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| People from southern Germany, especially from Baden Würtenberg, normally understand Swiss German as it is relatively similar to their own dialect.
As far as Italian is concerned the Ticinesi speak their own dialect which is as different from "high" Italian as is Swiss German from high German. | |
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Calvin,
there are many dialects that are spoken in Ticino, and especially if you are near the tyrol boarder, the dialect becomes a lilting mixture of northern italian and german.
It is normal to have dialects in different areas, however, when you go out on the streets, shops, schools, etc. it is Italian like in Italy that is spoken.
This is very different from the Swiss German dialect, that is profusely used by everyone in general. Even in the schools, the teachers speak to their students in Swiss German while reading High German Text. This is the reason why the Swiss Germans do not know 'German' that well. There are many students who, trying to enter the Kantonschule, need to take extra lessons in the German language so that they can pass the entrance exams.
In general, Swiss Germans feel inferior to those who use high German; they have a chip on their shoulder about it.