![]() Moreover, as there is no universal written form of the various Swiss German dialects, all laws, books, newspapers and other forms of written communication are written in Standard German. ![]() The Swiss are taught “ Standard German” ( Hochdeutsch) from a very early age in school, and as a result, they can communicate with Germans, Austrians and other German speakers without any trouble - effortlessly making the switch to standard German almost automatically when engaging in conversation with a non-Swiss German speaker. So if Swiss German is a dialect-ridden language that’s incredibly difficult to understand, it would be ridiculous to even attempt a conversation in German with a Swiss person right? No no no, thankfully not. In other countries, dialects are often looked down upon and even discouraged, but in Switzerland these dialects are cherished and promoted, with their use being found across all levels of society. The variety of Swiss German you’d hear in Zurich is completely different from what you’d hear in Basel, let alone in the market squares of Alpine villages. Swiss Germans vigorously promote the rich array of dialects found within their community, meaning that it’s not even accurate to say that there is one unified spoken version of Swiss German. So take it from me, if you speak standard German then you will have a hard time understanding Swiss German! Swiss German or Schwyzerdütsch as it’s called by locals, is a collection of Alemannic dialects no longer spoken in Germany or Austria. ![]() The most widely spoken language in Switzerland is “Swiss German.” Spoken by just over 60 percent of the population, its speakers are concentrated in the northern, central and eastern parts of the country. Switzerland recognizes four languages as so-called “national languages,” and while speakers of these languages can be found throughout the country, the four languages are largely confined to specific regions. Illustration by Victoria Fernández How Many Languages Are Spoken In Switzerland? So what are all the languages spoken in Switzerland? In fact, the Swiss have turned their multilingual identity into one of their greatest natural resources. It’s also fascinating because it’s a land made up of multiple linguistic groups and has largely avoided the social conflict that has plagued other multilingual societies throughout history. People are naturally fascinated by Switzerland - and this admiration isn’t just a love for chocolate and mountain walks (all right, maybe a little bit).
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