Who Are the Romansh?
The Romansh are a Romance-speaking people of the Canton of GraubĂĽnden (Grisons) in southeastern Switzerland, numbering approximately 35,000-40,000 native speakers, with about 60,000 claiming some proficiency. They speak Romansh, a Rhaeto-Romance language that has been Switzerland's fourth national language since 1938. Romansh comprises five regional varieties (Sursilvan, Sutsilvan, Surmiran, Puter, and Vallader) plus the created standard Rumantsch Grischun. The Romansh inhabit the Alpine valleys of GraubĂĽnden, where they have maintained their Romance language despite centuries of German-speaking dominance in the canton and Swiss nation.
National Language Status
Romansh's recognition as a national language (1938) and partial official language (1996, for communication with Romansh speakers) gives it unique status among European minority languages. This recognition reflects Swiss multilingualism ideology and Romansh advocacy. However, national language status has not halted decline—Romansh speakers have decreased as a percentage of Swiss and even Graubünden population. German-language economic and educational dominance continues. The constitutional status provides symbolic recognition and some federal support for language promotion, but the practical challenges of maintaining a small language in a globalized economy persist.
Rumantsch Grischun Controversy
The created written standard Rumantsch Grischun (1982) aimed to unify the five regional varieties for official and educational use. It was designed to be equidistant from all varieties while remaining comprehensible. However, its introduction in schools has been controversial—many Romansh speakers prefer their local variety and see Rumantsch Grischun as artificial. Some municipalities have voted to return to regional variety instruction. This controversy highlights the tension between efficiency (one standard) and identity (regional varieties). Whether Romansh survives with five varieties or needs unification remains debated.
Contemporary Romansh
Modern Romansh speakers are fully integrated into Swiss society while maintaining language and cultural distinctiveness. The Lia Rumantscha coordinates language promotion; Radiotelevisiun Svizra Rumantscha provides media. Tourism is economically important in Romansh valleys like Engadin. Many young Romansh are trilingual (Romansh, German, English); some are losing Romansh as their first language. Emigration from mountain valleys to urban centers continues. How the Romansh maintain their language—Switzerland's smallest national language—amid demographic pressure and globalization while negotiating internal diversity represents their central challenge.
References
- Liver, R. (1999). Rätoromanisch: Eine Einführung in das Bündnerromanische
- Furer, J.-J. (2005). Die aktuelle Lage des Romanischen (FSO Report)
- Solèr, C. (2008). \"Language Choices in Romansh-Speaking Switzerland\"