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Generally, the later development of the West Germanic language can be divided in two distinct lines of descent: Upper German, spoken in Central and Southern Germany, and Low German, spoken in Northern Germany. "Low" and "Upper" are geographic terms, referring to the lowlands of Northern Germany and the more mountainous areas of Southern Germany, respectively.  

Generally, the later development of the West Germanic language can be divided in two distinct lines of descent: Upper German, spoken in Central and Southern Germany, and Low German, spoken in Northern Germany. "Low" and "Upper" are geographic terms, referring to the lowlands of Northern Germany and the more mountainous areas of Southern Germany, respectively.  

The term "High German" refers to the standardized version of German that derives mostly from Upper German dialects. It evolved through Old High German (c. 200-1000 AD), Middle High German (c. 1000-1500 AD), Early New High German (c. 1500-1700) and finally to the present New High German. Low German went through a similar development, starting with Old Saxon and similar languages, through Middle Low German into the modern Low German, but was superseded as standard language in North Germany when High German was accepted as official language in Prussia. Due to the influence of Prussia as political power, and later Hamburg as media center, a the a clear North German pronunciation has been adopted as standard pronunciation in television and radio.

The term "High German" refers to the standardized version of German that derives mostly from Upper German dialects. It evolved through Old High German (c. 200-1000 AD), Middle High German (c. 1000-1500 AD), Early New High German (c. 1500-1700) and finally to the present New High German. Low German went through a similar development, starting with Old Saxon and similar languages, through Middle Low German into the modern Low German, but was superseded as standard language in North Germany when High German was accepted as official language in Prussia. Due to the influence of Prussia as political power, and later Hamburg as media center, a North German pronunciation has been adopted as standard pronunciation in television and radio.

New High German is what most people consider as modern German, although Low German is also still spoken extensively as a dialect in Northern Germany.

New High German is what most people consider as modern German, although Low German is also still spoken extensively as a dialect in Northern Germany.