Page "Standard German" Paragraph 7

The variation of the standard German varieties must not be confused with the variation of the local German dialects.

Even though the standard German varieties are to a certain degree influenced by the local dialects, they are very distinct.

All varieties of standard German are based on the common tradition of the written German language, whereas the local dialects have their own historical roots that go further back than the unification of the written language and in the case of Low German belong to a different language entirely.