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By GRETCHEN KAIJA
video) Last updated: JUNE 6, 2023
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Switzerland is a wonderful place to learn French outside of France!
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Whether you’re living there, planning a trip or just fascinated by the language of
the Romandy region, you’ll need to know some Joinof the key Users
1,000,000+ elements that make
Swiss French what it is.

This post will give you some background, essential vocabulary and lots of
listening and reading resources so you can yodel out perfect Swiss French like a
native.

Contents
French Influence in Switzerland’s History
How Many People Speak French in Switzerland Today?
How Is Swiss French Different from Standard French?
Spoken Swiss French
Swiss French Vocabulary
Numbers in Swiss French
 Learning Swiss French? 6 Ways to Get Real-world Practice Everyday
Swiss French News
SRG SSR
Radio Television Suisse
Podcasts in Swiss French
“L’humeur Vagabonde” (“The Wandering Mood”)
Swiss French Musicians and Bands
Sophie Hunger
Mama Rosin
Gotthard
Movies in Swiss French
“Jonas qui aura 25 ans en l’an 2000” (“Jonah Who Will be 25 in the Year 2000”)
“Dans la ville blanche” (“In the White City”)
“No Man’s Land”
“Bienvenue en Suisse” (“Welcome to Switzerland”)
“Ma vie de Courgette” (“My life as a Zucchini”)
Swiss French Books
“The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair”
“L’Ordonnance Respectueuse du Vide” (“Organizing the Void”)
“Why Switzerland?”

French Influence in Switzerland’s History

Largely due to its landlocked location—bordered by Germany to the north,
Austria to the east, Italy to the south and France to the west—Switzerland has
long been an area of dispute.

France’s occupation of Switzerland began at the tail end of the 18th century,
throughout the French revolution and civil war by troops under Napoleon.
Switzerland was formed into 22 member states defined by either conservative
catholic or liberal governments, which led to civil war in 1847. The French
language took root under the imposition of a French-influenced constitution in
the early 19th century.

However, following a period of heavy industrialization, German influence

became a threat to Switzerland’s independence during World War II. Perhaps to
the benefit of its current long-term stability and progress, Switzerland remained
neutral during this time.

Today, French influence is concentrated in the westernmost Romandy region of

Switzerland.

How Many People Speak French in Switzerland

Today?
Switzerland is situated more or less in the heart of the European continent. As
noted above, it’s bordered by Germany, Austria, Italy and France, meaning it sits
at the crux of the origin of three primary Germanic and Romance languages:
[Swiss] German, Italian and French.

The fourth national language of Switzerland is Romansh, which is spoken by less

than one percent of the populations living in a handful of remote vallées
(valleys) in the southeastern Alps.

Swiss French is spoken by about 20 percent of the population in Switzerland,

unsurprisingly concentrated on the west near the border with France. Most
people in Switzerland (about 70 percent) speak Swiss German, while about 7
percent speak Italian.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that
you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

How Is Swiss French Different from Standard French?

“It’s the same dish but the spices are different.”

This is how Andres Kristol, director of the University of Neuchatel’s Center for the
Study of Dialects and Regional French, characterizes the difference between
Swiss French and standard French. These “spices” include everything from
speaking pace to unique Swiss French words to the way people count.

Spoken Swiss French

Swiss French is slightly slower than standard French. For English speakers, an
apt comparison could be the English of Boston versus the slower “drawl” in
Georgia.

Swiss French Vocabulary

The Swiss French vocabulary, meanwhile, is a mélange (mixture) of other

languages present in Switzerland.

For example, while in France you might say, Je vais faire le ménage (I will do the
cleaning), the Swiss French might say, Je vais poutzer , which is a verb based
off of the German verb putzen, to clean.

Keep on the lookout for Anglicisms as well. While people in France might say,
Allons au salon de thé (Let’s go to the tea room/tea house) the Swiss French
would say Allons au tea-room.

There are plenty of other differences in Swiss and standard French vocabulary.
Here are some common examples you’ll encounter in Switzerland, with standard
French listed first, followed by the Swiss French equivalent and then an English
translation:

également; vous de même; vous aussi → pareillement (same to you; you

too)

promotion → action (special offer)

chewing-gum → chiclette (chewing gum)

serviette → linge (towel; note that linge in standard French means

“laundry”)

couverts → services (cutlery)

désordre → cheni (mess)

lycée → collège (high school; note that collège in standard French means
“middle school”)

distributeur → bancomat (ATM)

While the main meals in standard French are petit-déjeuner (breakfast), déjeuner
(lunch) and dîner (dinner), they’re understood in Swiss French as déjeuner
(breakfast), dîner (lunch) and souper (dinner). How’s that for mind
games?

When you enter a shop in France or Switzerland, if you indicate that you’re just
browsing, the French shop owner may say, Je vous en prie (“You’re welcome,”
otherwise meaning “Look freely”). But the Swiss French would say Faîtes
seulement (literally, “Do it alone,” otherwise meaning “Shop away on your
own!”).

Numbers in Swiss French

For anyone who has learned and relearned the French number system, I present
your saving grace: Swiss French numbers!

This is by far the best thing about Swiss French, and also rather symbolic of how
Swiss French differs from standard French… it’s simpler.
In standard French, the numbers 70, 80 and 90 are soixante-dix, quatre-
vingts and quatre-vingt-dix—which translate literally to sixty ten, four
twenties and four twenties ten. I did okay in math at school, but learning a
language is hard enough without having to do math, too!

In Swiss French, however, the numbers 70, 80 and 90 are septante , huitante
and nonante —which translate to something like seven-y, eight-y and
nine-ty. Now that’s more like it!

Many French people are familiar with this Swiss number system, so if you’re
having a brain fart, it’s absolutely okay to default to this method sometimes. But
still, practice your math, okay?

Learning Swiss French? 6 Ways to Get Real-world

Practice Everyday

Swiss French News

SRG SSR

SRG SSR is the Swiss Broadcasting Association, whose

name combines German-speaking Switzerland (SRG)
and French-speaking Switzerland (SSR) to bring radio
and television emissions to the country.

The site has, of course, news headlines, live radio

streaming and podcasts, among other publicly available
information translated into the four national languages
of Switzerland, as well as English.

Radio Television Suisse

Radio Television Suisse (RTS) is under the umbrella

management of SRG SSR. It’s a great place to find the
latest news headlines in Swiss French.

The site features short video clips as well as news

articles, and you shouldn’t be surprised to see that the
Swiss are quite attentive to world news. You’ll be able to
get the Swiss perspective on European and international
issues.

Watching news videos or reading articles is great for beginner language learners
because of the visual context offered in a video and the ability to search new
words you might find in an article. If you’re looking for news on a particular
subject, use the handy search bar!

Podcasts in Swiss French

“L’humeur Vagabonde” (“The Wandering Mood”)

“L’humeur vagabonde” is a humorous podcast

that chronicles the lives of various historical
figures and their accomplishments and affect on
society.

Episodes are available to stream on the Radio

Television Suisse (RTS) website. Based on
historical people and events, some vocabulary might sound strange in this
podcast, not to mention that some of its humor is hard to catch without full
cultural context. Again, this is a great resource for more advanced learners to
hone their ears.

Swiss French Musicians and Bands

Sophie Hunger

Sophie Hunger is one of Switzerland’s most favored singer-songwriters.

Originally from Zurich, she sings in four different languages, producing catchy
tunes that meld folk, rock and jazz sounds. Check out her albums Monday’s
Ghost and 1983, which both made the top charts in Switzerland.

Sophie Hunger generally draws out her clear and understandable Swiss French
with her honey-sweet voice, and some videos are available with subtitles to
follow along, too.

Mama Rosin

Mama Rosin is an emerging band that comes from Geneva, Switzerland.

The group combines Cajun and Zydeco influences to produce a funky rock fusion
sound. Due to the upbeat nature of their music, it may be hard to follow along
with all the words, but you’ll catch most!

Gotthard

Gotthard, a Swiss band that was extremely popular in the ’90s, became (and still
is) one of the most famous bands in Europe. Known for their hard rock and
contemporary rock, they were touring the world through 2012 with their album
Firebirth.

Though the group sings mostly in English, they’re a staple of Swiss culture and
often switch between speaking Swiss French and English in interviews like the
one above.

Movies in Swiss French

“Jonas qui aura 25 ans en l’an 2000” (“Jonah Who Will be 25 in the Year 2000”)

Alain Tanner, a Swiss film director, has made over 40 Swiss French films. The first
three listed below are available to stream on YouTube, and Tanner is most well
known for “Jonas qui aura 25 ans en l’an 2000″ (“Jonah Who Will be 25 in the
Year 2000”) and “Dans la ville blanche” (“In the White City”).

Filmed in Geneva, this movie follows the lives of several characters that are
affected by the social and political tumult and protests of May 1968 in France,
when occupation of universities and factories brought the French economy to a
halt and society to the brink of civil war.

This film is great for advanced French learners who are curious about Swiss
French culture and history.

“Dans la ville blanche” (“In the White City”)

Though filmed in Lisbon, this movie is most notable for the manner in which it
documents one lost soul’s “time out of time.” Following the floundering of a ship
engineer, Paul, this film has limited spoken dialogue, but certainly
communicates a great deal about the nature of the human soul and the mind of
the Swiss director.

Since the dialogue is limited, it’s great for someone who wants to transition to
watching films in spoken French without subtitles.

“No Man’s Land”

This film is another from Tanner. Though not his strongest, it provides an
intriguing commentary on the dynamic between Switzerland and France at the
time. The movie focuses on smuggling across the Swiss-French border and is full
of beautiful landscape scenes.

There’s a lot of social/relational conflict in this film, so it’s better for confident
French learners.
“Bienvenue en Suisse” (“Welcome to Switzerland”)

This 2004 comedy from Léa Fazer is about a man who inherits 2 million Swiss
Francs upon the death of his grandmother. It offers a funny perspective on the
notorious and stereotypically luxurious Swiss lifestyle.

Since it contains some sarcasm and is not available with subtitles on YouTube,
this film is best for more advanced French learners.

“Ma vie de Courgette” (“My life as a Zucchini”)

This colorful and sweet moral-driven film offers some beginner-friendly French,
along with a unique story and animation style.

It was nominated as Best Animated Film Feature for the 89th Academy Awards.
Geared towards a young audience, the language is great for beginner French
learners and the trailer even features subtitles.

Swiss French Books

“The Truth About the Harry Quebert Affair”

The 28-year-old Swiss author Joel Dicker creates a sort

of mise en abîme (“abyss,” or story-within-a-story) with
this novel about a 28-year-old author who makes it big
with his first novel.

Needless to say, Dicker became famous like his

character… and you just have to read it. The novel is
available in many languages besides French and has
even been made into a TV drama. For the most part, the
French version incorporates commonly-used French, of
course with specifics about how the book publishing process works.

“L’Ordonnance Respectueuse du Vide” (“Organizing the Void”)

This fantastical and poetic novel is as eerie as the title itself, and also provides a
strange and uncomfortably accurate picture of the world of tax havens. It follows
Modeste, who has just arrived at a strange city called “Z,” which exists at an
unclear place or point in time.

This book is available in both French and English, and the French can be a little
too poetic and metaphorical for beginning French learners.

“Why Switzerland?”

This nonfiction work is written in English, but is ideal for

anyone interested in learning more about Switzerland’s
history and politics. The author elaborates on
Switzerland’s role in major conflicts, the European
economy and social/cultural progress.

If you’re looking for more context about Switzerland and

Swiss French, pick up this book.

Switzerland, specifically the Romandy region, should absolutely be on your list

of Francophone countries in which to practice your French. Despite what some
people think, Swiss French is really not that different from standard French.
Having an understanding of Swiss French and Romand culture expands your
spectrum of French learning in the best ways… J’suis nonante-neuf pourcent
sûr! (I am 99 percent sure!)

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that
you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

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The Complete Guide to Core French Grammar Topics

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