German

Exploring the German language

German is a West Germanic language spoken by around 80 million native speakers and over 130 million total speakers worldwide. It is the most spoken native language in the European Union and one of the top four most learned languages globally.

German is the official or co-official language of Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Belgium and South Tyrol in Italy. It is also a recognised minority or heritage language in several countries, including Poland, Denmark, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary. Beyond Europe, significant German-speaking communities thrive across the Americas.

At Wolfestone, we provide translation and interpreting across all dialects of German, including Swiss German and Austrian German, ensuring that your content resonates with the right audience.

German has played a pivotal role in the development of science, philosophy, theology and technology, remaining the second most used language in scientific publishing and the third most widely used language online. German-speaking countries also rank among the world’s top for publishing, producing one-tenth of all books worldwide.

Why German matters for global business and trade

Germany is Europe’s largest economy and the third-largest exporter globally, with leading industries in vehicles, machinery, pharmaceuticals, technology and chemicals. It accounts for nearly a quarter of the Eurozone economy and is home to world-renowned financial centres, manufacturers and Mittelstand SMEs — many of which are hidden champions in their sectors.

For organisations seeking to expand across Europe and beyond, German translation is essential. Whether you’re negotiating legal frameworks, localising technical documentation, or launching multilingual marketing campaigns, effective German language services are the foundation of successful international engagement.

As one of the world’s largest economy, Germany represent a significant opportunity for UK businesses to grow, expand and innovate.

According to the Department for Business & Trade, the UK’s exports to Germany totalled £60.8 billion for the four quarters of 2023, making the European country the UK’s 2^nd largest export market.

Austrian German

Austrian German is the standard variety of German used in Austria and South Tyrol. It carries the highest prestige locally, as it is the form used in education, government, media and other formal contexts.

Austrian German is standardised through the Österreichisches Wörterbuch, first published in 1951, and differs from German Standard German primarily in vocabulary, pronunciation and certain grammatical nuances.

In everyday life, Austrians also use Bavarian and Alemannic dialects, though these are far less common in writing.

For businesses, this means that translation into Austrian German requires more than simply using German Standard German, it involves an understanding of Austrian-specific terminology, cultural conventions and audience expectations.

Austria is a hub for finance, technology, energy and manufacturing, with Vienna recognised as an important European centre for diplomacy and international organisations. The country has strong trade connections across the EU and Central and Eastern Europe, making Austrian German translation vital for companies operating in regulated industries, cross-border commerce, and international law.

Swiss German

Swiss German refers to the family of Alemannic dialects spoken across the German-speaking regions of Switzerland and neighbouring areas in Northern Italy and Liechtenstein. Unlike in most other countries, these dialects are not confined to informal use; they are spoken widely across business, education and daily life.

It is important to distinguish Swiss German dialects from Swiss Standard German, the written and formal variety used in administration, media and publishing. Effective communication in Switzerland often requires sensitivity to both forms: dialect in spoken settings and Swiss Standard German in written and formal contexts.

Switzerland is one of the world’s most competitive economies, home to global leaders in finance, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, precision engineering and technology.

Zurich, Basel and Geneva are major centres for banking, biotech and international diplomacy. With four national languages — including French and Italian — linguistic precision is crucial.