Swiss German in Transition – How the Use of the Language Is Changing
- Sprecher Andy Zimmermann
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Dialect isn’t just a sound to me – it’s identity, warmth, and trust. As a professional voiceover artist specialising in Swiss-accented German, Bernese and Zurich dialects, I live and breathe the subtleties of our linguistic culture – bringing them to life for my clients, whether in the booth or via live stream sessions. The new app from the University of Zurich – “Nöis Gschmöis” (literally “something new going on”, a playful Swiss German expression) – explores how Swiss dialects are changing and offers fascinating first insights into this evolution.
From language atlases to dialect apps
In the past, linguists hauled recording equipment across remote villages, interviewing farmers in their kitchens and painstakingly mapping every “Chuchichäschtli” (a classic Swiss word meaning “kitchen cupboard”, often used to test pronunciation) by hand. The result was the Linguistic Atlas of German-speaking Switzerland – a treasure for researchers, though mostly found in archives.
Today, it’s far simpler. With «Nöis Gschmöis» , a team at the University of Zurich gathers speech data straight from everyday life. Anyone can take part – no phonetics exam required, just pick up your phone and speak.
Do you say “Öpfel” or “Öpfu”?
The app asks users to choose between typical dialect variations: “Do you say ‘Öpfel’ (apple, Zurich-style) or ‘Öpfu’ (apple, Bernese-style)? ‘5 Männer’ (five men, Standard German form) or ‘5 Manne’ (five men, dialect form)? Should the dog ‘folge’ (to follow, Zurich pronunciation) or ‘fouge’ (to follow, Bernese pronunciation)?” At the end, you’ll discover where in Switzerland people speak most like you do – a charming dialect quiz with genuine scientific value.
Where ‘Manne’ used to be the norm, the High German ‘Männer’ is now common in many regions – clear evidence of Germany’s growing linguistic influence on Swiss speech.
Change is part of the game – even in dialects
Researchers agree: our dialects aren’t disappearing; they’re evolving. Structures, melodies, and many signature sounds remain intact, while individual words adapt to modern usage. That’s a good thing. Language lives and breathes. And as a voice artist, it’s my craft to sense that evolution and translate it authentically into voice.
Dialect builds connection
We notice it every day – just a few words on the phone and someone says, “Ah, du chunsch au us Züri” (Ah, you’re from Zurich too!). Dialect connects. In a world that’s becoming increasingly standardised, it brings individuality back into communication.
Why AI can’t quite master Swiss German
AI-generated voices? In High German – surprisingly strong. In Swiss German – often a linguistic and phonetic catastrophe. Too random, too inconsistent, and frequently just wrong.
For advertising or corporate videos, that’s a deal-breaker. These formats rely on emotion, credibility, and cultural nuance. Only a real voice with a genuine local dialect can deliver that – naturally, engagingly, and persuasively.
In conclusion
I work with language that’s alive – every single day. That’s why I find “Nöis Gschmöis” so inspiring: the app reveals just how diverse and dynamic our Swiss dialects are, and how much personality they carry. If you’re looking for a professional voiceover with a Swiss touch, you’ll get more than just a voice – you’ll get authenticity, sensitivity, and the right feel for your message and audience.