'Can I get by in Switzerland with English alone?'
When it comes to moving to Switzerland - or really any other foreign country -you'll want to know how far your English will get you. In Switzerland, the answer to the question is: it depends. Or, as one would say in Swiss-German: “Jain” (ja & nein, meaning, you guessed it, yes & no). The country may be small, but there are a lot of nationalities packed in. Big cities such as Basel, Zurich and Geneva are pretty international. So you can “get by” with English. That means that you can do most everyday activities without encountering a language barrier. Think: ordering food at a restaurant, buying groceries or managing your account in person at a bank. But...knowing at least a little bit of one of the four Swiss local languages can go a long way when it comes to settling in
Who speaks what in Switzerland?
In Switzerland, there are four national languages: German, French, Italian and Rhaeto-Rumantsch. German is the most widely spoken language in the country, with 19 cantons that are predominantly German-speaking, that means around 64% of the Swiss population. French is the official language in four cantons, all of which are located in the western part of Switzerland. Italian is spoken in Ticino and parts of the canton of Graubünden. And Rhaeto-Rumantsch is spoken by only 0.5% of the Swiss population, so you will probably get further there with English.
When you know some German, French or Italian (or Rhaeto-Rumantsch), it’s easier to make friends, interact with your child’s teacher and participate in small-talk during the 9 o’clock coffee break at work.
Switzerland is a particular country when it comes to languages
Because of how international Switzerland is, most people expect the Swiss to be fluent in English. But this is not always the case. Business may be conducted in English, but everyday life happens in the local language. Swiss often know two national languages, for example, German and a bit of French. That doesn’t mean that they know English!
Why you should learn your local Swiss language
Even if you are only living in Switzerland for a short time, there are so many reasons why we think learning the local language is important and will do you good:
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You get the full 'Swiss experience': Living in Switzerland is wonderful and knowing the local language makes it even better. You can experience Swiss cuisine because you’ll be able to read the menu; you’ll never get lost because you can read the signs on the highway, and you can ask for directions on your day trip; you’ll feel a lot less like an outsiderwhen you know a few key phrases.
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You'll becloser to your children: If your child attends a local school, then knowing some German, French or Italian will make it easier for you to interact with their teachers, as well as other parents. The assignments and papers that your child will bring home from school will be in the local Swiss language. You’ll be able to support your child better when you can read, write and speak the same language they are taught in.
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It's so much easier to make friends: The Swiss love their clubs! No matter where you live, you’ll be surrounded by opportunities to meet up for activities ranging from networking, hiking and sailing, to chess and cooking. In their free time, the Swiss revert to their own language. So if you want to join your local fishing club and build friendships with your neighbors, knowing how to converse in German, French or Italian will make it much easier.
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It helps with getting your C permit: If you want to stay in Switzerland, you'll need a Swiss Permanent Resident Permit (also known as a C Permit). Among the requirements for this permit are at least Level A2 of language skills in the official language of your canton and proof that you are well-integrated into Swiss society (good relations with the local population or connections to a local association).
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You'll be able tounderstand official documents: If you need to take care of any administrative work, like taxes or registration forms, all documents and info sheets you receive or submit will be in the Swiss local language. Your interactions with the staff at the city hall will most likely also be in the local language.
"Picking up" a language seldom works
Most newcomers to Switzerland are confident they can pick up the local language along the way and simply rely on English in the meantime. But picking up a language without having a good grasp of the grammar isn't practical. It might work when you're at the grocery story and you're looking for a specific item, but it won't help if you're trying to participate in a conversation with your neighbors.
To truly learn a Swiss local language, sign up for a language class. Work on not only your speaking and listening skills, but reading and writing skills as well. And as soon as you have a foundation of basics, you'll be able to fully immerse yourself in your new home.
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FAQs
You'll be able to understand official documents: If you need to take care of any administrative work, like taxes or registration forms, all documents and info sheets you receive or submit will be in the Swiss local language.
Why is it important to learn the language of a country? ›
If you are fluent in someone else's native language, their people will readily accept you and you can better understand the cultural aspects and nuances of that society. National language has a connection with the people of the country and their territory.
What is the most important language in Switzerland? ›
Over 60% of the Swiss population speak German as their main language. They do not speak standard German but rather various Alemmanic dialects collectively called Swiss German.
What language should you learn if you move to Switzerland? ›
English is widely spoken, so you might be able to get by if you don't speak the local languages. However, you can increase your chances of landing highly sought-after Switzerland expat jobs by learning basic German, French, or Italian.
What are the four official languages of Switzerland your answer? ›
German, French, Italian, and Romansh are the four official languages of Switzerland. German is the most widely spoken of these four languages in Switzerland, followed by French and Italian respectively.
What are the benefits of having your own language? ›
Maintaining your first language is critical to your identity and contributes to a positive self-concept. The Intercultural Development Research Association (IDRA) reiterates that continuing to study your mother tongue after childhood helps you learn how to value your culture and heritage.
What is the most important language in the world to learn? ›
Are these the only important languages? While English, Mandarin Chinese, Spanish, and Arabic are widely regarded as the most important languages, it's essential to acknowledge that language importance can vary depending on specific contexts.
Why language is spoken in Switzerland? ›
Because the largest part of Switzerland is German-speaking, many French, Italian, and Romansh speakers migrate to the rest of Switzerland, and the children of those non-German-speaking Swiss-born within the rest of Switzerland speak German.
What are the top 3 languages spoken in Switzerland? ›
Over 60% of the population speaks German (both standard German and Swiss German) as their main language, while over 20% speaks French, around 8% Italian and under 1% Romansh. Over 20% of residents have another language as their mother tongue, primarily English, Portuguese and Albanian.
What is Switzerland famous for? ›
Switzerland is famous for its mountains, clocks and its food – especially cheese and chocolates. It's a fantastic place for winter sports. The British Royals love to snowboard in Klosters while skiing in Zermatt gives you fantastic views of the iconic Matterhorn mountain.
Is Swiss German Hard To Learn? Unless you live in a canton of Switzerland, learning one of its regional dialects would be challenging. Still, you can learn to understand and speak Swiss German. With practice, you can even delight and surprise native Swiss speakers with your knowledge of their “language.”
Is learning Swiss German worth it? ›
Advantages of Swiss German
The main advantage of learning Swiss German first is that you will be able to speak with and understand your Swiss friends and acquaintances. Although all Swiss German native speakers can understand High German, they almost always prefer to speak Swiss German.
Do locals speak English in Switzerland? ›
Across all age groups and all language regions, English was the most commonly used nonnational language in Switzerland in 2019, with 45% of the population reporting that they regularly used it. In contrast, only 39% of the population said they regularly used French, and only 15% Italian.
What is the Swiss language that few know? ›
“It makes Bolze speakers special because it is spoken only by so few people,” he added. While Bolze remains something of a mystery to outsiders – and is now only spoken by a handful of locals – it continues to hold meaning to the citizens of Basse-Ville.
Why is Switzerland a multilingual country? ›
Going back through history, these cantons were fully sovereign states, each with their own borders, armies and customs and language. The particular languages spoken by each canton represents both the geographical and cultural boundaries of Switzerland and the influence of the closest countries to them.
Is German or French more useful in Switzerland? ›
German is the most widely spoken language in the country, with 19 cantons that are predominantly German-speaking, that means around 64% of the Swiss population. French is the official language in four cantons, all of which are located in the western part of Switzerland.
Is English widely spoken in Switzerland? ›
Across all age groups and all language regions, English was the most commonly used nonnational language in Switzerland in 2019, with 45% of the population reporting that they regularly used it. In contrast, only 39% of the population said they regularly used French, and only 15% Italian.
Is it better to learn French or German to live in Switzerland? ›
The four French-speaking cantons are Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel, and Vaud. That said, French is also spoken in the three bilingual cantons of Bern, Fribourg, and Valais, along with German. Therefore, if you are planning on living in one of these areas, then learning French in Switzerland is an obvious choice.
Is English well known in Switzerland? ›
English is the most commonly spoken non-national language in Switzerland. It is regularly spoken by 45 percent of the population in Switzerland although it is more prevalent in German parts of the country than French and Italian.
