The German language is a West Germanic language primarily spoken in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is the most widely spoken native language in the European Union and has several dialects, including Bavarian and Swabian. German uses the Latin alphabet and has unique characters like ä, ö, and ü. It is known for its compound words, which combine multiple words into one, creating precise meanings. The language has a rich literary tradition, with famous authors like Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Friedrich Schiller contributing to its cultural heritage.