High German
Germany's official language
High German refers to the German dialects spoken in the central and southern highlands of Germany, which form the basis of standard written German.
The "high" refers to elevation, not prestige—these dialects developed in the mountainous regions, as opposed to Low German spoken in the northern lowlands.
Standard German, taught in schools and used in media throughout German-speaking countries, derives primarily from High German dialects.
Of a German state
- SwabianOf a German region
- HessianGerman soldier-for-hire, 1770s
- PalatinateGerman count's hereditary domain
- AlsatianCanine breed from Deutschland
Southeastern German state
- AustriaCentral European alpine republic
- SwitzerlandAlpine republic, perpetually neutral
- AlsaceNortheastern French region
- TyrolAustrian-Italian alpine region
Liechtenstein · Luxembourg · Central Europe · Rhine · Danube · Alps · Vienna · Zurich
Science of language sounds
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
- syntaxRules for arranging words
- grammarLanguage's structural rules
- inflectionWord form alteration
conjugation · declension · umlaut · ablaut · genitive · dative · accusative · nominative
Ashkenazi Jewish language
- Pennsylvania DutchGerman-descended American subculture
- AmishTraditional simple-living sect
Standard writing conventions
- spelling reformSystematic writing changes
- official languageState-sanctioned communication method
- GoetheGerman poet-dramatist, 1749-1832
- codificationOrganizing rules into system
Bavarian
Of a German state
- SwabianOf a German region
- HessianGerman soldier-for-hire, 1770s
- PalatinateGerman count's hereditary domain
Bavaria
Southeastern German state
- AustriaCentral European alpine republic
- SwitzerlandAlpine republic, perpetually neutral
- AlsaceNortheastern French region
Tyrol · Liechtenstein · Luxembourg · Central Europe · Rhine · Danube · Alps · Vienna · Zurich · Munich
phonology
Science of language sounds
- morphologyStudy of structural forms
- syntaxRules for arranging words
- grammarLanguage's structural rules
inflection · conjugation · declension · umlaut · ablaut · genitive · dative · accusative · nominative · subjunctive
Yiddish
Ashkenazi Jewish language
- Pennsylvania DutchGerman-descended American subculture
- AmishTraditional simple-living sect
orthography
Standard writing conventions
- spelling reformSystematic writing changes
- official languageState-sanctioned communication method
- GoetheGerman poet-dramatist, 1749-1832