High German language

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High German language

Also known as: Hochdeutsch, Upper German language

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June 17, 2026

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High German, or Hochdeutsch, refers to the dialects spoken in the southern and central highlands of Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is part of the West Germanic language group, which also includes English, Dutch, and Frisian.123

The distinction between High German and Low German lies primarily in their sound systems, particularly the consonants. A significant historical development was the High German consonant shift, which occurred around the 6th century CE. This shift altered sounds like p, t, and k in specific positions, differentiating High German from other West Germanic languages.14

Old High German, spoken until around 1100, was a collection of dialects without a standardized literary form. During the Middle High German period, a standard language began to emerge, based on Upper German dialects. Modern standard High German is descended from these Middle High German dialects and serves as the official language for administration, education, literature, and media in German-speaking regions.421

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West Germanic languages
History
…been the increasing standardization of High German and its increasing acceptance as the supradialectal form of the language. In writing, it is almost the only form used (except for limited printings of dialect literature); in speech, it is the first or second language of virtually the entire population.
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…been the increasing standardization of High German and its increasing acceptance as the supradialectal form of the language. In writing, it is almost the only form used (except for limited printings of dialect literature); in speech, it is the first or second language of virtually the entire population.
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German language
…which belong to either the High German or Low German dialectal groups. The main difference between High and Low German is in the sound system, especially in the consonants. High German, the language of the southern highlands of Germany, is the official written language.
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…which belong to either the High German or Low German dialectal groups. The main difference between High and Low German is in the sound system, especially in the consonants. High German, the language of the southern highlands of Germany, is the official written language.
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English language
Vocabulary
The contribution of High German has been on a different level. In the 18th and 19th centuries it lay in technicalities of geology and mineralogy and in abstractions relating to literature, philosophy, and psychology. In the 20th century this contribution was sometimes indirect. Unclear and meaningful echoed German…
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The contribution of High German has been on a different level. In the 18th and 19th centuries it lay in technicalities of geology and mineralogy and in abstractions relating to literature, philosophy, and psychology. In the 20th century this contribution was sometimes indirect. Unclear and meaningful echoed German…
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Germany
Languages of Germany
Of the Upper German dialects, the Alemannic branch in the southwest is subdivided into Swabian, Low Alemannic, and High Alemannic. Swabian, the most widespread and still-ascending form, is spoken to the west and south of Stuttgart and as far east as Augsburg. Low Alemannic is spoken in…
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Of the Upper German dialects, the Alemannic branch in the southwest is subdivided into Swabian, Low Alemannic, and High Alemannic. Swabian, the most widespread and still-ascending form, is spoken to the west and south of Stuttgart and as far east as Augsburg. Low Alemannic is spoken in…
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Swiss German language
…often differ greatly from standard High German (e.g., gān “go” for standard High German gehen).
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…often differ greatly from standard High German (e.g., gān “go” for standard High German gehen).
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