Language Choice Study.pdf

A Study of Language Choice in Ried im Innkreis, Austria" by David Kleinberg examines language choice in Ried im Innkreis, Austria. A statistical analysis of data collected via self-reporting questionnaires and participant observation shows that speakers in this community prefer to speak their local dialect rather than Standard German or colloquial varieties.

The study found that factors such as socioeconomic class do not play a significant role in language choice in Ried im Innkreis, unlike in larger cities in Austria. However, trends regarding gender and age are consistent with previous findings for Austria, with males reporting slightly more dialect use than females, and a decrease in dialect use among females during typical child-raising years and retirement.

School-aged speakers report using dialect more often than adults, while adult commuters use dialect more often than non-commuters in intimate situations. Social network strength is a significant factor, correlating positively with dialect use in situations where the speaker is within their own social network.

The study also found that speakers' attitudes towards dialect and Standard German can provide psychological explanations for their language choice. Positive attitudes towards the dialect, its speakers, and local loyalty are positively correlated with dialect use. Predictions for the future vitality of the local dialect are made based on current and historical demographic trends and respondents' attitudes.

The research was conducted with the support of the Österreichischer Austauschdienst, the Adalbart-Stifter-Institut in Linz, and the Landesschulrat for Upper Austria, among others. The study provides insights into language choice and dialect use in a small Austrian community, contributing to the field of sociolinguistics and variationist research in German-speaking countries.