The Romansh Language and the Landscape of Lower Engadine

23 July 2024

The annual Romansh course in Vallader started again on 22 July in Scuol (canton Graubünden). Lia Rumantscha, the course organiser, counted 153 participants from home and abroad this year!

The Romansh language is expected to attract increasing interest in Switzerland and abroad. The annual National Romansh Language and Culture Week (Eivna (Emma) rumantscha) indicates this development.

Other places in Graubünden also host courses in one of the other Romansh idioms (Puter, Surselvan, Surmeiran or Sutselvan), not only by the Lia Rumantscha but also by different organisations.

Raising awareness of diversity, respect for other languages and cultures, and the functioning of a multicultural society is one of the foundations of multilingual Switzerland.

Thirty years ago, little interest (and thus money) was available at a national (and regional) level to support and develop the Romansh language and culture.

Romansh-speaking residents also lost their involvement because of new media, tourism, lack of employment and career possibilities at home and the influx of businesses and projects from other language regions and countries.

Scuol

Young people left the region because of studies or work and often did not return. But even among this group, the Romansh language and culture are rapidly gaining prestige and status.

Breil/Brigels (Surselvan): Stai si, defenda romontsch, tiu vegl lungatg (Stand up, defend Romansh people, your old language! Giacun Hasper Muoth (1844-1906)

Today, children sing, play, study, and speak Romansh again in the villages’ streets, homes, and schools, and it is (again) an identity to be proud of for adults and adolescents.

The Lia Rumantscha also assists in setting up local Romansh organisations, mainly in German-speaking Switzerland, but with imminent expansion into French- and perhaps Italian-speaking Switzerland.

The Lia Rumantscha (in cooperation with the Uniun dals Grischs) is also organising its annual course on Romansh (Vallader) in St Mustair from 7 to 11 October.

And with good reason. Romansh is one of the oldest living languages in Europe and a direct descendant of (vulgar) Latin and its Raethian predecessors.
Moreover, it is a beautiful, melodious language that fits well with the region’s musical and cultural landscape and natural beauty.

(Further information: www.liarumantscha.ch)