The mysterious 4th language of Switzerland

@LeaPea2417 (37355)
Toccoa, Georgia
June 28, 2018 2:37pm CST
Switzerland has 4 national languages, German, Italian, French and the mysterious Romansh. Even though Romansh is a national language, it is only spoken by 0.5 percent of the Swiss people. The Canton called Graubunden is where it originates. It is the largest Canton and it is very rare to hear it spoken in other areas of the country. It has a culture to it and if it would die out as a language, it would be the death of traditions of Graubunden. Luckily more people want to learn it and with the internet and lessons being offered, more have the opportunity to learn it these days. I know our myLot friend @LadyDuck lives in Switzerland. What does she know about Romansh?
Despite Romansh being one of Switzerland’s four national languages, less than 0.5% percent of Swiss can speak it.
9 people like this
9 responses
@caopaopao (12395)
• China
29 Jun 18
Does everyone in Switzerland speak several languages? Dear friend.
2 people like this
@caopaopao (12395)
• China
29 Jun 18
@LeaPea2417 That's great, dear friend. Thank you for telling me.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37355)
• Toccoa, Georgia
29 Jun 18
Yes, I think a lot do speak more than one language there.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471541)
• Switzerland
29 Jun 18
@caopaopao @LeaPea2417 YES, we are obliged to correctly speak at least 2 of the 3 official languages.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (471541)
• Switzerland
29 Jun 18
Romansh is still one of the "official languages", but it is not mandatory to add this language to official documents, that are all the time written in 3 languages (German, French and Italian). Romansh is spoken in Canton Grison, one of my neighbors was born there and he speaks Romansh and he taught the language to his two children. Romansh will not disappear. By the way Graubunden is the only tri-lingual speaking Canton, but Romansh is spoken in Graubunden and Grison Cantons.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (37355)
• Toccoa, Georgia
29 Jun 18
That is very interesting.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (471541)
• Switzerland
30 Jun 18
@LeaPea2417 They are fighting here to protect the languages spoken by minorities. Italian is only spoken by less than 9% of the population, we are also fighting to keep Italian as "official language".
@Teep11 (7673)
• United States
29 Jun 18
Sounds as though the language is appreciated but there are some languages difficult to learn and that's why some may choose to stay away from certain languages.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37355)
• Toccoa, Georgia
29 Jun 18
Yes, I read where that language is difficult.
@rakski (123141)
• Philippines
28 Jun 18
Oh, I did not know that. Nice piece of information you got there
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (37355)
• Toccoa, Georgia
29 Jun 18
Thank you.
@JudyEv (340036)
• Rockingham, Australia
29 Jun 18
That's interesting. The various and numerous aboriginal dialects have no written version but steps are now being taken to develop a written version to keep the old languages alive.
2 people like this
@LeaPea2417 (37355)
• Toccoa, Georgia
29 Jun 18
That is good.
2 people like this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
28 Jun 18
I would've never guessed that.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37355)
• Toccoa, Georgia
28 Jun 18
It is amazing how many languages there are in the world.
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
29 Jun 18
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (167024)
• Boise, Idaho
28 Jun 18
That is good to hear. I wish the American Indian languages would be saved.
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37355)
• Toccoa, Georgia
28 Jun 18
Yes, I do agree with you on that.
1 person likes this
@amadeo (111938)
• United States
28 Jun 18
I have no interest in learning t his.Have a hard time with English
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37355)
• Toccoa, Georgia
29 Jun 18
@saritflor (3914)
• Hungary
28 Jun 18
I didn't know that, how interesting! is Romansh is some kind of Romanian?
1 person likes this
@LeaPea2417 (37355)
• Toccoa, Georgia
29 Jun 18
I am not sure if it is related to Romanian.