Walser

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A language of Switzerland

ISO 639-3

wae

Alternate Names

Walscher

Population

10,000 in Switzerland (2004). Ethnic population: 21,900 (1980 C. Buchli). Total users in all countries: 22,780.

Location

Graubünden canton: Albula, Hinterrhein, Plessur, Prattigau-Davos, and Surselva districts; Ticino canton: Bosco-Gurin; Valais canton: Simplon; 26 communities.

Language Maps

Austria

Liechtenstein and Switzerland

Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

Classification

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

Dialects

None known. Reportedly similar to but different from Swiss German [gsw] spoken in Wallis Canton in Switzerland. Different from Cimbrian [cim], Mocheno [mhn], or Bavarian [bar].

Language Development

NT: 2011.

Language Resources

OLAC resources in and about Walser

Writing

Latin script [Latn].

Also spoken in:

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Austria

Language nameWalser

Population Full

8,080 in Austria (2000).

Location

Tyrol state: Paznauntal area, Brandnertal, Galtur, Lech, Reintal, Schricken, Silbertal, and Warth; Vorarlberg state: Grosses Walsertal, Kleinwalsertal, Tannberg areas.

Alternate Names

Walscher

Status

6b* (Threatened).

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Italy

Language nameWalser

Population Full

3,400 in Italy (Fazzini Giovannucci 1978).

Location

Valle d’Aosta region: Val Lesa (Val del Lys) (Gressoney, Issime, Gaby); Piedmont region: Valsesia (Alagna, Rima S. Giuseppe, Rimella); Novara, Valle Anzasca (Macugnaga); Val Formazza (Formazza, Pomatt). 10 communities.

Alternate Names

Walscher

Dialects

Töitschu, Titsch.

Status

7 (Shifting).

Language Use

Religious services. Adults only. Also use Italian [ita], Piedmontese [pms].

Other Comments

In Valle d’Aosta influenced by Arpitan [frp] and Piedmontese [pms]; elsewhere in Italy by Italian [ita].

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Liechtenstein

Language nameWalser

Population Full

1,300 in Liechtenstein (1995 C. Buchli).

Location

Triesenberg Commune, including Saminatal and Malbun enclaves; otherwise, scattered in southeast.

Alternate Names

Walscher

Status

6b (Threatened).

Language Use

Some young people, all adults.

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Ethnologue

Walser

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A language of Switzerland

Also spoken in:

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