The official language of Austria is German, however, the nation of Austria takes great pride in their variation of it. While there are many dialects within Austria, there is still a very concrete standard German that the Austrians utilize, Austrian Standard German (ASG). This standardized language is different in many ways from German Standard German (GSG, the official standard language of Germany). This multitude of dialects, along with ASG, contribute greatly to the sense of national identity found within Austrians. The aim of the following chapter is to delve into the history of ASG, as well as how and why Austrians use their standard version of German to help fuel their sense of national identity.
To first understand how the Austrian national …show more content…
Wodak is an excellent reminder that the “dynamic concept of identity is tied up in a complex dialectical relationship between sameness and difference” (27). At a certain level, this is common sense. For one to have a sense of identity, in any form, one must feel a sense of sameness within themselves while also experiencing a feeling of differentiation from others. When we look at a nation as being a single entity, in order for it to feel a sense of cultural or national identity, there must be clear relationship between various forms of sameness as well as differences. That is to say, the culture must feel unified by similarities, and these similarities must also be things that differentiate it from others, creating a form of unified uniqueness. Wodak goes on to describe national identity as “a complex of common or similar beliefs or opinions internalised in the course of socialisation” as well as common emotional attitudes and “common or similar behavioural dispositions, including inclusive, solidarity-oriented and exclusive, distinguishing dispositions and also, in many cases, linguistic dispositions” (28). It is the latter part of that statement which plays a key role in this chapter’s analysis on the relationship between ASG and the part it plays in Austrian national identity. The previous statements given by Wodak …show more content…
Germain, Austria was no longer able to be a part of the new Weimar Republic, and was named the “Republic of Austria” by the allied forces (“Treaty of St. Germain). However, many Austrians desired to become a part of Germany, so much so, they began calling themselves the “Second German State” and even declared German their national language (Wodak, et al. 51) During the early 1930s, many Austrian politicians tried to support the idea of an Austrian nation founded on Austrian ideals, such as Catholicism (compared to the German’s Protestantism) and attempted to unite Austria by reminding it of its former greatness during the Habsburg Empire. However, shortly after the start of World War 2, the Austrians got their wish and were annexed to Germany in the year
To first understand how the Austrian national …show more content…
Wodak is an excellent reminder that the “dynamic concept of identity is tied up in a complex dialectical relationship between sameness and difference” (27). At a certain level, this is common sense. For one to have a sense of identity, in any form, one must feel a sense of sameness within themselves while also experiencing a feeling of differentiation from others. When we look at a nation as being a single entity, in order for it to feel a sense of cultural or national identity, there must be clear relationship between various forms of sameness as well as differences. That is to say, the culture must feel unified by similarities, and these similarities must also be things that differentiate it from others, creating a form of unified uniqueness. Wodak goes on to describe national identity as “a complex of common or similar beliefs or opinions internalised in the course of socialisation” as well as common emotional attitudes and “common or similar behavioural dispositions, including inclusive, solidarity-oriented and exclusive, distinguishing dispositions and also, in many cases, linguistic dispositions” (28). It is the latter part of that statement which plays a key role in this chapter’s analysis on the relationship between ASG and the part it plays in Austrian national identity. The previous statements given by Wodak …show more content…
Germain, Austria was no longer able to be a part of the new Weimar Republic, and was named the “Republic of Austria” by the allied forces (“Treaty of St. Germain). However, many Austrians desired to become a part of Germany, so much so, they began calling themselves the “Second German State” and even declared German their national language (Wodak, et al. 51) During the early 1930s, many Austrian politicians tried to support the idea of an Austrian nation founded on Austrian ideals, such as Catholicism (compared to the German’s Protestantism) and attempted to unite Austria by reminding it of its former greatness during the Habsburg Empire. However, shortly after the start of World War 2, the Austrians got their wish and were annexed to Germany in the year