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Glite Dictionary
Middle High German

Middle High German

9.9
An older form of German spoken in southern Germany and nearby areas from about 1100 to 1500
  • noun
translation icon : alto alemán medio
  • The Nibelungenlied is a famous work composed in Middle High German.

Examples

  • The Middle High German period was crucial for the development of the German language.

  • The Nibelungenlied is a famous work composed in Middle High German.

  • Many epic poems were written in Middle High German during the medieval period.

  • Students of historical linguistics often study texts in Middle High German.

  • Many literary works were written in Middle High German during the medieval era.

  • Many epic poems were written in Middle High German during the medieval period.

  • Students of historical linguistics often study texts in Middle High German.

Synonyms

MHG
vsMiddle High German
  • Jargon
9.9

A form of German that people spoke from about 1050 to 1350

is the full name used instead of the short written form

Surface Forms

Middle High German singular
Middle High Germans plural

Morphology

middle + High + German

The phrase is compositionally built: 'middle' signals an intermediate historical stage and 'High German' denotes a variety of the German language, so a learner who knows the constituent words can infer this refers to an intermediate/historical form of German. Precise dating and the regional/dialectal nuance of 'High' require specialist knowledge, but the basic meaning is directly derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Middle High German comes from two simple ideas: Middle means 'in the middle' in time between older and modern German, and High refers to the 'high' lands (hills and mountains) in southern Germany where this form was spoken. So Middle High German means the form of German people spoke in those southern high areas about 1100 to 1500.