Swiss-German Language

[DJC]

So which idiot came up with this?

[Hugo a Gogo]

it's embarrassing, as a foreigner, to have to ask "do you speak proper German?"

[JMGS4]

Hugo a Gogo said:

it's embarrassing, as a foreigner, to have to ask "do you speak proper German?"

Best way to out yourself as a Sauschwob! or as someone who has no rspect for their "language". Try, and it's easy (mostly).

Edited by JMGS4 on Monday 3rd January 13:23

[phelix]

Reminds me of the classic joke...

Q. What do you call a person who can speak 3 languages?
A. Trilingual

Q. What do you call a person who can speak 2 languages?
A. Bilingual

Q. What do you call a person who can speak one language?
A. British! (Or American)

Always good to make an effort; most people appreciate it, however bad it might be. Except perhaps the French.

[JMGS4]

When speaking to customers in CH I usually say "I'm sorry I don't speak Schwiitzerdöötsch but I understand it, so please do not speak Hochdeutsch just for me" usually meets with happy acceptance or even them straining with occasional breaks into Hochdeutsch...

[Whitean3]

If you can fit a couple of pool balls into your mouth, do this, then speak high german. Voila, perfect Swiss german, just like the natives!

Swiss German to high German is like geordie to Queen's English!

[Valentin]

DJC said:

So which idiot came up with this?

I find your remarks highly offensive as one of my mother languages is swiss german.
You obviously can't be of great intellect otherwise you'd know that the variety of languages in europe is something great.
There are dialects in your country that are as hard to understand for one who is not familiar with them as well.
The variety of german dialects was wider a couple of years ago. Only recently everyone seems to be talking in "proper german". This uniformity is a very sad development. The same applies for your country.
And what I can‘t understand at all is coming to a country and then at the first opportunity insult the inhabitants on a public forum..

Edited by Valentin on Tuesday 11th January 08:54

[Bruce Fielding]

Hey, it's almost like being on the English Forum!

He's not being insulting, it's a language thing, Valentin. Brits have a unique sense of humour. It's why we also have a go at the Welsh, the Cornish, Gaelic speakers, and all the other languages and dialects spoken in the UK.

As they say in Geordie-land "Calm down, calm down"

[Valentin]

I wrote that before my morning coffee. Was a bit harsh on my part, sorry about that.

[DJC]

Please tell me they do a sense of humour in Switzerland?

[Stu R]

DJC said:

Please tell me they do a sense of humour in Switzerland?

It's up there with their love of speedy driving in public.

[phelix]

They tolerate the English - proof of an excellent sense of humour.

[Bodo]

phelix said:

They tolerate the English - proof of an excellent sense of humour.

Considering it alone would already be excellent!

[Valentin]

DJC said:

Please tell me they do a sense of humour in Switzerland?

At least we aren't as bad as the germans (ok we are...) but we certainly aren't up with british humour. An apparently we don't get that one early in the morning
But don't let that put you down. Zurich is a great city and I think you will enjoy it. Have fun!!

[AndrewD]

Valentin said:

I wrote that before my morning coffee. Was a bit harsh on my part, sorry about that.

Don't apologise, I think you're right. We are guests in Switzerland and a little respect is in order IMO