We all love Switzerland, with its beautiful landscapes, delicious food and extraordinary culture, so it is no wonder Swiss is one of the most requested languages in our growing international population. But, the big question is: “What language do Swiss people really speak?”
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Swiss Speak: Languages of the Helvetian Confederates
The official language of Switzerland is German, one of the four national languages spoken in the country. This language is spoken all over the country, although with different dialects, mainly depending on which canton (state) is visited. There are also three other official minority languages: French, Italian and Romansh.
However, the huge majority of Swiss people speak an abundant amount of dialects, variations of the four national languages and even dialects of its own. They are particularly proud of the Swiss German dialect, or Schwyzerdütsch, despite it sounding more like an odd combination of Italian, French and German than a single language.
With Their Own Amazing Vocabulary
Swiss German is full of distinct words and expressions of all kinds. For example, a snоwbаll is called a Schneebal, while ‘you are my sunshine’ translates into ‘Du bisch me Sunshine’. Then, ‘pocket’, or Tasche in German, it is called ‘Tüechli’ in Swiss German. In addition, there are many cultural expressions, mainly related to pastoral and rural life, which are very specific and haven’t been adopted in any other language.
Plus Local Idiomatic Formulas
Swiss German not only includes words, but also idiomatic expressions and phrases. For example, the proverb «Wenn zwei ubeenand schlächen, schlächt der Dritte dazwische» is the equivalent of the English proverb «When two fight each other, the third profits». Plus, you cannot forget about nonsense phrases to fill in dialogue or to express joy such as «Azügu!» and «Heidi-Hoi!» which translates to, respectively, «Hooray!» and «Hey!»
Dialogue A Little? Maybe?
If one is interested in Swiss culture, learning some Swiss German words and expressions is a must, as it gives you the chance to chat like a local. There are even online courses teaching basic Swiss German to foreigners, so no more excuses to keep you ”blessed in ignorance”, as we Swiss folks would say.
So, next time you decide to visit Switzerland, don’t worry about not speaking any Swiss language, as you can apparently still get away with it. However, at least make sure you can mix up some funny phrases, both in English and Swiss German. Who knows: you may find yourself taking orders from customers and talking to locals in Swiss German like a true local!
Swiss language is thus a true part of Switzerland’s culture, and an interesting point for those interested in getting in touch with the Helvetian culture. Learning a few words and expressions beforehand can always give you an extra insight when visiting a new place and people, and making most of your experience.