Ferguson’s initial definition of diglossia describes the use of ‘two language varieties [that] exist side by side throughout the community, each having a definite role to play’ (1959, repr. 1972: 232). The relationship between the Swiss dialects (which will be referred to from hereon as SG) and Swiss Standard German (HG) has been characterized as ‘medial diglossia’, based on the HG for writing and SG for speaking dichotomy (see EDI 1989b: 101). As Rash comments, ‘the term “functional diglossia” is perhaps preferable, as it fits the situation whereby SG and HG are each allocated certain functions (1998: 50). Traditionally, the functions (or domains) of HG have been that of a Schriftsprache, acquired through the education system but also produced orally on formal occasions, in communication with non-SG speakers and in the media. SG has no ‘soziolektale Wertung’ (Linke, Nussbaumer & Portmann 2004: 347) and is therefore employed as an informal spoken variety by all members of the speech community. However, as Ammon states, ‘freilich bleibt Fergusons Diglossie-Begriff […] zu abstrakt, um alle Besonderheiten des Verhältnisses von Dialekten und Standardvarietät in der deutschsprachigen Schweiz […] zu erfassen’ (Ammon 285) and the increased use of SG has led to claims that ‘die Mundarten dringen heute in immer mehr Bereiche vor, die früher in erster Linie der Hochsprache vorbehalten waren, und zwar sowohl in schriftlichen wie im mündlichen Ausdruck’ (EDI 1989a: VII). In light of this, Ris suggests that ‘das gesprochene Hochdeutsch in der Schweiz im internen Gebrauch [fungiert] nicht mehr als komplementäre Sprachform im Sinne des Diglossiemodells […], sondern als Zweitsprache im Sinne des Bilingualismus-Modells, die man in gewissen Kommunikationssituationen mehr noch verwenden darf als verwenden muss’ (1990: 43). The following study has, for the most part, been based on empirical research undertaken between April and August 2004. Its aim is to investigate the extent to which we can ascertain SG is replacing HG in German-speaking Switzerland through an examination of its usage in relation to HG in the education system, written and oral communication and the media. Having done this, I shall look at attitudes towards the changes in SG use, linguistic competency and use of SG in the education system and media, in order to then conclude whether diglossia is still applicable here.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The empirical study: issues of data collection
2.1 The indirect method
2.2 The postal questionnaire
2.3 The respondents
2.4 Grouping the data collected
3. The use of dialect in relation to the standard
3.1 Dialect and standard in education
3.1.1 Primary and Secondary education
3.1.2 University education
3.1.3 Summary
3.2 Dialect and Standard in oral communication
3.2.1 Informal oral communication
3.2.2 Formal oral communication
3.2.3 Oral communication with non-SG speakers
3.2.4 Summary
3.3 Dialect and Standard in written communication
3.3.1 Formal written communication
3.3.2 Informal written communication
3.3.3 Summary
3.4 Dialect and Standard in the media
3.4.1 The written media
3.4.2 The audiovisual media
3.4.3 Summary
3.5 Conclusion
4. Attitudes towards dialect and standard
4.1 Attitudes towards change in SG use
4.1.1 Analysis of the results
4.1.2 Summary
4.2 Competency in SG and HG
4.2.1 Code-alternation
4.2.2 Vocabulary
4.2.3 Expression in SG and HG
4.2.4 Summary
4.3 Attitudes towards SG and HG in education
4.3.1 Analysis of the results
4.3.2 Summary
4.4 Attitudes towards the use of SG and HG on television
4.4.1 Analysis of the results
4.4.2 Summary
4.5 Conclusion
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
The primary objective of this study is to investigate whether the increased usage of Swiss German (SG) and the shifting attitudes towards it indicate that dialect is replacing Swiss Standard German (HG) within the diglossic framework of German-speaking Switzerland. The research explores the functional distribution of these two varieties in education, communication, and media.
- Functional roles of Swiss German (SG) vs. Swiss Standard German (HG)
- Impact of informalization on oral and written communication
- Generational differences in dialect usage and linguistic attitudes
- Perceptions of identity and prestige regarding variety choice
- Linguistic competency and code-alternation dynamics
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.2 University education
What is the situation, however, in universities in German-speaking Switzerland, which must to larger extent take into account the presence of non-SG speakers? 100% of respondents in the 10-30 age group who are currently studying at university level declared that they would present a seminar project in HG. Furthermore, all formal lectures are conducted in HG, although ‘Professor/in und Student/in in der Sprechstunde oder Wissenschaftler im Labor [sprechen] durchaus Dialekt miteinander’ (Ammon 1995: 293). However, despite formal lectures being conducted in HG, there is a growing trend for the use of SG at university level. Ris notes, ‘an Universitäten dringt […] die Mundart schon in Arbeitsgruppen und in von einem Dozenten geleitete Kolloquien ein, wenn nicht gerade auf fremdsprachige Teilnehmer Rücksicht genommen werden muss’ (Ris 1979: 45). Loetscher claims that this is because ‘die Schriftsprache im Zweier oder Gruppengespräch ohne formellen öffentlichen Rahmen [ist] jedem Deutschschweizer fremd’ (1983: 131).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the theoretical concepts of diglossia and the relationship between Swiss German and Swiss Standard German, establishing the research premise.
2. The empirical study: issues of data collection: The author outlines the methodology employed, focusing on the use of postal questionnaires to gather empirical data from the Swiss-German speech community.
3. The use of dialect in relation to the standard: This chapter examines the shifting traditional domains of SG and HG across education, oral interaction, written communication, and media.
4. Attitudes towards dialect and standard: The author investigates respondent attitudes toward changing patterns of usage, linguistic competency, and the preferred roles of SG and HG in public spheres.
5. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes findings, arguing that while SG usage has expanded, functional diglossia remains the most accurate characterization of the situation.
Keywords
Swiss German, Swiss Standard German, Diglossia, Sociolinguistics, Language Attitudes, Education, Media, Communication, Code-alternation, Identity, Informalization, Language Policy, Multilingualism, Regionalism, Speech Community
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this study?
The study examines whether Swiss German is displacing Swiss Standard German in German-speaking Switzerland, challenging the traditional "medial diglossia" model.
What are the primary thematic fields covered?
The research covers variety usage in education, oral/written communication, media, and the corresponding attitudes of the population.
What is the core research question?
The work seeks to determine to what extent the use of and attitudes toward Swiss German suggest a transition from a traditional diglossic model to a model where dialect replaces the standard.
Which scientific methodology is applied?
The author uses empirical research based on a postal questionnaire distributed to a diverse group of respondents across German-speaking Switzerland.
What topics are analyzed in the main body?
The main body evaluates actual usage patterns in classrooms, universities, workplaces, media, and personal digital correspondence, alongside respondents' perceived linguistic competencies.
How is the work characterized by its keywords?
The work is defined by themes of sociolinguistic change, the tension between informal dialect and formal standard, and the evolving identity politics within a diglossic society.
How does age influence variety usage according to the study?
The data suggests that younger generations are more inclined to use Swiss German in informal written communication, whereas the over-60 age group tends to adhere more strictly to the traditional standard for writing.
What is the author's conclusion regarding the future of diglossia in Switzerland?
The author concludes that despite an increase in SG usage, Swiss Standard German remains indispensable for formal functions, maintaining the relevance of a functional—albeit unstable—diglossic model.
- Quote paper
- Jonathan Morris (Author), 2005, To what extent does the use of Swiss German and attitudes towards this variety suggest that dialect is replacing standard in diglossic Switzerland, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/82942
