Ah, the sweet mystery of Swiss German! So many of us around the world long to speak it, yet few have the opportunity to get out there and learn it. What’s the best way to go about it? That’s what we’re here to find out!
Contents
Step 1: Get Familiar with Swiss German
Before you can truly begin your journey to learning Swiss German, you should first get to know the language itself. For starters, Swiss German, also known as Schwyzerdütsch or Schrift, is a dialect of the German language spoken in Switzerland. It is mostly mutually intelligible with German, meaning that speakers of either language can usually understand the other to some degree. It does contain some very unique characteristics, however, so it still pays to become familiar with them.
Listen to Swiss German
Most likely the best way to start is to immerse yourself in the language. This means taking in authentic sounds. Listen to Swiss German TV, radio, podcasts and videos. Don’t worry about understanding every single word; just focus on getting familiar with how the language sounds and the different accents of the various regions.
Read Swiss German
Now you should also get to know it in written form. Read Swiss German literature, newspapers, websites and other text you can find. You’ll be able to compare it to standard German and see how different the dialect actually is. Plus, it will give you a look at how particular words, idioms and sayings are used.
Step 2: Learn Swiss German
Now that you have a good idea of what the language looks and feels like, you need to actually learn it. There are plenty of ways to do this.
Take a Course
One of the best ways to learn a new language is to take a class, either online or in a language school. Many of these courses will focus specifically on the Swiss dialect, providing a thorough introduction to the language and an opportunity to practice it. Don’t forget to ask the teacher to use as much Swiss-German as possible when teaching the class.
Practice Regularly
Try to practice as often as you can. This can mean having conversations with locals, using Swiss-German dictionaries, and even taking part in Swiss-German comedy clubs. You can also find Swiss-German language exchange partners which will give you a chance to have conversations with native speakers. At the very least, make sure to practice a little bit each day.
Try Immersion Programs
If you really want to get serious about it, then why not join an immersion program? You can go to Switzerland and stay for a month or even longer. This will give you not only a great opportunity to learn Swiss-German in a classroom setting, but also to explore and experience the country itself.
Conclusion
Learning Swiss German can be a great and rewarding experience, but of course it is also a lot of hard work. Just remember to take it step by step, stay persistent, and always keep it fun. In no time you’ll soon be able to unravel the sweet mystery of Swiss German.
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