from Germany Standard German in pronunciation, spelling and vocabulary, and to some degree grammar. Though I've heard one is older than the other (and I must admit Austrian German seems to me to use more old-fashioned terms), I think they're about equal in that regard.

The German language is overseen by a governing body, similar to the French language Académie (but not as strict). Konrad Duden was the first German grammarian to write down the rules of the language in the Duden Handbook in 1880 - still the dictionary of choice for many. Because of this very late standardization, there are lots and lots of regional differences in the German language.

Here are some notable ones I've picked up on:

Austrian                                                             German                                                  English

Aula                                                    Hörsaal                                                 auditorium
Bücherei                                              Bibliothek                                             library
Diele                                                   Vorzimmer                                            hallway
Eierspeisen                                          Rühreier                                                scrambled eggs
Erdapfel                                              Kartoffel                                                potato
Faschiertes                                          Hackfleisch                                           ground beef
Fisolen                                                Gartenböhnen                                       green beans
Frühjahr                                              Frühling                                                spring
Fußgeher                                             Fußgänger                                            pedestrian
Heuer                                                  dieses Jahr                                            this year
Jänner                                                  Januar                                                  January
Karfiol                                                 Blumenkohl                                          cauliflower
Kasten                                                 Schrank                                               wardrobe
Kiste                                                    Kasten                                                 box
Kohlsprossen                                       Rosenkohl                                            Brussels sprouts
Kren                                                    Meerrettisch                                         horseradish
Marillien                                               Aprikosen                                            apricots
Melanzani                                            Aubergine                                             eggplant
Paradeiser                                           Tomate                                                 tomato
Palatschinken                                      Pfannkuchen                                          pancakes
Rauchfang                                           Schornstein                                           chimney
 Schafblättern                                      Windpocken                                         chicken pox
Schale                                                 Schüssel                                                bowl
Schlagobers                                         Schlagsahne                                          whipped cream
Semmel                                                Brötchen                                               bun/hard roll
Sessel                                                  Stuhl                                                      chair
Stiege                                                  Treppe                                                   stairs
Topfen                                                Quark                                                    cream cheese

Any important words I've left out? Please post in the comments!

2 comments:

  1. Sack/Sackerl - Tüte - bag
    Karotten - Möhren - carrots
    Sandler - Penner - panhandler
    Pensionist - Rentner - pensioner
    Schwammerl - Pilze - mushrooms
    Tischler - Schreiner - carpenter

    & many more...

    Marillien -> Marillen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for the additions/corrections, Igor!

      Delete