*-*La DoNnA InViSibiLee*-*
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It dipense where you want to go!!??
If you visit the West Switzerland you have to (no must because the most of the people also speak german) speak French.
In the South Switzerland you have to speak italian (ist the head language but you can also speak german)
And in the others places only GERMAN!!!! :) (the most of the swiss people also speak English)
Good Luck!!
ps: I'm Swiss ;) |
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zbam91
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i think you should know german.
the main german speaking countries are: austria, germany, and switzerland.
but i might be wrong...i'm pretty sure it's german though. |
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oxymandia
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Most Swiss speak English. Their local language varies by region. The three major languages are German, French, and Italian. |
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Goddess of Grammar
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I vote Romansh. Sure it's only spoken by 10000 people or so, but won't they be impressed to meet a tourist who speaks it? The German speakers are almost all happy to speak English, and French speakers are never impressed that anyone speaks French, and the Italian speakers are just happy to talk to you, they don't seem to even notice what language you're speaking. (Seriously! Any time I've been to Ticino, I would attempt to speak Italian to people and as always speak English with my husband and kids, who speak French among themselves, and the people would talk to me in German!) You will also get to hear announcements in Romansh if you take the Bernina Express train, which I highly recommend.
Second choice would be French. Even if the French speakers aren't impressed, they'll still prefer to speak French if they can, whereas unless the German you learn is Swiss-German, many of the German speakers would just as soon speak French or English as High German. |
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Max
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Major language of switzerland is Swiss German but French and Italian is also widely spoken in the country. I'll suggest to learn some basic words of all 3 languages |
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Santero
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English or German.
Most swiss speak English and German is spoken the most in Switzerland allthough it has a French and an Italian part too. |
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Robert H
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German or French are the main languages I encountered when there myself, however nearly every shop/place will have at least one person who speaks English moderately well (Or better).
It is most likely best to know a few common phrases in the native language of the part you travel to, most parts of switzerland have very good (English + other languages) tourist sites. |
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xiAo AnN
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i'll say english cause i feel that it is a more common language |
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nicole_lorraine
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My main suggestion would be German, but if you are in lower switzerland learn Italian. Most resteraunt staff, hotel clerks, and general people speak english. However, if you learn a few words at least that will help a lot! Also, there is a little french close to the border of France. Learn german, and that will help a lot! Specifically Swiss-Deutsch. (Swiss-German) |
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jalady
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Alot of people do speak English in Switzerland. |
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magicswiss
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Since you ask what language you should learn if you will travel to Switzerland, the answer can't be English - you obviousely speak it already.
There are four official languages spoken in Switzerland:
- Alemanic (widely but incorrectly called "Swiss-German") - about 75 % of the population speak it as their mother tongue
- French - about 20 % of the population speak it as their mother tongue
- Italian - about 4 % of the population speak it as their mother tongue
- Raeto-Romansh - about 1 % of the population speak it as their mother tongue
Now, it's up to you to chose! :-) If you learn German, you can yourself be made understood without problems in most parts of the country, a special asset would be French, the two other groups widely understand German, but probably dont' speak it.
English, of course, is taught in all regions of the land of the Helvets. |
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ms_lotr_freak
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Maltese |
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Travel
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