Pronunciation: [ˈə͡ʊld hˈa͡ɪ d͡ʒˈɜːmən] (IPA) 
The spelling of the phrase "Old High German" can be a bit tricky. In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /oʊld haɪ dʒɜrmən/. The "o" in "old" is pronounced like the "o" in "go" or "so," as opposed to the "o" in "solid." The "aɪ" in "high" is a diphthong that starts with the "ah" sound like in "father," and ends with the "ee" sound as in "bee." The "dʒ" in "German" sounds like the "j" in "jacket."
Old High German is a historical stage of the German language that was spoken during the Early Middle Ages, from the 6th to the 11th century. It primarily developed in the region that is now known as Germany. With its origin in the West Germanic dialects, Old High German represents the earliest documented form of the German language and is a predecessor to Middle High German, which followed it.
Old High German was influenced by the Franks and by Latin, resulting in a complex evolution. It was predominantly used in religious texts, legal documents, and poetry. The most significant work in this language is the "Hildebrandslied," a heroic poem. The vocabulary and grammar of Old High German differed significantly from the modern German language, featuring many unique aspects.
The phonology of Old High German preserved certain older Germanic phonemes, such as the sounds represented by "th" in English ("thorn" and "edel"), which have since disappeared in contemporary German. It also maintained the use of cases in its grammar, including nominative, accusative, dative, and genitive, with different forms for singular and plural.
Overall, Old High German is crucial for understanding the historical development of the German language and its roots. Through studying Old High German texts, linguists and historians gain valuable insights into the cultural and linguistic heritage of the German-speaking peoples during the Early Middle Ages.
