Ethnologue 14 report for language code:GSW

ALEMANNISCH: a language of Switzerland

The following is the entry for this language as it appeared in the 14th edition (2000).
It was superseded by the corresponding entry in the 15th edition (2005). See also the corresponding entry in the current edition of Ethnologue.

SIL code: GSW

ISO 639-2: gem

Population

4,215,000 in Switzerland, 63.6% of the population (1990 census). Population total all countries 6,044,000 or more.

Region

Central, south central, north central, northeast, and eastern cantons. Also spoken in Austria, France, Germany, Liechtenstein.

Alternate names

SCHWYZERDÜTSCH

Dialects

BERN (BÄRNDÜTSCH), ZURICH, LUCERNE, BASEL, OBWALD, APPENZEL, ST. GALLEN, GRAUBENDEN-GRISONS (VALSERISCH), WALLIS.

Classification

Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Upper German, Alemannic.

Comments

Swiss varieties are High Alemannisch (most) and Highest Alemannisch (several in central Switzerland). Not functionally intelligible to speakers of Standard German. Each canton has a separate variety, many of which are unintelligible to each others' speakers. Only a few of the 20 to 70 varieties are listed as dialects (subdialects). Close to Schwäbish in south central Germany. All speakers are actively or passively bilingual in Standard German. Standard German is the language of instruction in school. There is an important literature. Used in some schools and churches. 93.3% of German speakers in Switzerland speak a Swiss German dialect, and 66.4% speak dialect only, and no High German (1990 census). 72% of the entire population of Switzerland speak Schwyzerdütsch every day (1990 census). They have a strong social function, being used to maintain the borders of regions or cantons, or even to keep one village different from another. They also draw the line between Germans, Swiss, and Austrians. Called 'Schwytzertütsch' in Switzerland, and 'Alsatian' in France. Grammar. NT 1984.

Also spoken in:

Austria

Language name	ALEMANNISCH
Population	300,000 in Austria (1991 Annemarie Schmidt).
Alternate names	ALEMANNIC
Dialects	HIGH ALEMANNISCH (HOCHALEMANNISCH).
Comments	Similar to Swabian. Called 'Schwyzerdütsch' in Switzerland and 'Alsatian' in southeastern France. NT 1984. See main entry under Switzerland.

France

Language name	ALEMANNISCH
Population	1,500,000 in France (J.A. Hawkins in B. Comrie 1988).
Alternate names	ALEMANNIC
Dialects	ALSATIAN (ALSACIEN, ELSAESSISCH).
Comments	No standard form of Alsatian, but a variety of village dialects. All speakers do not necessarily understand or read Standard German, but most are bilingual in French. Bilingualism in Standard French varies from 79% to 90% of the population in the different regions. Standard German is taught in some primary schools, and used in local newspapers. Called 'Schwyzerdütsch' in Switzerland and 'Alemannisch' in Austria and parts of Germany. Christian. NT 1984. See main entry under Switzerland.

Germany

Language name	ALEMANNISCH
Alternate names	ALEMANNIC
Dialects	LOW ALEMANNISCH, HIGH ALEMANNISCH.
Comments	Varieties in Germany include Low and High Alemannisch. Approximately 40% inherent intelligibility with Standard German. Close to 'Schwyzerdütsch' in Switzerland. 'Alsatian' in northeastern France. Similar to Swabian. Speakers are bilingual in Standard German. NT 1984. See main entry under Switzerland.

Liechtenstein

Language name	ALEMANNISCH
Population	29,000.
Alternate names	ALEMANNIC, SCHWYZERDÜTSCH, SCHWYTZERTUETSCH
Dialects	HIGH ALEMANNISCH.
Comments	Bilingualism in Standard German. Spoken by the majority of the people in the country. NT 1984. See main entry under Switzerland.