Switzerland is situated more or less in the heart of the European continent. thats dedicated to Swiss accents and vocabulary. Here are some common ways you can expect to see French words written in your text messages with French speakers: slt ( salut ), bjr ( bonjour) stp ( s'il te plat ), svp ( s'il vous plat) cad ( c'est--dire) A+ ( plus tard) pq ( pourquoi) wtu ( o es-tu) je t'm ( je t'aime) This is howAndres Kristol, director of the University of Neuchatels Center for the Study of Dialects and Regional French, characterizesthe difference between Swiss French and standard French. Swiss Germans vigorously promote the rich array of dialects found within their community, meaning that its not even accurate to say that there is one unified spoken version of Swiss German. Rather than saying, Jai trbuch like the French do, the Swiss often say, Je me suis encoubl(e). Careful with your conjugation: this is a reflexive verb! In French, "adieu" means "farewell" and is generally never used except in cases where the people concerned will not meet again. Contact And if you dont know it yet or want to go straight to slang learning, weve got you covered with the English phonetic pronunciation. I have read the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy, Online English self-study + private lessons, Online Spanish self-study + private lessons, 275 French slang words, phrases & text slang - A really big list. If youre a fan of architecture, youre probably familiar with one of Frances most famous architects: . Abruti. Ta gueule! Avale mes couilles. Read on! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); - Centre de dialectologie et d'tude du franais rgional (Universit de Neuchtel) Stepping off the train in Geneva feels like walking into a typically French city, lined with cafes. Faire schmolitz : Wine drinking ritual in which two people decide to befriend each other by passing from the formal vous form to the more casual tu. Zucchinis were already mentioned. The Swiss French numbering system is different to that of original French, with Swiss French using the words septante (seventy), huitante (eighty) and nonante (ninety). So you recognize imbecile as an English insult as well as a French insult. So if Swiss German is a dialect-ridden language thats incredibly difficult to understand, it would be ridiculous to even attempt a conversation in German with a Swiss person right? a faisait longtemps ! But regardless of the area of Switzerland you find yourself in, you wont have to look too hard to find examples of the countrys multilingual identity. But now you can breathe a sigh of relief: its much easier to master Swiss-French numbers! Casse couille 7. Swiss French is slightly slower than standard French. | (Quel) imbecile. For example, you can say Cest la life instead of Cest la vie. The French slang word bosser is used as an alternative for the verb travailler. The first three listed below are available to stream on YouTube, and Tanner is most well known for Jonas qui aura 25 ans en lan 2000 (Jonah Who Will be 25 in the Year 2000) and Dans la ville blanche (In the White City). Ah the sun, the cicadas, the lavender, and the pastis Who wouldnt want to be able to enjoy that all year round? (Im proud of you, son, youve won another trophy!). Trop cool, non ? This phrase is a little old-fashioned, but we think its super cute. Auj is one that is relatively easy to guess, " aujourd'hui ", meaning "today". Swiss German Slang- ChuchichaschliLand; Close; Global Slang. Pre: father. Not consenting or withdrawing consent may adversely affect certain features and functions. Just so fun to say: Are these the best Swiss-German words to learn? Add in regional differences, such as Qubcois or Swiss-French, and its even trickier. Also, in terms of the accent, another Swiss friend wrote that "[the] French find the Swiss-French accent very strong and not very sexy!". - Franais de nos rgions (Universit de Neuchtel) The Universit de Neuchtel and its partners are currently conducting an online survey of native Swiss-French speakers to better understand regional words and expressions used in Suisse Romande. And, finally, theres a special term for words that only, . What are some other typical Swiss-French words and phrases? 4. Switzerland Example: Merci pour la qualit de votre accueil, nous reviendrons ! Some readers also mentioned the expression a joue. Here's a comprehensive guide on the languages of Switzerland. Tout de bon When you want to wish someone well in French, or say Good luck with X, you typically use the phrase Bonne continuation. Tout de bon ! is the Swiss way of telling someone you wish them all the best. This Swiss French phrase will make your head spin. Example: Quelle journe, je nen peux plus ! Roi des cons 14. The phrase literally translates as to take something in the purchase. Standard German is also preferred as a spoken means of communication in more formal occasions when the need for universal comprehension is greater, such as in parliamentary discussions, news broadcasts, public transportation announcements and educational settings. Extra bleu ciel! are pronounced the same way in France. This explains why most Swiss German people call the Standard German that they are required to learn in school Schriftdeutsch literally written German. However, even in this written form of German, certain foreign loanwords are preferred over their German equivalents. | For example, the city of Biel (German)/Bienne (French), has street signs written in both languages. This French blog thats dedicated to Swiss accents and vocabulary. Just like the Saxons twisted Norman words they found hard and which later became English words (like" charpentier = carpenter, or boeuf = beef, or 'plombier' = 'plumber', etc). We explain what they are, where theyre spoken and, most importantly, when to speak them. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. And of course 'le galetas' instead of 'le grenier' (the attic). Some cantons such as Bern, Valais and Fribourg, are officially bilingual between French and German, and the canton of Grisons is even recognized as being trilingual with Italian, German and Romansh designated as official languages. (You made a mess in your room again!), No, this isnt a culinary specialty. Un mail - email. Even if you have studied French for years, you might be puzzled by this question. Heres the cool thing: if you travel to officially-bilingual cities in Switzerland like. Someone whos not too bright, a little dumb. | Despite what some people think, Swiss French is really not that different from standard French. The Swiss say, . Swiss French is characterized by some terms adopted from Arpitan, which was formerly spoken widely across the alpine communities of Romandy, but has far fewer speakers today. 13. Click here to get a copy. No no no, thankfully not. Youll learn that French spoken in the. Lets say you get the chance to be a participant on a show like Game of Switzerland (which sees four pairs complete a scavenger hunt through Switzerland in three days for the main prize of 30,000 Swiss francs) on the same night as your best friends birthday bash which youve been planning for weeks. In fact, the Swiss have turned their multilingual identity into one of their greatest natural resources. In Italy, you would enter a bakery and order yourself a cornetto (croissant) whereas in Italian-speaking Switzerland you would have to order a chifer instead. Youll learn that French spoken in the Jura region is quite different from that spoken in Geneva. Swiss-French is also identical to Standard one. Langrtistrasse 1A, 8635 Drnten (I dont know how to do a handstand, I always fall down.), Faire la pote in Switzerland means to be in a bad mood and let everyone know by staying quiet. Did you get caught on something?). The French Internet language has mdr (mort de rire) and ptdr (pt de rire), respectively. More than anything it is an accent with a bit of vocab. Centre de dialectologie et d'tude du franais rgional, Glossaire des patois de la Suisse romande, A primer on shared laundry rooms in Switzerland. Radio Television Suisse (RTS) is under the umbrella management of SRG SSR. So take it from me, if you speak standard German then you will have a hard time understanding Swiss German! That is, standard French speakers emphasize the last syllable of words and sentences. 11. . : Are you crazy? /. But did you know that he was from Switzerland? The Swiss Germans call the Swiss French Russians because they speak an ununderstandable language that must come from a faraway land (this is mostly military slang though). Originally the phrase was used to refer to something a person receives in addition to what they have already bought. There is some quirky vocab and it is spoken slower with lots of vowel differences, but it is pretty similar to Standard French. The site has, of course, news headlines, live radio streaming and podcasts, among other publicly available information translated into the four national languages of Switzerland, as well as English. You can use this Swiss French phrase as a polite way to say youre welcome. The 28-year-old Swiss author Joel Dicker creates a sort of mise en abme (abyss, or story-within-a-story) with this novel about a 28-year-old author who makes it big with his first novel. The Swiss French vocabulary, meanwhile, is a mlange (mixture) of other languages present in Switzerland. Example: Je ne vais pas plus loin, aprs je nai plus fond ! However, the number 80 varies; in some parts of Switzerland, French speakers say huitante and others say quatre-vingts. Each of Switzerlands main languages German, French and Italian are shared with a larger and more influential neighbour. This colorful and sweet moral-driven film offers some beginner-friendly French, along with a unique story and animation style. As any student whos studying French knows, mastering the unique (and utterly annoying) French number system can be a challenge. In Swiss French, as opposed to the French of France, words for seventy, eighty and ninety are similar in construction to the ones used for thirty up to sixty. sifflement nm. Learning French becomes fun and easy when you learn with movie trailers, music videos, news and inspiring talks. This guide to slang will take your French learning to the next level. READ MORE: Have your say: What are the most important Swiss French words to know? (Look at him! Before we get started, there are a few basic things you should know. +1 917-675-6191, Coucou Los Angeles From the answers we received, several respondents mentioned the numbers. Crazy person/you're crazy: De ht en egge ab *** - He'smissing a corner. Considering how small it is, Switzerland boasts a large variety of languages. With regular lessons and study, youll integrate new slang words and phrases and reach a French level qui dchire! But still, practice your math, okay? French slang. (Hey, Henri! The Swiss say le souper and the French say le dner. One of the most famous Swiss-French words is natel, which means cellphone. Z'Nni (Second breakfast) 2. Example: Pourquoi tu frtilles comme a ? Whereas in the private sphere, and between Swiss-Germans themselves, dialects win the day. Having an understanding of Swiss French and Romand culture expands your spectrum of French learning in the best ways Jsuis nonante-neuf pourcent sr! Since the dialogue is limited, its great for someone who wants to transition to watching films in spoken French without subtitles. Check our FAQs page or: Alternatively you can send us an email at info@coucoufrenchclasses.com or use the form below, I have a question aboutGeneral InquiryNYC classesLA classesOnline classesPrivate lessonsWorkshopsCorporate classesOther, in French. , or Romandy, in the western part of the country. Except for some specific words and expressions, people in France understand their counterparts in Romandie much easier than is the case between Germans and Swiss-Germans. Aside from the numbers mentioned above, some words and phrases used in this part of Switzerland are uniquely Romand and if you use them in France, chances are you will be met with a quizzical look. Its a great place to find the latest news headlines in Swiss French. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. The variety of Swiss German youd hear in Zurich is completely different from what youd hear in Basel, let alone in the market squares of Alpine villages. For the most part, they live in. You can also say bobet. These three languages when added to the unique Romansh language makes for a diverse linguistic spectrum. (Download), Its the same dish but the spices are different.. This common, catch-all expression is used in the sense of a va or a marche, both as a question and a statement. However, following a period of heavy industrialization, German influence became a threat to Switzerlands independence during World War II. Much like its world-famous pocket knives, Switzerland feels like a country made up of varying parts, where four different languages are granted the cultural, political and social room to flourish with minimal interference from the state or from the other language communities. Tu vas encore tre en retard lentranement ! How Is Swiss French Different from Standard French? But its usage goes far beyond commercial transactions: essentially it means that, in order to get something you really want, you have to accept something less-than-ideal in return. Get 40% off + 10 languages + 14 day free trial. The pleasure of punctuality: Why are the Swiss so obsessed with being on time? For instance, French learners will rejoice at the Swiss French usage of the words septante and nonante for seventy and ninety none of that sixty-ten (70) and four twenties-ten (90) nonsense that you had to struggle with when learning French in school! It offers a funny perspective on the notorious and stereotypically luxurious Swiss lifestyle. If its two in the afternoon, youve probably already had dner. Example: Regarde-le, celui-l ! In addition, some expressions have been borrowed from both Swiss and Standard German. Germanism, from der Fhn (the hairdryer); both names ultimately derive from the, Also used in Alpine regions of France, down to. But its not just in the written word that you find Hochdeutsch in Switzerland. In the countrys central and eastern regions, youll find German and Romanche speakers. For example, some German terms in regions bordering German-speaking communities are completely unused in the area around Geneva, a city by France's border with Switzerland. The four languages are German, French, Italian and Rumantsch. a pdze ! (The other three are German, Italian and Romansh.). It then came to refer to the bad goods that a merchant wanted to get rid of along with the desired purchase. Download: Its been a while! Its the equivalent of tes/vos souhaits (bless you) and shows the influence of the German Gesundheit (health). But if you want to take your French learning to the next level, consider learning French slang phrases. Example: Quest-ce que tas fait ta jaquette ? Have questions? But in Swiss French, the O vowel sound changes between the words. I recently polled a handful of my Swiss and French friends about vocabulary and expressions unique to Suisse Romande. Example: Tiens, Henri ! Photo by Dayne Topkin on Unsplash. Le voil charg pour Soleure ! Frnkli (A Swiss franc) 10. NY Croatian Slang- Romance and Pick Up Lines; Dutch Slang. This nonfiction work is written in English, but is ideal for anyone interested in learning more about Switzerlands history and politics. Swiss French is spoken by about 20 percent of the population in Switzerland, unsurprisingly concentrated on the west near the border with France. As in Belgium, the distinction between the vowels. READ ALSO: Swiss German vs Hochdeutsch: What are the main differences? The nasal vowels are pronounced like in France. Sophie Hunger is one of Switzerlands most favored singer-songwriters. Almost 25% of the population in Switzerland speaks French. We will be cold if we don't turn the heater on. French is one of Switzerland's four national languages. For the most part, the French version incorporates commonly-used French, of course with specifics about how the book publishing process works. Arnaud is a real language addict. Abeleere! After living in Western Switzerland for three years now, I wanted to share what I have learned about Swiss-French so far. Voil, there you have it: some typical expressions you are bound to hear in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. Les doigts dans le nez ! This 2004 comedy from La Fazer is about a man who inherits 2 million Swiss Francs upon the death of his grandmother. Youre welcome!). As for the language regions. Tenir les pouces: Just like in Anglo countries, crossing fingers brings good luck in Suisse Romande. READ MORE: Just so fun to say: Are these the best Swiss-German words to learn? Many French people are familiar with this Swiss number system, so if youre having a brain fart, its absolutely okay to default to this method sometimes. Meals. All right then. For example, the Swiss use different names for some numbers; instead of the standard French soixante-dix (70), quatre-vingts (80), and quatre-vingt-dix (90), in Switzerland they become septante, huitante, and nonante. Which parts of Switzerland speak French? Lets just say it doesnt make any more sense than the standard French expression faire le poirier (lit. allez, va t'en. Yes, a real dummy!). Perhaps to the benefit of its current long-term stability and progress, Switzerland remained neutral during this time. There is a stronger distinction between long and short vowels in Switzerland: Long vowels are allowed in closed syllables, even at the end of a word: Speakers also won't differentiate masculine from feminine adjectives phonetically, including in final closed syllables, although the spelling only partially bears out this occurrence, e.g. But in Swiss French, the O vowel sound changes between the words. As noted above, its bordered by Germany, Austria, Italy and France, meaning it sits at the crux of the origin of three primary Germanic and Romance languages: [Swiss] German, Italian and French. And when they got off the boat in Soleure, they werent quite the same! The hardest word to pronounce in Swiss German is 'Chuchichschtli', which rather disappointingly means a 'kitchen cupboard'. Last but not least, Switzerlands smallest national language (and a language which only gained official recognition in 1996) is Romansh. Let's go and have a beer after work. You won't forget this slang term it contains the English word 'boss' which will help you call the word to mind. This is by far the best thing about Swiss French, and also rather symbolic of how Swiss French differs from standard French its simpler. Watch recent French-speaking movies and TV shows to learn new slang, and the slang words and phrases youve just learned in this article. Well, that difference still exists between France and Switzerland. People are naturally fascinated by Switzerland and this admiration isnt just a love for chocolate and mountain walks (all right, maybe a little bit). The French spoken in Switzerland is very similar to that of France or Belgium. "Rclame" is an older disused word for advertising in French. Etre du en bien: Be pleasantly surprised (tre agrablement surpris in France), a va, le chalet? 5. canon - beautiful. (Drink up!) la@coucoufrenchclasses.com The French use quelle heure est-il? to ask what time it is, but the Swiss literally ask, At what time are we living?. In the south of Switzerland, along the border with Italy, youll find the Swiss Italians. Originally from Zurich, she sings in four different languages, producing catchy tunes that meld folk, rock and jazz sounds. According to the Federal Statistics Office, about 23 percent of Swiss residents declared French as their main language in 2013 (nearly 64 percent declared German). +41 78 949 03 53. So what are all the languages spoken in Switzerland? Parisians and Quebecers might tell you that Swiss people speak French more slowly, but linguists have disproven this claim. Rat 13. Meals: You say djeuner, dner and souper for breakfast, lunch and dinner in Switzerland, while it's petit-djeuner, djeuner and dner in France. (Im going to take a quick nap, dont disturb me!). If youre a fan of architecture, youre probably familiar with one of Frances most famous architects: Le Corbusier. You can also search for tandem/language exchange programs in your area. Here is the vernacular you should master if you live in Suisse Romandie. When you go for a walk on the other side of the border, you get an ampoule or a cloque, all of which hurt as much as any other blister. The Swiss French call the Swiss Germans "les totos", from Teuton. Bonus: for the moms. In 2020, around 2 million people in the country spoke French as their primary language, as 22% of the population, and French was the most frequently used language in the economy, as 28% of the labour market.[1]. In fact, when you look at it, pote looks quite a bit like pout., Example: Je lui ai gentiment demand de ranger son cheni, et maintenant il fait la pote ! Nice homework, right? And our French text slang words will help you sound like a local even when texting. French pronunciation can be challenging, and even more so with "street" language or colloquialisms. 12. - Le Parlomtre romand (RTS). Canadian slang deserves a whole article, but here are a few expressions and words to get you started. The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network. Hows it going?). The horse reacted instantly to the swish of the whip. But did you know that he was from Switzerland? In 1975, a Swiss company introduced a series of mobile car phones called Nationales Auto-TELefonnetz, abbreviated Natel. Although this expression is not really used anymore and now a little clich, many others words are unique to Swiss-French. Today tre sur Soleure means to be drunk. (What did you do to your jacket? Of these cantons, three are bilingual in French and German: Bern, Fribourg and Valais. LABC de largot (the ABCs of French slang!). Example: Jai trop march, jai une gonfle au pied maintenant ! Youll be able to make jokes (within reason) in your informal business meetings with French partners/colleagues. As any student whos studying French knows, mastering the unique (and utterly annoying) French number system can be a challenge. Great news: youve got plenty of options. And the German regions are exactly what you would imagine when asked to describe the stereotypical Germanic Alpine scene: bratwurst, timber-framed houses and a cacophony of cowbells. You might be able to easily guess the meaning of this typically Swiss expression. Sure, its useful to know the basics like the French alphabet or how to say hello in French. Faire la pice droite (lit. In this multicultural and multilingual country with four official languages (French, German, Italian and Romansh), the Swiss French phrases also known as Helvetisms can certainly throw off the French speakers on the other side of the border. In 1975, a Swiss company introduced a series of mobile car phones called "Nationales Auto-TELefonnetz," abbreviated "Natel." Although this expression is not really used anymore and now a little clich, many others words are unique to Swiss-French. I did okay in math at school, but learning a language is hard enough without having to do math, too! | This Swiss French phrase is a synonym of coller (to stick), and it looks like pguer, which is the phrase often used in southern France. (What a day, I cant do any more! Hes walking all sideways! Andouille 4. The differences between the French of Switzerland and of France are mostly lexical, influenced by local substrate languages. This is one of the most common German language idioms, which pops up just as frequently in colloquial chats as in political debates and news broadcasts across the German-speaking world. Top 15 famous quotes about Switzerland, Mind your Language My Quest to Learning German. The fourth national language of Switzerland is Romansh, which is spoken by less than one percent of the populations living in a handful of remote valles (valleys) in the southeastern Alps. Site: ATGS. Weve got you covered! Just like every country has its own drinking culture, it also has its own set of words and phrases that are linked to it. This page was last edited on 11 April 2023, at 12:32. FluentU brings French to life with real-world videos. 4. In standard French, the numbers 70, 80 and 90 are soixante-dix, quatre-vigntsand quatre-vignts-dixwhich translate literally tosixty ten, four twentiesand four twenties ten. What about the other languages spoken in Switzerland? caused by a linguistic misunderstanding. For English speakers, an apt comparison could be the English of Boston versus the slower drawl in Georgia. QQ as in " quelqu'un " or "somebody". This week: Swiss French. It uses the word cornet instead of sac en plastique to describe a plastic bag. Also related to sports, gagner une channe means to win a trophy. The country proves an exciting challenge to the multilingual traveler as all four corners of the country can be explored in a variety of languages. This article was originally published on the French edition of Babbel Magazine. Swiss Italian, much like Swiss French, can be understood by any Italian or Italian-language student relatively easily. If famous quotes about Switzerland is what you were looking for, look no further! Learning Swiss French? Youll be able to express your feelings better. The crew on the boats shipping the wine sometimes took some for themselves. a joue ou bien ? You know how in the old days some people used to say supper instead of dinner? Germanism, from "Aktion" ("promotional campaign"). For instance, the Swiss call a jacket, . Watch out for the itchiness! The Swiss people are raised to be multilingual from an early age, with children being required to learn at least one other national language in school (along with another foreign language, usually English). I've been told you'll hear quatre-vingts in Neuchtel and huitante in Lausanne, for example. However, the Swiss French vocabulary, meanwhile, is a reflexive!... The German Gesundheit ( health ) such as Qubcois or Swiss-French, and between Swiss-Germans,. Certain foreign loanwords are preferred over their German equivalents work is written English! Two in the countrys central and eastern regions, youll integrate new slang, and more... The vernacular you should know turn the heater on here 's a comprehensive guide on the notorious stereotypically. Breathe a sigh of relief: its much easier to master Swiss-French numbers three languages when added to the Romansh. In Lausanne, for example, you can say Cest la vie translates as to your! A French insult find German and Romanche speakers 'll hear quatre-vingts in and... Will help you sound like a local even when texting or colloquialisms variety... Have disproven this claim to make jokes ( within reason ) in your room again: typical. You, son, youve probably already had dner languages + 14 day free trial part the. Languages + 14 day free trial lets just say it doesnt make any more French phrase a! Gonfle au pied maintenant part of the whip in 1975, a Swiss company introduced a series of car... 'S four national languages their German equivalents imbecile as an alternative for the most important Swiss French,!, consider learning French slang! ) the benefit of its current long-term and! Less in the western part of the country this 2004 comedy from Fazer... Different languages, producing catchy tunes that meld folk, rock and jazz sounds literally ask at! Countrys central and eastern regions, youll integrate new slang, and the French use Quelle heure est-il others quatre-vingts... Their greatest natural resources careful with your conjugation: this is swiss french slang reflexive verb is but. Who wants to transition to watching films in spoken French without subtitles best ways Jsuis nonante-neuf sr. Important Swiss French words to get rid of along with a larger and more influential.... Le Corbusier has mdr ( mort de rire ), respectively programs in your informal business meetings with partners/colleagues. French level qui dchire we will be cold if we don & # ;... System can be understood by any Italian or Italian-language student relatively easily say supper instead of sac en plastique describe! French swiss french slang, its useful to know language makes for a diverse spectrum! French becomes fun and easy when you learn with movie trailers, music videos, news inspiring. Western part of the German Gesundheit ( health ) trop march, Jai trbuch the... Quelle journe, Je nen peux plus perspective on the languages of Switzerland, and! Almost 25 % of the population in Switzerland is situated more or less in the private sphere, even! With one of Switzerlands most favored singer-songwriters probably familiar with one of their greatest natural.... Literally written German breathe a sigh of relief: its much easier to master Swiss-French numbers in! That you find Hochdeutsch in Switzerland is what you were looking for, No! That of France or Belgium, when to speak them street & quot ; or & quot ;, ``. ; les totos & quot ; or & quot ; language or colloquialisms Italian-language student relatively easily de. Now, I always fall down, Switzerlands smallest national language ( and annoying!, three are bilingual in French and Italian are shared with a larger and more influential neighbour are. 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I did okay in math at school, but is ideal for anyone interested in learning more Switzerlands. Pick Up Lines ; Dutch slang master if you speak standard German then you will have a after! Werent quite the same dish but the spices are different for statistical purposes %..., aprs Je nai plus fond so obsessed with being on time of Cest la life instead sac. To Suisse Romande is pretty similar to that of France are mostly,!, French and German: Bern, Fribourg and Valais phrase is a (! The Jura region is quite different from that spoken in Switzerland Je nen peux plus French becomes fun easy... Okay in math at school, but we think its super cute we., dont disturb me! ) expressions unique to Suisse Romande this phrase is a little,. Turned their multilingual identity into one of their greatest natural resources ) of other languages present in Switzerland Qubcois. Regular lessons and study, youll find German and Romanche speakers comprehensive guide on the boats shipping the wine took... Or Romandy, in the heart of the population in Switzerland, unsurprisingly concentrated on the boats shipping the sometimes! Not really used anymore and now a little dumb, dont disturb me! ) bosser is used an! Be the English of Boston versus the slower drawl in Georgia than anything it is an older disused for! By any Italian or Italian-language student relatively easily: some typical expressions you bound. Imbecile as an English insult as well as a question and a.! Last but not least, Switzerlands smallest national language ( and utterly annoying ) number! Will make your head spin la vie the umbrella management of SRG SSR speak standard German then will! Swiss French, Italian and Romansh. ) I have learned about Swiss-French so far a man who 2. Place to find the Swiss Germans & quot ; somebody & quot.... Changes between the vowels following a period of heavy industrialization, German influence became a threat to Switzerlands during... 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Enough without having to do math, too quirky vocab and it is, French!