Switzerland

Summary

Official Name: Swiss Confederation
Population: 8,716,000
Principal Languages: French, Italian, Standard German
Literacy Rate: 99% (Roser and Ortiz-Ospina 2018)
International Conventions: CPPDCE (2006), CSICH (2012), ECRML (1992), FCPNM (1998), ICCPR (1966), UNCRPD (2006), UNDRIP (2007)
General References: Comrie 1987, Moulton 1988, Stephens 1976
Deaf Population: 10,000 (2014 EUD), but other estimates vary widely. Estimated 7,500 deaf signers in all cantons (Boyes Braem and Rathmann 2010)
Language Counts: The number of established languages listed for Switzerland is 13. All are living languages. Of these, 10 are indigenous and 3 are non-indigenous. Furthermore, 5 are institutional, 5 are developing, 1 is vigorous, 1 is in trouble, and 1 is dying. Also listed are 17 unestablished languages.

Languages

Albanian, Gheg aln: Users: 171,000 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Albanian, Gheg
Arabic, North Levantine Spoken apc: Users: 32,500 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Afro-Asiatic, Semitic, Central, South, Arabic
Arpitan frp: Bern canton: Bernese Jura; Fribourg canton: de la Broye, de la Glane, de la Sarine, de la Veveyse, and la Gruyere; Geneva, Neuchâtel, and Vaud cantons; Valais canton: d’Entremont, d’Herens, de Sierre de Monthey, Saint-Maurice, districts. Users: 7,000 in Switzerland (1998). Status: 8a (Moribund). Alternate Names: Patois, Romand Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, Southeastern
Bengali ben: Users: 2,000 in Switzerland (2018), based on nationality. Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Outer Languages, Eastern, Bengali-Assamese
Czech ces: Users: 11,000 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, West, Czech-Slovak
Danish dan: Users: 5,220 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, North, East Scandinavian, Danish-Swedish, Danish-Riksmal, Danish
Dutch nld: Users: 22,200 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, Low Saxon-Low Franconian, Low Franconian
English eng: Users: 4,733,000 in Switzerland, all users. L1 users: 483,000 in Switzerland (2018 census). L2 users: 4,250,000 (2018). Status: 4 (Educational). Alternate Names: Anglais, Englaisa, Englisch, Inglese Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, English
Finnish fin: Users: 3,930 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Uralic, Finnic
French fra: Fribourg, Geneva, Jura, Neuchâtel, and Vaud cantons. Users: 5,732,000 in Switzerland, all users. L1 users: 1,912,000 in Switzerland (2018 census). L2 users: 3,820,000 (Beck et al 2018). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1999, Constitution, Article 70(1)), co-equal with Italian [ita] and Standard German [deu] on the federal level. Alternate Names: Francese, Französisch, Français Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Oïl, French
German, Standard deu: Users: 292,000 in Switzerland (2013 census). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1999, Constitution, Article 70(1)), co-equal with Italian [ita] and French [fra] on the federal level. Alternate Names: Allemand, Deutsch, Tedesco, Tudestg Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Middle German, East Middle German
German, Swiss gsw: Widespread. Users: 5,200,000 in Switzerland (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 6,434,400. Status: 5* (Developing). Alternate Names: Alemanic, Alemannic, Alemannisch, Schweizerdeutsch, Schwiizertüütsch, Schwizerdütsch, Schwizertitsch, Schwizertitsch Mundart, Schwytzertuetsch, Schwyzerdütsch, Schwyzerdütschi Sprooch, Upper Alemannic Autonym: Schwiizerdütsch Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Upper German, Alemannic
Greek ell: Users: 8,420 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Greek, Attic
Hungarian hun: Users: 14,600 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Uralic
Italian ita: Graubünden and Ticino cantons. Users: 673,000 in Switzerland (2018 census). Status: 1 (National). Statutory national language (1999, Constitution, Article 70(1)), co-equal with French [fra] and Standard German [deu] on the federal level. Alternate Names: Italiano, Italienisch Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian
Kabuverdianu kea: Users: 2,100 in Switzerland (2015 Instituto de Apoio ao Emigrante). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Creole, Portuguese based
Kurdish, Northern kmr: Users: 35,100 in Switzerland (2000). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Iranian, Western, Northwestern, Kurdish
Lombard lmo: Graubünden canton: Bernina, Maloggia, and Moesa districts, south of Saint Moritz; Ticino canton. Users: 303,000 in Switzerland (1995). Status: 6a* (Vigorous). Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Italian
Portuguese por: Users: 210,000 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Portuguese-Galician
Romani, Sinte rmo: Scattered. Users: 21,000 in Switzerland (Johnstone 1993). Status: 5* (Dispersed). Alternate Names: Romanes, Sinte, Sinti Classification: Indo-European, Indo-Iranian, Indo-Aryan, Intermediate Divisions, Western, Romani, Northern
Romansh roh: Graubünden canton: Hinterrhein, Inn, Maloja, and Surselva districts. Users: 40,000 (2012 census). 1 canton. Status: 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Grisons Canton (2004, Grisons Cantonal Constitution, Article 3(1)). Alternate Names: Rhaeto-Romance, Rheto-Romance, Romanche, Romansch Autonym: Rumantsch Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Gallo-Romance, Gallo-Rhaetian, Rhaetian
Serbian srp: Users: 205,000 in Switzerland (2014 World Factbook). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Balto-Slavic, Slavic, South, Western
Spanish spa: Users: 140,300 in Switzerland, all users. L1 users: 124,000 in Switzerland (Instituto Cervantes 2019). L2 users: 16,300 (2019). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Western, Gallo-Iberian, Ibero-Romance, West Iberian, Castilian
Swedish swe: Users: 9,230 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, North, East Scandinavian, Danish-Swedish, Swedish
Swiss-French Sign Language ssr: Scattered. Fribourg canton: Delémont, Morges, Oron, and Zion; Geneva and Vaud cantons; Neuchâtel canton: La Chaux-de-Fonds. Users: 1,700 (Boyes Braem and Rathmann 2010). Estimated, less than 0.1% of total population of francophone Switzerland. 10,000 deaf signers in all of Switzerland (2014 EUD). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2002, Federal Parliament, Law on Equality for Disabled People). Alternate Names: LSF, LSF-SR, Langage Gestuelle, Langue des signes française, Langue des signes suisse romande Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Swiss-German Sign Language sgg: Scattered. Users: 5,500 in Switzerland (Boyes Braem and Rathmann 2010). Approximately 0.1% of total population in German-speaking areas. 10,000 deaf signers in all of Switzerland (2014 EUD). Total users in all countries: 5,540. Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2002, Federal Parliament, Law on Equality for Disabled People). Alternate Names: DGS, DSGS, Deutschschweizer Gebärdensprache, Deutschschweizerische Gebärdensprache, Natürliche Gebärde Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Swiss-Italian Sign Language slf: Scattered. Graubünden and Ticino cantons. Users: 300 (Boyes Braem and Rathmann 2010). Estimated, less than 0.1% of total population in Italian areas. 10,000 deaf signers in all of Switzerland (2021 EUD). Status: 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2002, Federal Parliament, Law on Equality for Disabled People). Alternate Names: LIS, LIS-SI, Lingua dei Segni Italiana, Lingua dei segni della Svizzera italiana Classification: Sign language, Deaf community sign language
Tibetan bod: Users: 1,430 in Switzerland (2000). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Sino-Tibetan, Tibeto-Burman, Western Tibeto-Burman, Bodish, Central Bodish, Central
Turkish tur: Users: 75,500 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD). Status: Unestablished. Classification: Turkic, Southern, Turkish
Walser wae: Graubünden canton: Albula, Hinterrhein, Plessur, Prattigau-Davos, and Surselva districts; Ticino canton: Bosco-Gurin; Valais canton: Simplon; 26 communities. Users: 10,000 in Switzerland (2004). Ethnic population: 21,900 (1980 C. Buchli). Total users in all countries: 22,780. Status: 6b* (Threatened). Alternate Names: Walscher Classification: Indo-European, Germanic, West, High German, German, Upper German, Alemannic

Languages by Status

1 (National)

French

[fra] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1999, Constitution, Article 70(1)), co-equal with Italian [ita] and Standard German [deu] on the federal level. 5,732,000 in Switzerland, all users. L1 users: 1,912,000 in Switzerland (2018 census). L2 users: 3,820,000 (Beck et al 2018).

German, Standard

[deu] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1999, Constitution, Article 70(1)), co-equal with Italian [ita] and French [fra] on the federal level. 292,000 in Switzerland (2013 census).

Italian

[ita] 1 (National). Statutory national language (1999, Constitution, Article 70(1)), co-equal with French [fra] and Standard German [deu] on the federal level. 673,000 in Switzerland (2018 census).

2 (Provincial)

Romansh

[roh] 2 (Provincial). Statutory provincial language in Grisons Canton (2004, Grisons Cantonal Constitution, Article 3(1)). 40,000 (2012 census). 1 canton.

4 (Educational)

English

[eng] 4 (Educational). 4,733,000 in Switzerland, all users. L1 users: 483,000 in Switzerland (2018 census). L2 users: 4,250,000 (2018).

5 (Dispersed)

Romani, Sinte

[rmo] 5* (Dispersed). 21,000 in Switzerland (Johnstone 1993).

5 (Developing)

German, Swiss

[gsw] 5* (Developing). 5,200,000 in Switzerland (2018 census). Total users in all countries: 6,434,400.

Swiss-French Sign Language

[ssr] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2002, Federal Parliament, Law on Equality for Disabled People). 1,700 (Boyes Braem and Rathmann 2010). Estimated, less than 0.1% of total population of francophone Switzerland. 10,000 deaf signers in all of Switzerland (2014 EUD).

Swiss-German Sign Language

[sgg] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2002, Federal Parliament, Law on Equality for Disabled People). 5,500 in Switzerland (Boyes Braem and Rathmann 2010). Approximately 0.1% of total population in German-speaking areas. 10,000 deaf signers in all of Switzerland (2014 EUD). Total users in all countries: 5,540.

Swiss-Italian Sign Language

[slf] 5 (Developing). Recognized language (2002, Federal Parliament, Law on Equality for Disabled People). 300 (Boyes Braem and Rathmann 2010). Estimated, less than 0.1% of total population in Italian areas. 10,000 deaf signers in all of Switzerland (2021 EUD).

6a (Vigorous)

Lombard

[lmo] 6a* (Vigorous). 303,000 in Switzerland (1995).

6b (Threatened)

Walser

[wae] 6b* (Threatened). 10,000 in Switzerland (2004). Ethnic population: 21,900 (1980 C. Buchli). Total users in all countries: 22,780.

8a (Moribund)

Arpitan

[frp] 8a (Moribund). 7,000 in Switzerland (1998).

Unestablished

Albanian, Gheg

[aln] Unestablished. 171,000 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD).

Arabic, North Levantine Spoken

[apc] Unestablished. 32,500 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD).

Bengali

[ben] Unestablished. 2,000 in Switzerland (2018), based on nationality.

Czech

[ces] Unestablished. 11,000 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD).

Danish

[dan] Unestablished. 5,220 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD).

Dutch

[nld] Unestablished. 22,200 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD).

Finnish

[fin] Unestablished. 3,930 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD).

Greek

[ell] Unestablished. 8,420 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD).

Hungarian

[hun] Unestablished. 14,600 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD).

Kabuverdianu

[kea] Unestablished. 2,100 in Switzerland (2015 Instituto de Apoio ao Emigrante).

Kurdish, Northern

[kmr] Unestablished. 35,100 in Switzerland (2000).

Portuguese

[por] Unestablished. 210,000 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD).

Serbian

[srp] Unestablished. 205,000 in Switzerland (2014 World Factbook).

Spanish

[spa] Unestablished. 140,300 in Switzerland, all users. L1 users: 124,000 in Switzerland (Instituto Cervantes 2019). L2 users: 16,300 (2019).

Swedish

[swe] Unestablished. 9,230 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD).

Tibetan

[bod] Unestablished. 1,430 in Switzerland (2000).

Turkish

[tur] Unestablished. 75,500 in Switzerland (2012 UNSD).

Maps

Liechtenstein and Switzerland

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Switzerland with respect to their level of language vitality. Each individual language that has an entry for Switzerland is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of vitality. The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level.
The vitality levels and the color coding of the bars match the scheme used in the guide on How many languages are endangered? In this scheme, the levels and colors are as follows:
- Dark green = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Light green = Stable (EGIDS 5-6a) — The language is not being sustained by formal institutions, but It is still the norm in the home and community that all children learn and use the language.
- Red = Endangered (EGIDS 6b-9) — It is no longer the norm that children learn and use this language.
These three summary levels have been derived by grouping levels in the Expanded Graded Intergenerational Disruption Scale (EGIDS), which is the more fine-grained scale that Ethnologue uses to assess the status of every language in terms of development versus endangerment; see the Language Status page for a description of the levels of that scale. See also the pages on Development and Endangerment for more discussion.
Language Status Profile
Full explanation
This graph shows the profile of languages in Switzerland with respect to their status of language development versus language endangerment. Each individual language that has an entry for Switzerland is included in the profile. The horizontal axis represents the estimated level of development or endangerment as measured on the EGIDS scale. (See the pages on Development and Endangerment for a fuller explanation.) The height of each bar indicates the number of languages that are estimated to be at the given level. Consult the Status listings for Switzerland in order to see the specific languages for each level.
The color coding of the bars matches the color scheme used in the summary profile graphs on the navigation maps for the site. In this scheme, the EGIDS levels are grouped as follows:
- Purple = Institutional (EGIDS 0-4) — The language has been developed to the point that it is used and sustained by institutions beyond the home and community.
- Blue = Developing (EGIDS 5) — The language is in vigorous use, with literature in a standardized form being used by some though this is not yet widespread or sustainable.
- Green = Vigorous (EGIDS 6a) — The language is unstandardized and in vigorous use among all generations.
- Yellow = In trouble (EGIDS 6b-7) — Intergenerational transmission is in the process of being broken, but the child-bearing generation can still use the language so it is possible that revitalization efforts could restore transmission of the language in the home.
- Red = Dying (EGIDS 8a-9) — The only fluent users (if any) are older than child-bearing age, so it is too late to restore natural intergenerational transmission through the home; a mechanism outside the home would need to be developed.
- Black = Extinct (EGIDS 10) — The language has fallen completely out of use and no one retains a sense of ethnic identity associated with the language.

Resources

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Digest of the languages of Switzerland ($149.95, 25 page PDF)

Switzerland

Summary

Languages

Languages by Status

Maps

Liechtenstein and Switzerland

Graphs

Language Vitality Profile

Language Status Profile

Resources

Contributions

Editorial Action