In the broadest sense, language is a means of identification and self-identification of individuals and social systems (Bodi 1995: 17). In German-speaking countries this can be a controversial issue. Terminologically, the existence of a nation-state called Germany (in German Deutschland = German country) makes it difficult for other German-speaking societies to determine their own national and linguistic idiosyncrasy (Bodi 1995: 19). Through the use of Austrian German language participants not only identify as Austrians, but the common language and history also necessitates identification with other members of the entire German language community. To understand this complexity, the development of Austrian German as a standard variety of the German language is necessary.
In the course of this essay it will become clear that historical transitions and political aspects of nation-building are essential constituents of language development or -as Clyne points out- the development of Austrian German norms ‘is reflected in a pendulum swing between language planning for national identity and an acceptance of standardized German norms’ (Clyne 1992: 121). Therefore, theoretical, language-political and social-historical aspects of the development and current situation of Austrian German shall be investigated.
The complex situation that revolves around the German language demands the exploration of the concept of German as a pluricentric language, which will be dealt with in the second chapter. The third chapter is dedicated to the development of the Austrian standard variety with emphasise on social and political history. A special emphasis is placed on the concept of nation-building and the associated national language. Furthermore, in chapter four the development of Austrian German norms shall be considered in the light of Haugen’s process of standardisation. A part of this chapter is also dedicated to exploring the diglossic situation in Austria. Lastly, the essay also deals with the current situation of Austrian German and gives an example of how its general prestige can be raised. Finally, in a retrospective analysis of the paper, the research findings will be analysed and an outlook of the future development of Austrian German will be given in the concluding chapter six.
At a glance
- Grade: 1.0 (1.0 is the best grade)
- Applies Haugen’s standardisation model to the Austrian national variety
- Examines Austrian language use through Ferguson’s concept of diglossia
- Discusses the Österreichisches Wörterbuch as the official lexical code since 1951
- 18 sources in the bibliography
Table of Contents
1 Introduction
2 German as a Pluricentric Language
3 The Special Development of Austrian German
3.1 Development in the 18th Century
3.2 Development in the 19th Century
3.3 Development From the Beginning of the 20th Century Until WWII
3.4 Development After WWII
4 Process of Standardisation
4.1 Selection of Norm
4.2 Codification of Form
4.3 Elaboration of Function and Acceptance by the Community
5 Conclusion
Objectives and Themes
This essay examines how historical change, nation-building and language policy shaped Austrian German as a national standard variety. It asks how Austrian linguistic identity developed within the wider German-speaking community and uses theories of pluricentricity and standardisation to explore the relationship between language and nation.
- German as a pluricentric language
- Austrian national identity and political history
- Language development from the eighteenth century onwards
- Selection and codification of linguistic norms
- Standard language, dialect and diglossia
- The status and promotion of Austrian German
Excerpt from the Book
4.3 Elaboration of Function and Acceptance by the Community
Elaboration of function refers to the diffusion of the standard language. The aim is that the standard is used in the widest possible variety of functions and therefore should be spread into as many areas of life as possible. The acceptance by the community, also part of Haugen’s four stage process, is another important aspect because a standard must have a body of users (Haugen 1966: 249-252).
The extent to which the elaboration of function and the acceptance of the standard Austrian variety could be accomplished shall be displayed by investigating the phenomenon of diglossia, which seems to show clearly the difficulty of the situation. According to Ferguson, diglossia is a relatively stable language situation in which there is a high variety (H) and a low variety (L). The latter is used in everyday life for informal speech situations. The H variety, on the other hand, is a codified and super-ordinated literary language used only in official and formal domains and is acquired through institutes of education. In diglossia there is no repression of a low variety by a high variety, but there is a relatively stable balance between L and H (Ferguson 1959: 16). Seemingly, L and H are genetically related, meaning that they are variants of one and the same language, but structurally they distinguish very clearly; there is no continuum between the two variants so that speakers either use H or L. H is strictly codified and grammatically mostly more complex than L, thus structurally already predestined for written usage. Not only structural, but also social restraints hinder H to be applied in everyday discourse, since H is only considered acceptable in formal domains, while L is the firstly acquired language for the members of a diglossic speech community.
If this is how Ferguson intends to explain a diglossic situation, then it is difficult to refer to the Austrian German use as explicitly diglossic. The linguistic situation in Austria is characterised by a diverse and fluid continuum between dialect and standard. There is almost no purism, but a mixture of varieties as well as no distinctly perceptible linguistic stratification, but rather a diffuse and elusive one. It is hard to predict when and why which linguistic variant is chosen; it is not unusual to observe politicians who use dialect when speaking in the media, such as parents who speak dialect in their everyday speech, but talk to their children (only) in the standard language. This would disturb the balance between Ferguson’s H and L variant. Austrians tend to apply the high variety, which theoretically is restricted to formal domains, also in informal discourse, for example at home, while the low variety, which is supposed to be used only in ordinary everyday speech, is also applied in formal domains, as the example of a politician speaking dialect on television shows. Since Ferguson’s concept of diglossia is not fully satisfying Falkner’s (1998) theory of bilingualism shall be mentioned for his theory is better suited to the linguistic situation in Austria.
Chapter Summaries
Introduction: The essay introduces the relationship between language, identification and nation-building and outlines its historical and theoretical approach.
German as a Pluricentric Language: This chapter discusses Germany, Austria and Switzerland as centres of German and considers criteria for recognising a standard variety.
The Special Development of Austrian German: The chapter traces Austrian linguistic development from the eighteenth century through the post-war period, relating it to political change and national identity.
Process of Standardisation: Using Haugen’s framework, the author examines norm selection, codification, the functions of the standard and its acceptance, including debates about dialect and diglossia.
Conclusion: The author reflects on the historical and political forces shaping Austrian German and discusses its status, codification and promotion.
Keywords
Austrian German, language and nation, pluricentric language, national identity, language planning, standardisation, linguistic norms, codification, Austrian dictionary, dialect, diglossia, language policy, Haugen
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this work about?
It explores the relationship between language and nation in the historical development of Austrian German.
What are its central themes?
Its themes include national identity, German as a pluricentric language, language planning, standardisation and the relationship between dialect and standard language.
What is the primary objective of the essay?
The essay seeks to understand how historical and political developments, especially nation-building, influenced Austrian German and its linguistic norms.
What method does the author use?
The author synthesises linguistic and historical literature and applies Haugen’s model of standardisation to the Austrian national variety.
What does the main body cover?
It discusses the centres of the German language, Austrian linguistic history from the eighteenth century onwards, and the selection, codification and acceptance of Austrian norms.
Which keywords characterise the work?
Key terms include Austrian German, pluricentricity, national identity, standardisation, codification, dialect and diglossia.
How is Haugen’s model used?
The essay uses its stages of norm selection, codification, elaboration of function and community acceptance to structure an analysis of Austrian German.
What role does the Austrian dictionary play in the discussion?
The author discusses the Österreichisches Wörterbuch as the official codification of the Austrian lexicon and considers changes and debates surrounding its editions.
Why does the essay discuss diglossia?
It uses the concept to examine relationships between standard language and dialect in Austria and considers whether Ferguson’s model adequately describes their use.
- Quote paper
- Robert Stolt (Author), 2009, The Relationship between Language and Nation in the Development of Austrian German, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.hausarbeiten.de/document/145247
