First book in the original post.
Thought it might be helpful for somebody, I found the link on the net

http://ifile.it/oakwrm1/230625___pswg_-_compact.rar

Could you please let us know what this document contains? One must sign up if you want to download it...

Yeah, as I said first book on the original post, which is
Pimsleur compact Swiss german (audio language course CDs). No you don't need to sign up to download this.
1. You'll see the upper left corner "Request download link" if you click on the link i posted
2. Click on that "Request download link", wait until "download" appears
3. Click on "download" and that's it. It's 10 .mp3 files. I've just finished listening them, found it very basic though.

This only applies if you're opening the link with Internet Explorer. Firefox, especially equipped with AdBlock Plus, opens the site completely different.

Well, this thread has already contradicted what somebody else posted in another thread which said that Swiss-German (or Alemanic?) was NEVER written down. Now I read that there are TEXTBOOKS in it?

If there IS a written version of this language, and most Swiss in the German-speaking cantons actually prefer it to High German, which hasn't somebody standardized it and started teaching in in Suisse Romaine and Ticino?

Edward J. Cunningham
Derwood, MD

Because there isn't a written version of the various dialects that make up Swiss German: There are several!

And I'd like to see anyone try to persuade the Baslers, the Bernese, the Zurchers and the Wallisers to come together to agree on anything pertaining to a standard language. Let alone the half-savage inhabitants of cantons Schwyz and Uri...

Book lernin' aint evrythin', you know!

Maybe there isn't A written version. But if people in such-and-such town DO write down things in THEIR Swiss-German, that makes it easier for outsiders (and by "outsiders" I mean fellow Swiss in neighbouring Cantons) to learn it.

People write out the way their own dialect sounds, and not everyone writes the same dialect the same way, but they understand each other quite enough that standardization isn't necessary. Few (if any) Swiss are interested in learning another dialect, whether written or otherwise, any more than a Scot really wants to learn to speak "English" like a Texan. It just isn't done.

I think it is time someone told the truth about learning the lingo. I imagine everyone here will disagree, but it is a free thinking forum, so here goes

http://fabooks.wordpress.com/

yor, if you want to speak to someone, why would you learn German? I am battling to learn schweizer deutsch, lyder I'm not immersed in it. I find kids helpful and also when I keep making a fool of myself and asking native speakers to "Vear Beata" they are very patience and when you show that you really want to learn by getting an insight into its diversity and asking them stuff, like why do they call a fridge a cool box using the German cabinet word rather than their gorgeous chass-schtli word? and crasy things like does the moosli usa muslee?, then the native speakers appreciate that I am trying. I appreciate that it will be a long process, but I am starting with the schweizer deutsch beforeany German.

I found the Pimsleur excelent from a zero base (me), wished they would have a few more levels. The method and logic works. I could order coffee and a menu in 4 days.

Hi, is this swiss german? -- "Du nännsch Dich Illusionischt oder hesch de Aaspruch minimal gschruubet"

Alemannic German is swiss german or one of the dialect?

Does anyone knows how i can learn this dialect from? any online audio or tutorials?

thanks in advance!

HI - if you googel "pimmsleur swiss german" you will get their downloadedable audio course - I am listening every day to get better at the rrrrr's and the nuances of the sounds, it is excellent, theor method and repetin works well, as I said previously I will they had another level as I can order cofee and pizza now and tell you where I work and live but that's it,......oh and my favourite work is...."schlaaarrrcht" it means 'bad', usually in reference to the weather. But I SO love CH that a fog in rainy day is a blessing to me. Am soooo exicited, we are going 'home' there in early April. Do let mek now if you find something else as well, .......oeef veeta looerger

Grüezie mitenand!

I have a couple of questions for everybody here... I and a couple of other education-oriented suissophiles are interested in developing a Swiss German audio course that goes beyond Pimsleur and really helps people speak and understand Schweizerdeutsch.

1. What features should be a part of such a course?
2. Which regional dialect should be used? Zurich? Basel? Bern? A mix? Should native speakers from all over Switzerland be used, or should we just stick to one?
3. Is there still a need for more resources for Swiss-German learners?

About me: I'm a young teacher in California who has spent enough time in Switzerland to speak & understand the Mundart fairly well. I have experience developing online and multimedia educational materials, and I know some Swiss natives that are interested in working with me on this project to help people learn Swiss German...I hope that my questions are appropriate for this forum!

Grüezie
Excellent idea, Pimseleur has been just great, but it has been like coming to a cliff edge, there is nowhere else to go. It has been very helpful and Swiss folks we have met have seemed to appreciated my trying. The dialect thing seems to be quiet different, from what I can tell, Pimseleur is more Bernish than Zurich, I would suggest that you include both sounds so people can be aware of the difference.
Being able to teach a bot about the sentence structure/ grammar would be good.
Providing a vocab and how it sounds .
A vocab of everyday words, as in shopping, transport, daily living, I guess like a usual phrase book, however one of the issues is that one may be able to say something/ask a question, but recognising the reply is also a trick.
Having the people on the audio repeat tshe line 3 or 4 times is good,
Having an Australian accent behind what I am saying also seems to catch people by surprise,
while people say to learn german 1st, I have found it more personal to learn some SG and it is a nice ice breaker and way to introduce or comment on the weather when one passes people on a walking path. It really adds to the experience for me to use a small amount, even if badly, in SG. Hope this helps - I am happy to be your guinea pig.

Here's a thought - you could do something like this I phone apps that Emirates have done in German, French and Arabic, it's hysterical getting ones mouth photo right so I used my dog's mouth instead ha ha. But us has useful phrases that one can keep learning through pressing the repeat over and over
http://www.emirates.com/fr/english/d..._ilingual.aspx

I was able to download for FREE LEGAL copy of Pimsleur compact Swiss German (audio language course CDs) from my Public Library in Arizona. I was LEGALLY allowed to burn CDs and transfer them to my MP4 player.

I think alot of libraries now have online, downloadable audio langauge programs.

Because a possible future Swiss employer told me to learn High German instead, l have also downloaded a very good free German language audio program that I practice to while driving and jogging.

I would highly recommend checking out your local library- I got the idea from my daughter whom is teaching herself Korean from CD's she got from the library. I am lazier and did it all online- without even leaving my house!

Do you have any good resources for Swiss Italian self teaching audio CDs? Would learning straight Italian be good if you want to move to the Canton of Tocino? Would they understand German/Swiss German in Tocino?

hey

thanks for your help
that's exactly what i was looking for
i hope i can find german course !

i live in bischofszell and i'm looking for something near my town

Thanks Grumpy, looks really useful. I might try to find a copy of this when I visit Zurich next week to look at places to live.

Also I will try to make it to Thurs night drinks at the Viadukt market to meet some real EF'ers!

Diggdog

It is a great reference, quite diverse, though several of my Swiss friends have said to be careful as some of the translations are inappropriate, ie not polite to use. Its interesting how langauge relates to the country itself, ie 4 different words for "steep". Also it is very regional of course and some words were not recognised at all by my friends, Zuri and Geneva. But it has been great for me, the verbs especially.