The Swiss are a pretty multi-lingual bunch, but wondering what languages do Swiss speak can be tricky. After all, some like to cling to the German, French and Italian spoken in the three main languages spoken in Switzerland! But there’s more to the Swiss’s linguistic talents—turns out they’re quite adept at learning a thing or two when it comes to other languages. Read on and learn about what languages Swiss people speak and the cultural backgrounds of the linguistic differentiations!
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Three Main Languages of Switzerland
The three official languages of Switzerland are German, French and Italian, respectively, and it’s believed that they make up the vast majority of Swiss language usage. While some states may have more of one language than the other due to regional preferences, you will mostly likely find that the Swiss can speak a little bit of each language. Of course, the exception to this would be in the mountainous regions, where people can only speak their own native tongue.
Trans-border Variants of Language
There are some variants of these three official languages as well. For example, the Swiss living in the German-speaking regions of the country tend to use the Swiss German dialect, also known as Schwyzerdütsch. Furthermore, the Swiss who live near France may use a dialect of French that’s known as Swiss French and is sometimes called Romandy. Be aware, though, that Swiss French is a bit different from the French spoken in France.
Minor Languages of Swiss Culture
Aside from the three major languages, the Swiss also have some minor languages that they use in their day-to-day lives. For instance, the Rhaeto-Romanic language is spoken in the canton Grisons, and the Romansh language is used by several Swiss people in the Graubünden. It’s important to understand that the Swiss use these languages to express their heritage and cultural identity.
It’s also worth mentioning that Swiss German is not an official language, but it’s still spoken by many Swiss people. This is an example of a language that has evolved from the different dialects of German.
Learning a Language in Switzerland
If you’re ever in Switzerland, you might want to think about learning one of the official or minor languages for fun — and don’t worry — it doesn’t have to be a major commitment. Acquiring basic language skills in these languages is surprisingly easy, as English isn’t the mother tongue of many Swiss people. Therefore, it’s actually quite common to find locals who can speak more than one language, and they enjoy talking in the minor languages.
Learning any of the three official Swiss languages is also an excellent way to break down cultural barriers and understand the Swiss culture better!
The Swiss are extremely proud of their language, and the variety of languages spoken adds to the rich culture of the country. There are plenty of opportunities to learn any of the official or minority languages taught in the country, and the locals are always willing to help out! With the right knowledge and attitude, it won’t take long to impress the Swiss with the language skills you learned!