August 30, 2010

Schwizerdütsch - Schweizer Hochdeutsch

In the very Southwest of the Germanic language region the Alemanic languages are spoken. Mainly in big parts of Switzerland, but also im Fürstentum Liechtenstein, the Austrian federal state Vorarlberg, the German federal state Baden-Württemberg, from some people still in the French L'Alsace, the Bavarian administrative region of Schwaben, and from some Walser Communities in Italy.

Among this group are idioms and dialects, some extended to a larger area, some significant for a town or village. Now Switzerland has developed a special use with their dialects. They are used commonly for conversation on any level. While in Germany, Austria and Liechtenstein people tend to change to Standard German whenever they leave their circle of family and friends - if they still do manage to speak a regional idiom at all - and you can guess their origin perhaps only by a slight accent, it is perfectly normal to use Schwizerdütsch in every day life when you live in Switzerland even in official and business matters.

For writing they have developed a Swiss Standard German, which differs from the Standard German of the other regions in morphology, orthography, phonology, syntax and vocabulary. The more you are used to diversification in Germanic languages the less problems you will have understanding and using it.

It is also perfectly okay when you are using your own idiom as a foreigner. As long as there is an understanding no adaption seems neccessary. Should you feel completely lost people are so polite and considerate as to change to Standard German.


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