Lexical Variation and Change in the Bavarian, Franconian and Swabian Dialects of Bavaria: A Combined Real- and Apparent-Time Analysis

This study provides the first systematic combined real- and apparent-time analysis of onomasiological lexical variation and change in the Bavarian, Franconian, and Swabian dialects of Bavaria (Germany). Drawing on two large-scale indirect surveys—the Maurer questionnaires (collected in 1934), and the DaBay dialect app (2025–ongoing)—we examine five lexical concepts (ant, apple core, rooster, potato, and ladybug) using descriptive mapping and Generalised Additive Mixed Models (GAMMs). The results reveal three main patterns: (i) stability in long-established heteronyms (in apple core), (ii) real-time convergence toward Standard German (in ant, potato, and ladybug), and (iii) concept-specific areal realignments driven by competing dialect-internal and standard-influenced variants (in rooster). Dialect geography consistently conditions lexical choices, while social factors play a comparatively minor role. Together, the findings demonstrate that lexical variation and change in Bavaria is systematic, regionally differentiated, and empirically tractable through large-scale historical and contemporary survey data.