high german: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Academic, Technical, Historical
Quick answer
What does “high german” mean?
The standard form of the German language, based historically on Central and Upper German dialects.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The standard form of the German language, based historically on Central and Upper German dialects.
1) The group of West Germanic dialects spoken in central and southern Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and other areas. 2) The standard literary and official language of Germany, Austria, and much of Switzerland.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both refer to the same linguistic concept.
Connotations
Academic/linguistic term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in general discourse but standard in linguistics contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “high german” in a Sentence
High German (noun phrase)the High German (of something)adjective + High German (e.g., Swiss High German)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “high german” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The text was translated into High German for the official record.
American English
- The manuscript was later high-Germanized by a scribe from the south.
adverb
British English
- The document was composed High German style.
American English
- He wrote the proclamation High German, as was customary.
adjective
British English
- He is an expert in High German philology.
American English
- She gave a lecture on High German literature.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in companies dealing with language services or education.
Academic
Common in linguistics, history, and German studies departments.
Everyday
Very rare; most English speakers would simply say 'German'.
Technical
Standard term in historical linguistics and Germanic philology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “high german”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “high german”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “high german”
- Using 'High German' to mean 'complex or sophisticated German' (a false friend based on the literal meaning of 'high').
- Confusing it with 'High Dutch' (an archaic term for German).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In modern contexts, often yes, especially when contrasting with 'Low German'. In technical linguistics, it specifies the standard language and its related dialects.
It originates from the geographical regions where it developed – the central highlands and Alpine areas of the German-speaking lands, as opposed to the low-lying northern plains.
They typically say 'Hochdeutsch', which means 'High German' and is the standard term for the standard language. In English, we usually just say 'German'.
Old High German refers to the earliest recorded stage of the language (c. 750-1050 AD), while Modern High German is the current standard language, which began to develop in the late Middle Ages.
The standard form of the German language, based historically on Central and Upper German dialects.
High german is usually academic, technical, historical in register.
High german: in British English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈdʒɜː.mən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌhaɪ ˈdʒɝː.mən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None specific to this term.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'High' as in 'Highlands' – the German spoken in the higher, southern regions of the German-speaking area.
Conceptual Metaphor
LANGUAGE AS A GEOGRAPHICAL ENTITY (High vs. Low).
Practice
Quiz
What does 'High German' primarily refer to?