Thread: What have you earned by learning the local language ?
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Old 09.02.2010, 13:00
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Re: What have you earned by learning the local language ?
Quote:
Captain Greybeard
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That may be true, but not if the native language is non-Alemannic German and you try to speak Swiss German. That usually sounds like you want to make fun of the Swiss and their language.

Germans are well advised not to try that unless they are absolutely fluent and have only a slight accent, which, of course, is difficult to achieve without talking with the Swiss in their caricature of German. Using seemingly Swiss German diminutives, especially "Fränkli" and "Räppli," can make you sound like a complete jerk. There is only ONE instance where "Fränkli" is allowed, and that occurs pretty rare.
Yep, sorry I meant local language as in Standard German not Swiss German (I was trying not to be German/French/Italian/Romansch area specific). Me trying to speak Swiss German definitely sounds like I am trying to take the p*ss (or I have been on the local schnapps), so it's best avoided...
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