Switzerland is a country of great linguistic and cultural diversity. With its 4 national languages and numerous regional dialects, it is home to a highly diverse pool of speakers. Optilingua guides you through the languages spoken in Switzerland, which make up the uniqueness and charm of the Swiss Confederation.
What are Switzerland's national languages?
Switzerland has 4 national languages. This multilingualism, linked to the country's history, can be seen in all aspects of Swiss society. Pupils are required to learn at least one second national language at school, and two-thirds of the population regularly use a second language, either at home or at work.
The German language in Switzerland
German is widely spoken throughout Switzerland, particularly in the north, east, and centre of the country. It is the official language of several major cities, including Zurich (the capital of the canton of the same name).
Although around 70% of the Swiss population can speak German (Source: swissstats.bfs), the predominant language is still Swiss German, which has many linguistic specificities. The language is influenced by several Alemannic dialects and enriched by French and Italian words. It has its own syntax, vocabulary, and pronunciation, which generally divides the language into three main families:
- Low Alemannic
- High Alemannic
- Highest Alemannic.
German-speaking Switzerland therefore boasts considerable linguistic diversity, reflecting its multicultural history.
The French language in Switzerland
The French language in Switzerland, also called Swiss French, is not very different from its equivalent in France. It has been recognised as a national language since 1848 and has also become the language spoken by the country's representatives working at the UN.
Around 20% of Swiss people speak French at home and 28% at work (Source: swissstats.bfs), making it the second most widely used language in the Swiss Confederation.
French speakers are mainly found in the west of the country (in French-speaking Switzerland), in the cantons of Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel and Jura, but they are also represented in the cantons of Berne (on the border between the French- and German-speaking areas), Fribourg and Valais.
The Italian language in Switzerland
Italian is Switzerland's third national language, spoken mainly in Ticino and certain valleys of the Grisons. Almost 8% of working people use it at work, and 8.5% speak it at home (Source: swissstats.bfs).
Spoken Swiss Italian is often mixed with local dialects: a linguistic peculiarity that reflects the cultural influence of neighbouring Italy. Italian Switzerland (or Svizzera italiana) is located close to the northern regions of Italy (Lombardy, Piedmont, Trentino-Alto Adige).
The Romansh language in Switzerland
Romansh is a Rhaeto-Romanic language with Latin roots, which was recognised as an official regional language in 1938. Mainly used in the trilingual canton of the Grisons (Graubünden), it’s spoken by people in almost half of this territory.
Romansh is spoken by only 0.3% of Swiss people at work and 0.5% at home (Source: swissstats.bfs). A Romansh speaker will therefore usually be bilingual, and frequently speaking German as a second language.
Despite its status as an official regional language, Romansh is in decline.
What other languages are spoken in Switzerland?
In addition to these 4 national languages, Switzerland has a number of regional dialects or languages. Among them, Franco-Provençal (or Arpitan) and Frainc-Comtou are recognised by the Confederation's language charter. The canton of the Grisons is also home to five different dialects:
- Sutsilvan (derived from sut "below" and selva "forest")
- Sursilvan (derived from sur "above" and selva "forest")
- Surmiran (derived from sur "above" and meir "wall")
- Putèr (probably originally a nickname derived from put "porridge", meaning "porridge-eaters")
- Vallader (derived from val "valley").
The country also officially recognises minority languages without territory, such as Romani or Yenish, spoken by at least 30,000 people.
There are other foreign languages in Switzerland spoken in particular by the 1.825 million non-nationals who work in the country (Source: Federal Statistical Office). The linguistic landscape is enriched by English, the first non-national language of the Swiss Confederation, and also by Portuguese, Albanian, Serbian, Croatian, and Spanish.
Focus on unilingual Swiss cantons
Of the 26 cantons in Switzerland, 17 are unilingual German-speaking, 4 are unilingual French-speaking (Vaud, Geneva, Neuchâtel, and Jura). Only one, the canton of Ticino, is unilingual Italian-speaking. The unilingual German-speaking cantons are as follows:
- Appenzell Ausserrhoden (Appenzell Outer-Rhodes)
- Appenzell Innerrhoden (Appenzell Inner-Rhodes)
- Aargau
- Basel-Stadt (Basel-City)
- Basel-Landschaft (Basel-Country)
- Glarus
- Luzern (Lucerne)
- Nidwalden (Nidwald)
- Unterwald (Obwald)
- St. Gallen (St. Gall)
- Schaffhausen (Schaffhouse)
- Solothurn (Soleure)
- Schwyz
- Thurgau (Thurgovia)
- Uri
- Zug (Zoug)
- Zürich
In all, 22 Swiss cantons are officially unilingual, but they nevertheless bring together people with multiple linguistic heritages.
What language should I speak when travelling in Switzerland?
Switzerland is divided into a number of different language zones, so how do you know which language to speak during a stay in the country? Although German is the most widely spoken language, English is the most widely used foreign language. Many locals are therefore able to understand it. However, having a knowledge of the vocabulary used in the canton you are travelling to will help you communicate with non-English-speaking locals.
Living and working in Switzerland: when do you need a translation?
Living and working in Switzerland means navigating a multilingual environment. According to the Federal Statistical Office 38% of employees use at least two languages in the workplace. If you're an expatriate, it's a good idea to have your documents translated into at least one official language of the canton where you are going to be living.
For example, diplomas, CVs, covering letters and letters of recommendation may be required when looking for a job in Switzerland. On a personal level too, medical notes, supporting documents or legal documents (driving licence, birth certificate, etc.) may need to be translated, particularly if you are going to be renting or buying a property or a car, or when you need to access healthcare.
How do I translate documents for Switzerland?
At Optilingua, our network of 3,500 native and specialist translators can provide you with translations tailored to your sector of activity (legal, medical, financial, etc.). They can translate your content in over 100 languages, including Romansh, French, German, and Italian. These experienced professionals can offer the following translation services in particular:
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FAQ on languages spoken in Switzerland
The main language of the Swiss Confederation is Swiss German (or Schwyzerdütsch), a German mixed with Alemannic dialects. With over 60% of the population speaking it, it is the first official national language, recognised as such by Article 70 of the 1999 Federal Constitution.
Swiss French is the second official language of the Swiss Confederation. It is spoken mainly in the cantons of Geneva, Vaud, Neuchâtel, and Jura, which make up French-speaking Switzerland. It is one of the national languages recognised by the country.
Switzerland has three official national languages:
- German – spoken by around 60% of the population
- French – spoken by around 20% of the Swiss population
- Italian – a minority language, spoken by around 8% of the population.
Although Romansh is not an official national language, it was designated an official regional language in 1999. Since then, federal officials have used it to communicate with representatives of the canton of the Grisons, where the language is located.