The Evolution of Swiss Dialects: From Oral Traditions to Written Communication
In the German-speaking population of Switzerland, it is easy to identify whether someone is speaking in the Bernese, Appenzell, Basel, Valaisan, St. Gallen, or Grisons dialect. These dialects are considered fortresses that no one can conquer, as they are an integral part of Swiss-German identity.
However, the landscape of Swiss language is constantly evolving, moving towards a more written form. This shift is more noticeable from an outsider’s perspective. Marina Rumjanzewa, who immigrated from Russia to Switzerland thirty years ago, provides a unique glimpse into this transformation. When she first arrived in Switzerland, she struggled to understand the St. Gallen dialect. Little did she know that she would eventually marry a Swiss man and settle in Zurich, where dialects that once confounded her became a part of her daily life.
Parents Struggling to Understand their Children
Rumjanzewa chronicles her “expedition into an unknown language” in a brilliant and insightful book. She recounts the shock she and other parents experienced when they discovered that their children were writing chat messages and texts in dialect. While the children spoke High German at school, their informal communication with peers and eventually with their parents shifted to Swiss German.
This phenomenon, known as “fingered speech” by linguistics professor John McWhorter, reflects a new trend where children adopt a more oral style of communication in written form, complete with quick, spontaneous messages and spelling errors.
Historically, Swiss-German speakers kept a clear distinction between spoken dialect and written High German. However, the rise of the internet in the early 21st century led to the emergence of a “bilingualism” influenced by online communication. This shift has prompted the need for standardized rules for written Swiss German, separating it from the spoken language.
Furthermore, there is a growing trend of subtitling videos in dialect, highlighting the necessity for a standardized Swiss German. Despite the presence of High German in Switzerland, driven by media consumption and language education, Swiss German remains a vital component of Swiss identity.
Swiss German: A National Language
While the standard language is spoken in a Swiss version, radio and television hosts often need to adjust their language to cater to local dialects. Many Swiss individuals rarely speak High German in their daily lives and believe they speak the standard language worse than Germans. This sentiment underscores the importance of dialect as a cornerstone of Swiss identity, referred to by Basel Germanic studies professor Heinrich Löffler as the “fifth unofficial national language” alongside German, French, Italian, and Romansh.
Despite the prevalence of Swiss German, English is making inroads in Switzerland, with 21% of the population using English in the workplace. This trend raises concerns voiced by former Federal Councillor Jean-Pascal Delamuraz, suggesting that English and Swiss German may become the dominant languages in Switzerland.
Marina Rumjanzewa’s book “Schwiizerdütsch. Expedition in eine unbekannte Sprache” offers valuable insights into the evolving language landscape of Switzerland and the significance of dialect in shaping national identity.
FAQs
What is the significance of Swiss dialects in the country’s identity?
Swiss dialects are considered integral to Swiss identity, serving as a symbol of cultural heritage and regional diversity.
How has the rise of digital communication impacted Swiss German?
The advent of the internet has led to a convergence of spoken dialects and written communication, blurring the lines between traditional forms of language usage.