Sackerl and cockroach persist: Austriasms do not disappear

The Austrian language shows resilience against external pressures, according to new research published in the journal Languages. A team from the Austrian Academy of Sciences and the University of Vienna analyzed media usage in Austria over two decades, from 2001 to 2023, and found that typical Austrian expressions, known as Austriazismes, remain stable rather than disappearing. These include words such as “Semmel,” “Sackerl,” and “Rauchfangkehrer.” Despite pressure from Germany, these terms continue to appear frequently in Austrian media, challenging assumptions about linguistic erosion. The study examined more than 76 word groups, including both typical Austrian terms and their German equivalents. The researchers used the Austrian Media Corpus, which contains 51 million press articles with ten billion words. Their findings reveal that while some Austriazismes are less common, none have disappeared entirely. For example, “Rauchfangkehrer” and its female counterpart, “Rauchfangkehrerin,” remain highly prevalent, appearing with near-universal frequency since 2001. In western Austria, the term “Kaminkehrer” also persists, though it is less common than its Austrian variant. Other commonly used Austriazismes include “Jänner,” “Matura,” “Sackerl,” “Jause,” “Trafik,” and “Paradeiser.” While “Tomate” appears more often in Austrian media, it does not replace “Paradeiser.” The study highlights that even words with low frequencies have remained consistent over time, indicating that they are not being replaced or lost. This stability suggests that Austriazismes are not under threat despite ongoing cultural and political influences. Alexandra N. Lenz, a linguist at the University of Vienna and the Austrian Centre for Digital Humanities, noted that many expectations about the decline of Austriazismes were unfounded. She emphasized that the data showed no evidence of disappearance, only continuity. “We have not found any variant that has vanished,” she said. “Instead, we observe a general stability in usage patterns.” The study also revealed the complexity of identifying Austriazismes. Some terms are not universally recognized as Austrian, and others are regionally specific. Researchers estimate there could be between 7,000 and 8,000 Austriazismes depending on how they are defined. Lenz pointed out that the media landscape plays a role in maintaining these linguistic features. “The press seems to contribute to the stability of Austriazismes,” she explained. Language, according to Lenz, is not just a tool for communication but also a means of identity formation. “We produce language not only to convey information but also to position ourselves within society,” she said. “It helps us define our relationship with others and our place in the world.” This perspective underscores why the preservation of Austriazismes matters culturally and socially. The research adds to broader discussions about language change and regional dialects. It challenges the notion that external pressures, such as economic integration or media influence, necessarily lead to linguistic homogenization. Instead, it offers evidence that certain linguistic features can persist even amid modernization and globalization. The findings suggest that the Austrian language continues to evolve while retaining key elements of its distinct character.