middle high german: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Academic, Historical
Quick answer
What does “middle high german” mean?
A historical stage of the German language spoken approximately between 1050 and 1350 CE.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A historical stage of the German language spoken approximately between 1050 and 1350 CE.
Refers to the language, literature, and cultural products of this period, as well as the academic field studying them.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties: academic, historical, specialised.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both varieties, confined to academic/historical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “middle high german” in a Sentence
[Subject] is written in Middle High German.[Subject] dates from the Middle High German period.Scholars study [Object: Middle High German].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “middle high german” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- A Middle High German manuscript was discovered.
- His research focuses on Middle High German phonology.
American English
- She is an expert in Middle High German literature.
- The course covers Middle High German grammar.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Primary context. Used in linguistics, medieval studies, German studies, philology, and literary history.
Everyday
Extremely rare, only with specific reference to medieval history or literature.
Technical
Core term in historical linguistics and Germanic philology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “middle high german”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “middle high german”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “middle high german”
- Incorrect hyphenation: 'Middle-High-German' (should be open or spaced).
- Confusing it with 'Middle German' (a geographic term).
- Using it as an adjective for modern things (e.g., 'middle high german culture' for contemporary Austria/Switzerland).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not readily. While it is the direct ancestor of Modern German, it requires specialised study due to differences in vocabulary, grammar, and phonology, much like Chaucer's English for a modern English speaker.
Old High German (c. 750-1050) is the earlier stage, characterised by more complex inflections and less standardisation. Middle High German (c. 1050-1350) shows simplified grammar, the development of a literary standard, and is the language of famous epics and Minnesang poetry.
No, that is incorrect. 'Middle High German' is strictly a historical term. The modern German dialects from the central region are called 'Central German' or 'Mitteldeutsch' dialects.
Primary sources include medieval manuscripts of epic poetry (e.g., the Nibelungenlied, Parzival), courtly love songs (Minnesang), legal documents, and religious texts from the period.
A historical stage of the German language spoken approximately between 1050 and 1350 CE.
Middle high german is usually academic, historical in register.
Middle high german: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪdl̩ ˌhaɪ ˈdʒɜːmən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪdl̩ ˌhaɪ ˈdʒɝːmən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: The MIDDLE period (between Old and Modern) of HIGH (as in the southern, highland regions where it developed) GERMAN.
Conceptual Metaphor
A linguistic fossil layer; a bridge between ancient and modern forms.
Practice
Quiz
Middle High German is primarily studied within which academic discipline?