The standard–colloquial–dialect continuum

At the one end of the German standard–colloquial–dialect continuum is the standard language. The standard language is the supraregional variety codified in works such as the Duden grammar (Dudenredaktion 2005) and pronouncing dictionary (Mangold 2005). At the other end of the continuum are the dialects, the local or regional varieties. Between these two extremes is the colloquial language (Umgangssprache), which exhibits regional variation in pronunciation, grammar, and lexicon, but not to the degree found in the dialects.

Various terms are used in German to refer to the standard language; some common terms are Hochsprache, Schriftsprache, and Standardsprache. The non-technical term Hochdeutsch is also used to refer to the standard language. Virtually all native speakers interpret this term as synonymous with Hochsprache and are unaware of its technical sense. In its technical sense, Hochdeutsch means ‘High German’ and refers to those dialects that participated in the High German Consonant Shift (see the discussion in chapter 5, section 5.3.2).

The standard language is the variety that is typically described in grammar books and dictionaries, the variety that is used in school (in Germany) and taught to foreigners. Barbour and Stevenson label this variety “formal Standard German,” since it is the variety that represents the speech and writing of educated people in formal situations; it is comparable not to standard English, but to formal standard English (1990:135).

What is considered the norm in Standard German can differ significantly from common practice.