Walser

A language of Switzerland

Walscher

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

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

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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

User Population

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

Language Status

6b* (Threatened).

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Italy

Language NameWalser

User Population

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.

Language Status

7 (Shifting).

Language Use

Religious services. Adults only. The parent generation may or may not speak the Walser dialects, but it does not appear that they are passing it to their children if they do (Dal Negro 2014). Shifting to Italian [ita]. Also use 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

User Population

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

Location

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

Alternate Names

Walscher

Language Status

6b (Threatened).

Language Use

Some young people, all adults.

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Walser

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A language of Switzerland

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