The exact number of German dialects is difficult to pinpoint because they exist on a spectrum rather than in strict divisions. However, linguists generally categorize them into three broad groups:
Low German (Niederdeutsch/Plattdeutsch): Spoken in northern Germany and parts of the Netherlands. It has more in common with Dutch than with Standard German.
Central German (Mitteldeutsch): Includes dialects like Hessian, Thuringian, and Saxon, spoken in central Germany.
Upper German (Oberdeutsch): Found in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, including Bavarian, Swabian, and Alemannic dialects.
Within these groups, there are over 250 individual German dialects, each with unique vocabulary, pronunciation, and grammar. Despite efforts to standardize the language, many of these dialects continue to thrive in local communities.
