Why do most peoplein Switzerland speak German?

Answer 1

The four languages of Switzerland are French, German, Italian, and Romansh. The first two are spoken, because Switzerland was once part of the kingdoms of the Alemanni and of the Burgundians. The Alemanni were German-speaking, the Burgundians French. Italian is spoken, because Switzerland was part of the Roman Empire under Tiberius I and his brother Drusus. Romansh is a group of dialects. It may be descended in part from Vulgar Latin from the time of the Roman Empire. It's related to French, Occitan, and Northern Italian.

Answer 2

German is technically not the main language of Switzerland. Switzerland has four official languages: German, French, Italian, and Romansh. The Majority of Swiss (approx. 60%) live in the German speaking regions, 20% speak French, 6% speak Italian, and around 1% speak Romansh. While German is the Official language in the German speaking areas of Switzerland, no one actually speaks Standard German (Hochdeutsch) in daily life. It is used as a written language primarily, and the spoken language consists of widely varying Swiss dialects (Schweizerdeutsch) of German which are significantly different than Standard German, and Germans usually find largely unintelligible. The dialects are also occasionally written, though usually only in very casual situations (i.e. internet forums, email, SMS)

Answer 3

The facts: 60% of the country is in the "German speaking realm of Switzerland."

5.9 Million have Swiss German heritage in a country of about 7.78 million.

70% of the population speak Swiss German but this number includes the French and Italian Swiss who learn their respective native languages first and are probably not fluent based on the fact that Swiss German comes from a different family (Germanic like English) of languages than the Romance languages of French and Italian.

So the majority of the population does in some way speak "Swiss German" but Swiss German is not mutually intelligible from standard German or many of the local German Dialects in Germany or Switzerland. It is my experience that Swiss Germans know at least 3 languages and sometimes 4 or 5 the 4 most popular being Swiss German, German, English and French with Italian being 5th and another uncommon language Romansh following but not necessarily 6th most learned being that the minority is so small.

Source: Living in Germany for a year, traveling around Europe and meeting Europeans at clubs, bars and university/college. I also met a French Swiss person.

Answer 4

Many people in Switzerland, but not all, speak a second language which they have learnt in school. This can either be another Swiss language (German or French), or it can be English.

Answer 5

No, they speak German, French, Italian, or Romansh.

Only a few people speak English as a second language learnt in School.