Middle High German (MHG) is a historical stage of the German language that was spoken and written from around 1050 to 1350. It evolved from Old High German and laid the foundation for Modern German. MHG is characterized by significant changes in grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation, reflecting the cultural and social shifts of the time. During the MHG period, literature flourished, with notable works such as Nibelungenlied and the writings of poets like Walther von der Vogelweide. This era also saw the rise of regional dialects, which contributed to the diversity of the German language as it developed into its modern form.