Language As A Political Tool
Switzerland’s four official languages, traditionally spoken in different regions of the country, are German, French, Italian and Rumantsch. There are clearly defined regions for all four official languages with slight overlapping of the territories (German in northern and central Switzerland, French in western Switzerland, Italian in southern Switzerland and Rumantsch in southeastern Switzerland).
Some statistics however showing a fairly high percentage of “other” languages used by immigrants from all over the world, but in reality none of these languages is understood by more than 2%. While some Swiss people think that the high immigration rate and the high proportion of immigrants’ children in Swiss schools are a danger to Switzerland’s cultural tradition and identity, others see multiculturalism as a desirable enrichment. Regardless of these political preferences one has to acknowledge that it is hard work for these children to master two or even three different languages long before courses in foreign languages start officially. Because the use of the official Swiss language of the region (German, French, Italian) is the only practical way to communicate when talking to native Swiss people or with immigrants from other countries.
Will the majority rule at the end? Is there a new language group that will overpower traditional ones and become more attractive to the country population due to economical or, say, political reasons?
All this is not specific to Switzerland, of course, one can see that in any other European city, which starts looking familiar for South regions of the US as well.
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