My first thought on reading the question was that if I hadn't learned the local language I'd be a very, very lonely Longbyt. Who on earth would I talk to on a daily basis?

However, when I asked Mr L about it this morning, he said it wouldn't just be folk to talk to I'd be lacking - I might well be lacking a husband as he probably wouldn't have asked me to marry him anyway.

So I suppose the most accurate answer is that knowing the local language 'earned' me a husband, a family, a job, friends - in short, my life in Switzerland.