Switzerland is one of the most fascinating European countries and its rich culture and traditions make it unique. But what’s even more interesting is that the Swiss people speak four different official languages! If you are visiting this amazing country, wondering what do Swiss people speak is a perfectly legitimate question.
Surprises in Switzerland: Four Official Languages
Would you believe it if I told you that four languages are spoken in Switzerland? Because it’s true! There are four official languages such as German, French, Italian and Romansh. Depending on the region you visit in Switzerland, you’ll hear people speaking one or more of these languages.
Let’s start with German, which is the most widely used language in Switzerland. About 60% of the Swiss citizens speak a type of German and it is the language of instruction in Swiss schools. German is commonly referred to as Swiss German, but this is not a valid language, as there is no official language called Swiss German. Someone speaking Swiss German would definitely be able to still communicate with people who speak the standard variant of German, even though some words might be different. So keep that in mind when visiting this country!
Next comes French, which is spoken by around 22% of Swiss population. Switzerland follows the same rules with French that they do with German, as there is no official language called Swiss French, even though some people use it. French-speaking people are mostly found in the western part of Switzerland, such as Geneva and Vaud, but there are also French-speaking enclaves located outside this area, in other parts of the country.
Italian is spoken mostly in the southern part of the country, between the Alps and the Italian border, and it’s also taught in schools. Swiss Italian is actually very close to the standard Italian, but again certain words might be a bit off.
Finally, there’s Romansh, which is the fourth official language of Switzerland, but it is used by less than 2% of Swiss citizens, mostly in the eastern part of the country. This language is a combination of Italian and German, so if you understand a bit of both languages you should be able to pick it up quite easily.
In Summary
To summarize, Swiss people speak four official languages: German, French, Italian and Romansh. Depending on the region of Switzerland you are visiting you’ll get the chance to learn and practice all these languages. So, before packing your bags for your Swiss trip, don’t forget to learn some words in German, French, Italian and Romansh! It’ll make your stay much more enjoyable.
In conclusion, when it comes to languages in Switzerland the saying ‘the more the merrier’ definitely applies. Although the Swiss population speaks mostly German, you can still find French, Italian and Romansh speakers in this fascinating country. When travelling to Switzerland, keep in mind the country’s four official languages and make the most out of your stay.