German, Standard

A language of Germany

Deutsch

80,600,000 in Germany, all users. L1 users: 72,300,000 in Germany (2019). L2 users: 8,300,000 (2019). Total users in all countries: 134,624,440 (as L1: 75,572,140; as L2: 59,052,300).

Location

Widespread.

Language Maps

Austria

Belgium, Luxembourg and Netherlands

Czechia

Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden

Hungary

Language Status

1 (National). De facto national language.

Classification

Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German

Dialects

Major related varieties are Bavarian [bar], Swabian [swg], Alemannisch [gsw], Eastern Franconian [vmf], Hessisch, Palatinian, Rheinfränkisch, Westphalien [wep], Saxonian, Thuringian, Brandenburgisch, and Low Saxon [nds]. Many varieties are not mutually intelligible. Our present treatment is incomplete. Standard German is one High German variety, developed from the chancery of Saxony, gaining acceptance as the written standard in the 16th and 17th centuries. High German refers to dialects and languages in the upper Rhine region. Lexical similarity: 60% with English [eng], 29% with French [fra].

Typology

SVO; prepositions; noun head final; gender (masculine/feminine/neuter); definite and indefinite articles; case-marking (4 cases); verb affixes mark person, number; passives; tense; comparatives; 22 consonants, 22 vowels, 3 diphthongs; non-tonal; stress on first syllable of the root.

Language Use

Many also use English [eng]. A few also use French [fra].

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools. Fully developed. Bible: 1466–2016.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about German, Standard

Writing

Braille script [Brai]. Latin script [Latn], primary usage. Latin script, Fraktur variant [Latf], used until 1940. Runic script [Runr], no longer in use.

Other Comments

Based equally on East Upper German and East Middle German. Christian.

Also spoken in:

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Argentina

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

42,000 in Argentina (2018), based on nationality. Ethnic population: 3,500,000.

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Alemán, Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Australia

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

79,400 in Australia (2016 census).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Development

Taught as subject in many primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. German immigrants formed the second largest group of early settlers in Australia.

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Austria

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

182,000 in Austria (2017 Eurostat), based on nationality.

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Deutsch

Dialects

Kärntnerisch.

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1929, Constitution, Article 8), constitution reinstated 1945.

Language Development

Taught in all primary and secondary schools.

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Belarus

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

300,000 in Belarus (2020), L2 users.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Development

Taught as subject in secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Belgium

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

2,590,800 in Belgium, all users. L1 users: 50,800 in Belgium (2020 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 2,540,000 (2020).

Location

Liège province: Verviers municipality, Amel, Bnlingen, Bntchenbach, Burg-Reuland, Eupen, Kelmis, Lontzen, Raeren, and Sankt-Vith.

Alternate Names

Allemand, Deutsch, Duits

Language Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in German-speaking areas (1994, Constitution, Articles 2,4,30).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Dutch [nld], Limburgish [lim].

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Brazil

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

40,000 in Brazil (2020 Registro Nacional Migratório no Brasil), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Language Use

Used as L2 by Plautdietsch [pdt].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Bulgaria

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

557,000 in Bulgaria (2020), L2 users.

Alternate Names

Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Bulgarian [bul].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Cameroon

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

300,000 in Cameroon (2010 D. Bathe), L2 users.

Language Status

4 (Educational).

Language Development

Taught as subject in some secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Canada

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

384,000 in Canada (2016 census).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Allemand, Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Plautdietsch [pdt].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Chile

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

45,000 in Chile (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Location

Major cities.

Alternate Names

Alemán, Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Also use Spanish [spa].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Colombia

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

4,500 in Colombia (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Croatia

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

1,462,990 in Croatia, all users. L1 users: 2,990 in Croatia (2011 census). L2 users: 1,460,000 (European Commission 2006). Ethnic population: 2,970 (2011 census).

Location

Widespread.

Alternate Names

Deutsch, Njemački

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Croatian [hrv].

Language Development

Taught as subject in primary and secondary schools from grade 5.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Cyprus

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

23,090 in Cyprus, all users. L1 users: 1,290 in Cyprus (2013 UNSD). L2 users: 21,800 (2018 Eurostat).

Alternate Names

Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Greek [ell].

Language Development

Taught as subject in secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Czechia

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

1,624,100 in Czechia, all users. L1 users: 14,100 in Czechia (2011 census). L2 users: 1,610,000 (2020).

Location

Karlovy Vary and Ústí nad Labem regions; Erzgebirge mountain range.

Alternate Names

Deutsch, Němec

Language Status

5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2001, National Minority Rights Act No. 273, Article 2).

Language Use

Also use Czech [ces]. Used as L2 by Czech [ces].

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Denmark

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

2,777,800 in Denmark, all users. L1 users: 37,800 in Denmark (2020 Eurostat). L2 users: 2,740,000 (2020).

Location

South Denmark region: north Slesvig.

Alternate Names

Deutsch, Tysk

Language Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory language of provincial identity in Syddanmark region (1955, Danish-German Agreement).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Danish [dan].

Language Development

Taught as subject in secondary schools in grade2 7–9.

Other Comments

There are German schools.

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Ecuador

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

43,000 in Ecuador (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Location

Pichincha province: Quito.

Alternate Names

Alemán, Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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El Salvador

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

6,600 in El Salvador (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Estonia

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

129,400 in Estonia, all users. L1 users: 1,400 in Estonia (2018). L2 users: 128,000 (2018 Eurostat).

Alternate Names

Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Standard Estonian [ekk].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Finland

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

1,001,320 in Finland, all users. L1 users: 6,320 in Finland (2018 census). L2 users: 995,000 (2020).

Alternate Names

Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Finnish [fin].

Language Development

Taught as subject in some primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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France

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

4,000,000 in France (2020), L2 users.

Alternate Names

Allemand, Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Alsatian [gsw], French [fra].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Greece

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

545,400 in Greece, all users. L1 users: 9,400 in Greece (Leclerc 2020a), based on ethnicity. L2 users: 536,000 (2018).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Greek [ell].

Language Development

Taught as subject in all primary and secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Hungary

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

1,795,200 in Hungary, all users. L1 users: 35,200 in Hungary (2020 Eurostat). L2 users: 1,760,000 (2018). Ethnic population: 132,000 (2011 census).

Location

Baranya, Békés, Somogy, Tolna, Vas, Veszprém, and Zala counties.

Alternate Names

Deutsch, Német

Language Status

4 (Educational). Recognized language (1993, Minorities Act No. LXXVII).

Language Use

All also use Hungarian [hun].

Language Development

Taught as subject in some primary and secondary schools, from grade 8, but as early as grade 3 in some schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Germans in Hungary speak varieties other than standard German at home.

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Iceland

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

1,040 in Iceland (2008 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Ireland

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

155,460 in Ireland, all users. L1 users: 1,460 in Ireland (2016 census). L2 users: 154,000 (2018 Eurostat).

Alternate Names

Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by English [eng].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Israel

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

14,000 in Israel (Leclerc 2018a).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Italy

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

1,276,000 in Italy, all users. L1 users: 36,000 in Italy (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity. L2 users: 1,240,000 (2019 Eurostat).

Location

Trentino-Alto Adige region: Bolzano and South Tyrol provinces; Veneto region: Belluno province.

Alternate Names

Deutsch, Tedesco

Language Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Trentino-Alto Adige region (1999, Historical Minorities Protection Act, No. 482).

Language Use

Also use Friulian [fur]. Used as L2 by Cimbrian [cim], Ladin [lld].

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Kazakhstan

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

30,400 in Kazakhstan (2009 census). Ethnic population: 178,000 (2009 census).

Location

Akmola, East Kazakhstan, Karaganda, Kostanay, North Kazakhstan, and Pavlodar regions.

Alternate Names

Deutsch, Nemetskiy

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Development

Found in minority schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Kyrgyzstan

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

2,700 in Kyrgyzstan (2009 census). Ethnic population: 9,500 (2009 census).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Deutsch, Nemetskiy

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Latvia

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

214,790 in Latvia, all users. L1 users: 2,790 in Latvia (2020). L2 users: 212,000 (2018 Eurostat).

Alternate Names

Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Liechtenstein

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

1,300 in Liechtenstein (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Alternate Names

Deutsch

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1921, Constitution, Article 6).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Lithuania

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

386,530 in Lithuania, all users. L1 users: 530 in Lithuania (2014 UNSD). L2 users: 386,000 (2019). Ethnic population: 2,830 (2015 census).

Alternate Names

Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Luxembourg

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

443,000 in Luxembourg, all users. L1 users: 19,000 in Luxembourg (2019 World Factbook). L2 users: 424,000 (European Commission 2012).

Alternate Names

Allemand, Deutsch, Däitsch

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national working language (1984, Language Law of 24 February, Articles 2, 4).

Language Development

Taught in all primary and secondary schools. Taught in some tertiary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Malta

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

9,500 in Malta (2018 Eurostat), L2 users.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Mexico

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

13,000 in Mexico (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Language Use

Used as L2 by Plautdietsch [pdt].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Moldova

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

6,700 in Moldova (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Monaco

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

980 in Monaco (2019), based on nationality.

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Montenegro

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

14,000 in Montenegro (2011 census), L2 users.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Mozambique

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

4,000 in Mozambique (2017).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Namibia

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

39,300 in Namibia (2018).

Location

Khomas region: large Windhoek community; Omaruru, Otjiwarongo, and larger cities.

Alternate Names

Deutsch

Language Status

4 (Educational). Recognized language (2009, National Curriculum, Basic Education, Sections 4.1, 5.1, 5.5), mostly as a language medium in government schools.

Language Use

Radio broadcasts.

Language Development

Taught in primary schools through grade 3.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Netherlands

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

12,373,300 in Netherlands, all users. L1 users: 73,300 in Netherlands (2017 Eurostat), based on nationality. L2 users: 12,300,000 (2019).

Alternate Names

Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Dutch [nld], Limburgish [lim].

Language Development

Taught as subject in secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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New Zealand

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

36,600 in New Zealand (2013 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Nigeria

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

4,100 in Nigeria (2021 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Norway

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

30,200 in Norway (2021 census), based on nationality.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Language Development

Taught as subject in secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Paraguay

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

62,700 in Paraguay (2020).

Location

Alto Paraná, Boquerón, and Guairá departments; some settlements in the Chaco area.

Alternate Names

Alemán, Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Plautdietsch [pdt].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Poland

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

7,263,600 in Poland, all users. L1 users: 63,600 in Poland (2013 UNSD). L2 users: 7,200,000 (2019).

Location

Lower Silesia, Opole, and Silesia voivodships.

Alternate Names

Deutsch, Niemiec

Language Status

2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Opolskie and Silesian provinces (2005, Minorities Act of 2 January, Articles 2(2), 9).

Language Development

Taught as subject in secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Portugal

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

124,000 in Portugal, all users. L1 users: 20,000 in Portugal (2019 Eurostat). L2 users: 104,000 (2019 Eurostat).

Alternate Names

Deutsch

Language Status

4 (Educational).

Language Development

Taught as subject in secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Puerto Rico

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

1,300 in Puerto Rico (2020).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Romania

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

618,600 in Romania, all users. L1 users: 26,600 in Romania (2011 census). L2 users: 592,000 (2018 Eurostat). Ethnic population: 36,000 (2011 census).

Location

Caras-Severin and Satu Mare counties: Transylvania area.

Alternate Names

Deutsch, Germană

Language Status

5* (Dispersed). Statutory language of national identity (2001, Local Public Administration Law No. 215, Article 40(7), others).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Over 70% of the 500,000 1988 population emigrated to Germany (Johnstone 1993). People known as Saxons.

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Russian Federation

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

2,070,000 in Russian Federation (2010 census), all users. L1 users: 118,000 (2010). Ethnic population: 394,000 (2010 census).

Location

Kurgan province, Novosibirsk province, Omsk province, Saratov province, Tomsk province, Tyumen province, and Volgograd province.

Alternate Names

Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

All also use Russian [rus].

Language Development

Taught as subject in some secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Serbia

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

2,190 in Serbia (2013 UNSD).

Alternate Names

Nemački

Language Status

4 (Educational).

Language Development

Taught as subject in secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Slovakia

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

1,205,190 in Slovakia, all users. L1 users: 5,190 in Slovakia (2013 UNSD). L2 users: 1,200,000 (2019).

Location

Scattered.

Alternate Names

Deutsch, Nemec

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Also use Hungarian [hun]. Also use Slovak [slk].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Christian.

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Slovenia

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

879,200 in Slovenia, all users. L1 users: 5,200 in Slovenia (2019 Eurostat). L2 users: 874,000 (2019).

Alternate Names

Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed). Recognized language (2000, Slovenian Ratification, ECRML).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Slovene [slv].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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South Africa

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

15,000 in South Africa (2020 Joshua Project), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Spain

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

639,000 in Spain, all users. L1 users: 116,000 in Spain (2020 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 523,000 (2019 Eurostat).

Alternate Names

Alemán, Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Sweden

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

2,662,400 in Sweden, all users. L1 users: 32,400 in Sweden (2020 census), based on nationality. L2 users: 2,630,000 (2020).

Alternate Names

Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by Swedish [swe].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Switzerland

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

292,000 in Switzerland (2013 census).

Alternate Names

Allemand, Deutsch, Tedesco, Tudestg

Language Status

1 (National). Statutory national language (1999, Constitution, Article 70(1)), co-equal with Italian [ita] and French [fra] on the federal level.

Language Development

Taught in primary and secondary schools in Swiss German [gsw] and Romansch [roh] speaking areas; taught as subject from grade 4 elsewhere.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Thailand

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

11,100 in Thailand (2010 census).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Turkey

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

6,700 in Turkey (2019).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Language Use

Used as L2 by Turkish [tur].

Language Development

Taught as subject in some secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Turkmenistan

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

1,900 in Turkmenistan (Leclerc 2019b), based on ethnicity.

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Ukraine

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

4,060 in Ukraine (2001 census). Ethnic population: 33,300 (2001 census).

Alternate Names

Deutsch, Nimetsʹkyy

Language Status

Unestablished.

Language Use

Most have shifted to Russian [rus] or Ukrainian [ukr] (2001 census).

Language Development

Taught as subject in some primary and secondary schools from grade 5.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United Kingdom

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

4,067,200 in United Kingdom, all users. L1 users: 77,200 in United Kingdom (2011 census). L2 users: 3,990,000 (2018).

Alternate Names

Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Used as L2 by English [eng].

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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United States

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

1,060,000 in United States (2015 census).

Location

Texas: central.

Dialects

Texas German (Texasdeutsch).

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Language Use

Most also use English [eng]. Used as L2 by Hutterite German [geh], Plautdietsch [pdt].

Language Development

Taught as subject in a few secondary schools.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous. Texas German is spoken by descendants of German immigrants who arrived in the mid-19th century, settling in the Hill Country of central Texas. Only a few elderly speakers remain today.

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Uruguay

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

30,600 in Uruguay (2016). Ethnic population: 40,000 (2017).

Location

Montevideo and Paysandú departments.

Alternate Names

Alemán, Deutsch

Language Status

5* (Dispersed).

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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Uzbekistan

Language NameGerman, Standard

User Population

17,200 in Uzbekistan (2019).

Language Status

Unestablished.

Other Comments

Non-indigenous.

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German, Standard

Primary tabs

A language of Germany

Also spoken in:

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