The Languages of Austria include
German, the official and most widely spoken language, and several minority languages.
German
German is the only nationally
official language, and the language spoken by the largest proportion of
Austrians. A number of dialects are spoken.
Austrian German is the catch-all term for German in Austria, which can differ from
Standard German to the many local vernaculars.
High Alemannic German speaking areas marked in yellow, including part of the Austrian state of Vorarlberg (Switzerland).
Alemannic
Alemannic dialects are mainly spoken in
Vorarlberg, and are quite divergent from Standard German. The
Alemannic spoken in Vorarlberg can be further divided into the High Alemannic variety.
Austro-Bavarian
The majority of Austrian German-speakers speak dialects belonging to the
Austro-Bavarian group, and there is little linguistic barrier between Austrians and those living in southern Germany.
Minority languages
A number of minority languages are spoken in Austria, some of which have official status.
Turkish
Turkish is the largest minority language, in a situation mirroring that of
Germany, spoken by some 2.3% of the population.
Serbian
Serbian is the second most spoken minority language, with usage by 2.2% of Austrians.
Croatian
Croatian, an official language in
Burgenland, is spoken by 1.6% of Austrians, and
Croatians are recognized as a minority and have enjoyed special rights following the
Austrian State Treaty (Staatsvertrag) of
1955.
Hungarian-speaking areas in Europe, including a portion of the Austrian state of Burgenland.
Hungarian
While little spoken today, Hungarian has traditionally held an important position in Austria (or, more correctly,
Austria-Hungary). Today, Hungarian is spoken by around 20,000 people (.05% of the Austrian population) in Burgenland.
Bosnian
The least spoken of Austria's minority languages, the
Bosnian language is spoken by some .04% of the Austrian population.
Slovene
Slovene, an official language in
Carinthia, is spoken by 0.3% of Austrians.
Carinthian Slovenes are recognized as a minority and have enjoyed special rights following the Austrian State Treaty (Staatsvertrag) of 1955.
European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages
Austria ratified the
European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages on
28 June 2001 for the following languages in respect of specific
Länder
