Deutsch and Schwytzduetch
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Bill H.
I appologize for the mangled spelling the Schwizerdeutsch but I had to sound it out. I got to participate in a work-abroad program in the summer of 1984 and chose CH,even though I knew the Swiss dialect was really almost unintelligable to most german speakers. Well,it was a rude awakining at first,I called home and told my folks "I`m done for,they don`t even speak german!!" Written german was the same,of course,but the pronunciation and everything else was hard to follow. Luckily as a courtesy most people I came in contact with would revert to heavily accented "Schriftsdeutsch" when they detected my american accent. Little by little,however I began to understand, only parts and pieces but eventually,if I had known the person and they spoke their dialect I could fully understand what was being said! Crazy!! It would take a bit more work if I did`nt know the person. It was really bizarre to chit chat with the Swiss and see the Germans on holiday not following the dialect(but I did). Speaking Schweizerdeutsch was not recommened as nowbody could understand me. By the end of my summer intership I had picked up a heavy southern Swiss accent to my college german,all unconsciously. While in Berlin I was often mistaken for,not an Ami,but a Schweizer...now that was amazing! Does anyone have any expearience with the Swiss and their dialects? Thanks! More at : http://www.antimoon.com/forum/posts/8459.htm. |
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| My experience is that they all speak (or are supposed to speak) standard German. At least they learn it at school. |