The Relationship between Language and Nation in the Development of Austrian German

Mehr zum Buch

Language serves as a crucial means of identification for individuals and social systems, particularly in German-speaking regions where national identity can be contentious. The existence of Germany as a nation-state complicates the self-identification of other German-speaking societies, such as Austria. This essay explores how speakers of Austrian German express their national identity while also feeling a connection to the broader German-speaking community. It emphasizes the importance of understanding Austrian German's development as a distinct standard variety within the German language.