Upper German - Definition and Overview

Upper German is a family of High German languages spoken primarily in southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Northern Italy.

Family tree

Upper German languages can be generally classified as Alemannic or Austro-Bavarian. However, there are several dialects or languages in these two groups besides the more standard versions of Alemannic and Austro-Bavarian.

• Alemannic
  • Swiss German (in Switzerland)
  • Alsatian (in Alsace, in France)
  • Swabian (mostly in Schwaben, in Germany)
  • Alemán Coloneiro (in Venezuela)
  • Walser (originally in the Wallis Canton of Switzerland)
• Austro-Bavarian (in Austria, South Tyrol and in Bavaria (Germany))
  • Northern Austro-Bavarian (in Upper Palatinate, Bavaria)
  • Central Austro-Bavarian (in Bavaria and Austria)
  • Southern Austro-Bavarian (in Austria and South Tyrol, Italy)
  • Cimbrian (northeastern Italy)
  • Mócheno (Trentino, in Italy)
  • Hutterite German (in Canada and the United States)

External link

Ethnologue report for Upper German (http://www.ethnologue.com/show_family.asp?subid=751)