Keep the dialect! Hannes Scheutz on the future of our language

Keep the dialect! Hannes Scheutz on the future of our language

The dialect, a form of expression with deep cultural roots, may face a challenging future. Hannes Scheutz, a renowned Germanist and dialect researcher at the University of Salzburg, expresses his concern about the possible extinction of regional dialects. "We are in the process of creating special zones in which the dialect is less and less present, which is remarkable," explains Scheutz. This division could not only mean the loss of cultural identity, but also have an impact on the understanding of the language of young people.

For Scheutz, it is crucial to educate children in their mother tongue, i.e. in dialect. He argues that understanding and speaking dialects can support the later skills in learning foreign languages. In an increasingly globalized world, speech is becoming increasingly important. If children understand the dialect early on, they can also record other languages better.

A look at the value of the dialect

The dialect often enjoys a lower prestige compared to the high language, says Scheutz. This is not justified. The use of a dialect is often interpreted as a sign of un formation or less intelligence, which hardly does justice to the cultural heritage and the roots of our language. "The dialect is not only a means of communication, but also a carrier of history, customs and regional identity," he says.

The commitment to live and promote dialects could become increasingly relevant in view of these challenges. Scheutz warns of the consequences of a nationwide disappearance of the dialects and appeals to parents, educators and society as a whole, to actively work for the preservation of language diversity.

These thoughts are reinforced by the ongoing developments in which dialects are less and less common in everyday life. The need to communicate in a uniform high language, especially in schools and on official occasions, means that less value is placed on the dialect. This use could expand the language boundaries, but at the same time also reduce the cultural depth that is anchored in dialects.

For more information on this topic, you can read the article on www.sn.at