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L O W L A N D S - L - 02 June 2011 - Volume 03<br><a href="mailto:lowlands.list@gmail.com" target="_blank">lowlands.list@gmail.com</a></font>
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<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font size="2">From: </font><span class="gI"><span class="gD" style="color:#00681c"><a href="mailto:mike.keach@gmail.com">mike.keach@gmail.com</a></span></span></p>
<p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><font size="2">Subject: </font><span class="gI">LL-L "Language politics" 2011.06.02 (01) [EN]</span><span></span><span></span></p><p style="margin:0in 0in 0.0001pt"><br></p>Beste Mitanand!<br>
<br>
Along this theme, consider Switzerland's odd predicament: Distinct and
unique forms of Allemanisch have been maintained in each and every
valley of that wonderful country. The two "standardized" forms are
Bernertüüsch and Zurirtüüsch - obviously from Bern and Zürich. But, get
down into the Berner Oberland away from the ski slopes and all bets are
off. Just by opening up your mouth, everyone knows what valley you're
from.<br>
<br>
Then, to muddy the waters to that of a slough, Schrifftüüsch and
broadcast German is that of what the Swiss dismissively refer to as "Der
Grosse Kanton". (Germany) Few actually speak it in everyday life, yet
they suffer it in print and on air. It isn't used in governance within
Rathausen throughout the country nor will you hear it in church. It's
quite amazing to me.<br>
<br>
It's terribly fascinating to study these forms and to muse upon what
German originally may have sounded like and how much those old dialects
have evolved independently of one another over the centuries - seemingly
unaware of the 2nd Sound shift that occurred North of the Alps.<br>
<br>
You may be interested to know that such oddities even occur here in
Florida! I live in Tampa and went very far south to the Everglades
between Naples and Ft. Lauderdale. Way out in the counytryside, away
from any civilization, I stopped for gas. Went inside to pay for it and
was presented with a barrage of patoit entirely incomprehensible to
these ears. I'm relatively good at identifying language sources but with
this I stood clueless. I merely nodded, smiled and handed the fellow
the money.<br>
<br>
I have lately assumed it was a mixture of native Seminole Indian and something else. But, there you are.<br>
<br>
En fin, I think these surviving dialects (if not most offshoot
languages) are around as a "glue" for national / communal identity. We
may know we're Global now and all that that business entails, but humans
DO like to associate with Like. I don't see regional or national
languages going away anytime soon.<br>
<br>
BTW: when discussing Switzerland above, I failed to mention the
Southeast corner which employs Romansch! They're as bad as those north
of the Rostitich. And those various dialects of Romansch date back to
vulgarized Latin brought up by the Romans, for goodness sake!<br>
<br>
~Mike von Tampadorf (who apologizes for being so long-winded . . . )<br>
<br>
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