 (1).jpg "Austrian Accents in the Russian Language: Loanwords, Calques, and Phraseology")
Austrian Accents in the Russian Language: Loanwords, Calques, and Phraseology
The Russian language is rich in borrowings from German, especially since the 18th century, when Germany was a source of technology, bureaucracy, science, and the military for Russia. However, not all of these borrowings came from Prussia or Saxony — some originated in Austria, meaning they entered Russian specifically through the Austrian variety of German, which is closely tied to Viennese culture and the southern German dialects.
From Viennese Cuisine to the Russian Table
Some words entered Russian thanks to gastronomy. Classic examples are schnitzel and strudel, typical dishes of Viennese cuisine. Although these words are formally German, it was Austrian cuisine that made them popular — first in Central Europe, and later in Russia. Culinary borrowings highlight not only the influence of the language, but also Vienna’s cultural allure as a fashionable and refined European center.
Another interesting example is the word shlag (from Schlagobers — Viennese whipped cream). In Russian recipes and in cafés with an Austrian flair, one sometimes encounters the expression “со шлагом” (“with shlag”) — this is no longer just a borrowing, but a stylistic marker referring to the Viennese tradition of serving coffee and desserts.
Music and Dance: From Vienna with Love
The word waltz — from the Austrian Walzer
— entered the Russian language via the French valse, but the dance itself originates in Austria. This is an example of cultural influence in which language goes hand in hand with lifestyle. To “waltz” in a ballroom meant following the Austrian fashion of the early 19th century.
Infrastructure and Everyday Life
In everyday life, there are also borrowings that came specifically through the Austrian variety of German. For example, shlagbaum (barrier gate) was a term actively used in the Austrian administrative system, especially at the empire’s borders. The word literally means “strike tree,” i.e., a bar or beam.
Some researchers note that words such as galstuk(tie) (from Halstuch — literally “a cloth tied around the neck”), buterbrod (sandwich), shlyapa (hat), paket (packet/bag), and others have Austrian roots or usage features that influenced their meaning in Russian.
The influence of Austrian on the Russian language is not as direct as that of French or English, but it exists through borrowings from the German language as a whole — and the Austrian dialect in particular.
Why Does It Matter to Distinguish Them?
Austrian German is not just an accent. It is a distinct cultural tradition, with its own unique intonation, terminology, manner of expression, and style of communication. Even bureaucratic language in Austria had a more elaborate, ornate form than in Germany. Therefore, when we talk about borrowings in Russian, it is important to distinguish whether they reflect a strict German influence or a softer, more cultural Viennese touch.
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