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| Where do you come from? The US, UK, Australia, NZ? Do they offer German or French or Italian language forms and services as normal? Would you expect them to? Demand them to? | |
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I absolutely would expect them to if German was the second most widely spoken language of the world and THE language of international business. One example being the availability of documentation and legal forms in Spanish in many US states. Anyways if you read through the posts you will see my argument for greater incorporation of English. It is based on making Switzerland more competitive. I do not think for one moment it would be right to be greeted in English in the local Coop. I do however think it not beyond the wit of the Swiss to produce key legal documents in English.
A little Google research lead me to this
http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/front/Ma...rss=true&ty=st article. In this study, conducted by Swiss professionals, and initiated by the Swiss Government entitled "The diversity of languages and linguistic capacities in Switzerland" conclusions include:
- Researchers have suggested making English a semi-official language in Switzerland as a way of attracting more foreign professionals to the country.
- They found that Switzerland needed to step up its translation services, especially in some basic situations, such as for foreign patients undergoing treatment in a hospital.
- Well-qualified foreigners only tend to stay in Switzerland for a couple of years, not always enough time to learn a national language, the study says. Making more legal documents and forms available in English would make their life easier and boost recruitment.
All similar points to those I made earlier. These are the points of Swiss nationals. Where I come from is unimportant.