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Why a satirical writer still struggles with Austria’s quirkiest rural dialects

He’s spent years decoding Upper Austria’s dialects, yet some words still stump him. Now, Freund turns his linguistic battles into laughter-filled readings—and a buffet of *Erdäpfelkäse*.

In this image there is a wooden table. On the table there are olives and fruits in the bowls....
In this image there is a wooden table. On the table there are olives and fruits in the bowls. Beside the bowls there are boards with text. In the background there is a wall. Near to the wall there are serving spoons. In the top left there are bottles. There are labels on the bottles. There is text on the labels.

Why a satirical writer still struggles with Austria’s quirkiest rural dialects

Author René Freund, a resident of southern Upper Austria, has been grappling with the region's dialects for years. Despite his long-standing fascination, he still can't fathom why locals say 'zwoa' instead of 'dialect' for the number two. Freund's satirical works centre around a Viennese native struggling with rural dialects, a theme that resonates with audiences.

Freund's recent challenge involved learning to say 'Pass me a spoonful of potato cheese' in dialect, correctly ending with 'uma' instead of the expected 'umi'. His readings, accompanied by an extravagant buffet featuring 'Erdäpfelkäse' or 'Erdöpfikas', a potato-based spread, were well-attended. After the events, locals shared their insights, helping Freund learn new words and improve his dialect pronunciation.

Unlike many authors, Freund doesn't limit his readings to Austria. He travels to small towns, giving readings in libraries and cultural association halls across rural Upper Austria. His website offers more information and event dates for fans of his work.

René Freund, a writer from southern Upper Austria, continues to explore and share the intricacies of local dialects through his satirical works. Despite his long-standing curiosity, he remains puzzled by certain dialectal quirks. Through his readings and interactions with locals, Freund continues to learn and entertain audiences across the region.

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