Legendary Dialectologist Hubert Klausmann Honored with Baden-Württemberg's Top Award

Professor Dr. Hubert Klausmann, a leading expert in dialectology, has been honoured with Baden-Württemberg’s highest state award. The Staufer Medal in Gold was presented by Premier Winfried Kretschmann in recognition of his lifelong work. His research has focused on preserving and documenting the region’s unique linguistic heritage. Born and raised in Breisach am Rhein, Klausmann studied Romance and Germanic philology at the University of Freiburg. His academic career led him to the University of Tübingen, where he later became Professor of Folk Dialectology until his retirement.

His most notable achievement was leading the development of the *Spoken Language Atlas of Baden-Württemberg*. This project mapped the diverse dialects spoken across the state, ensuring their preservation for future generations. Beyond his home region, he also contributed to the *Vorarlberg Language Atlas* between 1980 and 2000. Klausmann’s expertise extends across Alemannic dialects in Baden-Württemberg, Vorarlberg, Liechtenstein, and Bavaria. He has also researched Franconian dialects in northern Baden-Württemberg. His work has made him the foremost authority on southwestern German linguistic traditions.

The Staufer Medal in Gold highlights Klausmann’s lasting impact on dialect research. His atlases and studies remain essential resources for linguists and historians. The award underscores the importance of safeguarding regional languages in an increasingly globalised world.