Language

Language and Dialects

Several dialects from three big dialect families are spoken:

• Bairisch (Bavarian) in the major part of the state, with regional variations (Nord- and Mittelbairisch, also Südbairisch close to the border with Tirol).
• Franconian, spoken by about 3 million people in the northern and western parts of the state.
• Alemannic, spoken by 2 million Swabians in the west.

In addition, there are small regions in which Südostthüringisch (South-east Thuringian) or Hessian vernaculars are spoken. Sudeten German vernaculars survived for a period of time only in communities in which Sudeten Germans (Sudetendeutsche) settled.

To facilitate communication between visitors to Bavaria and the local people, please find below our:

Basic course in Bavarian:

Grias de = greetings; hello - Pfiad de = goodbye - Vazäin = to tell - Ha = oops - s Christkindl = the Christ Child; Baby Jesus

a Maß = a Maß (1 liter) of beer - a Hoibe = half a liter of beer in a glass

Zoin bidsche = the bill please - Vui = much; a lot - Weida = continue; further, farther - Stangalgrod = bolt upright - Logisch = exactly

Semmi = bun - Brezn = Pretzel - Fleischpflanzl = hamburger; rissole - Hendl = chicken - Knödl = dumpling

Kia = cow(s) - Kaiwe = calf - Kaiddn = cold - Hitzn = heat

Basic course in Franconian:

Almächd = expression of surprise - Ebbes = a little; some; somewhat - Barduu = definitely; categorically - Bobbelsche = baby - s Christkindl = the Christ Child, Baby Jesus

a Schäufele = Franconian national dish (roasted shoulder of pork) - Gnärzla = cutting of a loaf of bread; Bodagn = potato - Ade = goodbye - Aamerla = bucket

Basic course in Alemannic:

a Diam = sometimes - Aalega = to put on (clothes, etc.) - Aftermetig = Tuesday - Agfrimt = ordered - Bilmes = head - Bockedifes; bad person

Broglar = show-off - Butzala = baby - s Christkindl = the Christ Child, Baby Jesus