German is one of the most commonly spoken languages in Europe. The language is used by people in a variety of industries, particularly the automotive, manufacturing and engineering sectors. It is also a popular choice among students who want to learn another language. Having knowledge of this official language can be a huge benefit when travelling overseas, especially in Germany.
1. Germany
There are a number of different dialects of German that have developed over the centuries. These include Standard German and other regional forms. There are also a number of dependent regions that have German as an official language, such as the Autonomous Province of South Tyrol in Italy and the Opole Voivodeship and Silesian Voivodeship in Poland.
2. Austria
Austria is a country that is mostly German in language. It is also home to a number of different ethnic groups that speak other languages as their native tongues.
3. Switzerland
Switzerland is one of the most beautiful and scenic countries in Europe. It is a confederation made up of 26 cantons (like states) and has a huge amount of autonomy. Swiss German is spoken by more than 5.3 million people across the country, making it the dominant language in most regions. It is similar to Standard German, but there are some differences too. Because of the many different dialects, Swiss German differs widely from region to region. This is why you may hear some Swiss German if you visit Zurich or Basel, but not the same German as you would find in Austria or Germany.
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4. Belgium
Belgium, which is located in Northwestern Europe and borders the Netherlands, Germany, France and Luxembourg, is a small country that’s known for its unique history and cultural diversity. In addition to the three official languages, it’s home to a tiny German-speaking minority that is largely found in the eastern part of the province of Liege.
5. Luxembourg
German is not as widely spoken as Spanish or French, but it’s still one of the most important languages in Luxembourg. It’s spoken in a range of international institutions, including the European Commission, EU agencies and many more.
6. The Netherlands
The Netherlands, a country that shares a border with Germany, is one of the top places for German speakers to live. In fact, 71% of the population claims to speak German to a certain extent. The country is also known for its flat landscape of canals, tulip fields, and windmills. Its land was reclaimed from the sea and marshes in mediaeval times by building dikes around them.
7. Russia
Russia, too, is home to a number of German speakers. These people are descendants of mediaeval settlers or those who accepted an invitation from Russian Tsarina Catherine the Great in the eighteenth century to move to the country.
8. Other Parts of The World
South America is a large area in the western hemisphere that encompasses countries like Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana, Suriname, French Guiana and Brazil. It’s also the home of many languages that are rooted in Latin, including Spanish and Portuguese. In Africa, German is spoken in countries like Tanzania and Rwanda. It also is an official language in Namibia, originally a German colony.
Germany is home to the most German speakers in the world, but there are also pockets of German speakers around Europe. In countries like France, Poland, Italy, and the Czech Republic, there are small communities of people who speak German.