Austrian German is based on what is known as High German, the local language of Germany; there are many similarities between the two, but Austrian German has evolved from the same basis as the dialects of Southern Germany and Switzerland. In the east, such as in Vienna, Austrian German becomes almost unrecognizable for many High German speakers due to extreme changes in the dialect and the usage of Austrian-specific phrases and words.
Generally, Austrian German is said to be softer than High German, with many of the harsher sounds being eradicated, such as the "ch" in "ich," opting instead for "i."
