German-speaking Countries - Official Status

Official Status

Official language Majority language Partially official
Germany
Austria
Switzerland
Liechtenstein
Belgium
Luxembourg		 Switzerland (besides French, Italian and Rumantsch)
Luxembourg (besides French and Luxembourgish)		 Denmark - recognized minority language in the former South Jutland County
South Tyrol in Italy
Poland - a minority language in the Upper Silesia
Czech Republic
Hungary (Danube Swabians)
Romania (Transylvania and Banat Swabians)
  • German is the country's only official language:
    • Germany
    • Austria
    • Liechtenstein
  • German is the majority language, and shares official status with other languages:
    • Luxembourg (besides French and Luxembourgish)
    • Switzerland (besides French, Italian and Romansh)
  • German is a minority language with official status:
    • Belgium (besides Dutch and French)
  • German language has official status only in part of the country/territory:
    • Italy (South Tyrol)
    • Poland. Polish part of Silesia, mainly Upper Silesia. See also: German minority in Poland
  • German language is recognized as a minority language:
    • Czech Republic
    • Hungary (Danube Swabians) and the bi-lingual city of Sopron
    • Romania (Transylvania and Banat Swabians)

Read more about this topic:  German-speaking Countries

Famous quotes containing the words official and/or status:

    “No sane local official who has hung up an empty stocking over the municipal fireplace, is going to shoot Santa Claus just before a hard Christmas.”
    —Alfred E. Smith (1873–1944)

    “The influx of women into paid work and her increased power raise a woman’s aspirations and hopes for equal treatment at home. Her lower wage and status at work and the threat of divorce reduce what she presses for and actually expects.”
    —Arlie Hochschild (20th century)