Old High German is a historical form of the German language that was spoken from around 500 to 1050 AD. It is one of the earliest recorded stages of the Germanic languages and is primarily known from religious texts, poetry, and legal documents. The language evolved from the West Germanic dialects and laid the foundation for modern German. The development of Old High German was influenced by various factors, including the migration of tribes and the spread of Christianity. It is characterized by distinct regional dialects, such as Alemannic and Franconian, which contributed to the diversity of the German language in later centuries.