Citizens of Germany?

Question

I would like to visit one day. I can speak the standard High German that is taught at the immersion school here.

I am convinced that the further into the rural I go, the more dialect and regional Germanic Languages are dominant.

Can I, should I venture into the countryside, or should I stay in the main cities.

I just want to make sure there is the minimal chance of misunderstandings, or "issues" that could develop from that.

Answer 1

LOL, I think you are worrying about nothing.

Most Germans will be very willing to practise their English on you. Also if you can't understand what somebody said in dialect, they will happily repeat in High German until you get it.

Plus, "misunderstandings" or "issues" become quite relative once you have been to villages in countries like Iran or China where you don't speak their language, the people there only speak very little English and you run the chance of trouble with the local police for being away from the tourist destinations. Compared to that, Germany is heaven!

Answer 2

Don't worry about it, go wherever you please. While there are some rather strong dialects that can be hard to understand even for German speakers (some varieties of Bavarian, Swabian...), everyone understands High German, so you want have any trouble making yourself understood.

And if you have trouble understanding the locals, they're usually willing to try to speak High German, and repeat themselves if needed, without becoming offended - they know they speak a dialect, after all, and that that can be difficult, especially for foreigners, so they won't blame you. Besides, with most dialects it's just a matter of getting used to them.

Enjoy your trip! :)

Answer 3

I'm originally from Bavaria.  Yes, a person who speaks high german would have trouble understanding what we are saying.  We have a very heavy dialect and use words that they don't use in the north.  But don't let that hold you back.  Everyone can speak high german no matter where they are.  Just politely say: "Es tut mir leid, aber ich verstehe Sie nicht.  Können Sie bitte Hochdeutsch sprechen?"  That's all.  Germans are really nice.   They won't get offended.

Unlike the previous avatar states, I'd avoid northern Germany.  They're kinda jerks there.  The south is  much nicer.

Good luck and have a great time.

Answer 4

Don´t worry everybody in Germany speakes more or less "Hochdeutsch" and English.  

I am Mexican and I only have problems to understand in Switzerland.

Answer 5

You are somewhat right.  There are lots of dialects in Germany and being a foreigner, you could have simple problems trying to understand, depending on where you are.  Ther south is traditionally harder to understand (Bavaria, Wuerttemberg) but even is Hessen and the Eifel the dialects are puzzling for a foreigner visiting.

Sure, you could stick to the main metropole, but don't worry too much about the possibility of not communicating 100%.  It's part of discovering the country.

Answer 6

I' just recommend you to stay in northern germany, you'll find lotsa dialects there, but I guess you wont understand the souther one's

Answer 7

either you speak german or you dont. it doesnt matter what dialect. german is german. and the main cities are not much different, language wise, then the little towns and villages. i grew up in germany and know so... try your best using the german knowledge u have and dont worry about not understanding the different parts in germany. the only place that could give u some trouble would be austria.. even germans have trouble understanding them. good luck