Swiss Voice Over Andy Zimmermann
Swiss dialects for voice recordings
Would you like to book a Swiss voice over for your international production? On this page I provide you an insight into the Swiss language culture.
When I receive production requests from German-speaking neighbors (Germany or Austria) or the international environment, they usually ask me for a voice over production in “Swiss German”. But Swiss German is not always Swiss German. On the one hand there are the regional dialects spoken in the German speaking part of Switzerland. These vary greatly from region to region and are usually not understood by our neighbors from Germany or Austria. On the other hand, there is what is known as Swiss Standard German. Every German understands this, but has a slightly different vocabulary due to the proximity to the French speaking areas in Europe.
The geographic language area of Swiss German resp. Switzerland
But when is a dialect spoken in media productions in Switzerland and when is Standard German or stage German spoken?
An explanation of the Swiss language culture in media productions
Most German production companies assume that the German-Swiss speak and write Swiss German and this is also reflected in the media. Here are a few facts about the Swiss language culture:
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Swiss German does not exist as an official language. The different dialects are only spoken, there are no spelling rules.
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Written communication is always in standard German. The exception is personal contact with acquaintances and friends in a casual exchange (e.g. with short messages). Then your own regional dialect is written freely interpreted.
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A "neutral Swiss German" is often spoken on television. Exceptions are news and approx. 50% of the commercials that want to broadcast an international / official character.
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Voice overs in German are almost always spoken by Swiss people with stage German experience. Because of the French influences and the special Helvetic vocabulary in standard German in Switzerland, speakers from Germany are rarely booked.
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In the case of national advertising in Swiss German, it is very important which dialect is used. In most cases, a mix between the dialects of Zurich and Berne is required, which is actually the dialect from Olten, Solothurn. Linguistically, this is the neutral center of German-speaking Switzerland and is viewed by the majority of Swiss people as “neutral” when it comes to media consumption.
This is how the regional dialects are perceived among the Swiss people
A subjective "relationship analysis" of the larger Swiss language regions:
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The dialect from Basel is not very well appreciated by the people of Zurich in particular, but also by most of the other cantons.
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Dialects from the eastern part of Switzerland (e.g. St. Gallen, Thurgau, Schaffhausen) are poorly liked by most Swiss.
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Because of the rather harsh dialect and the fast lifestyle in the rest of Switzerland, people from Zurich are considered conceited, but they are ideal for progressive communication!
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Bernese are considered slow because of their cozy dialect, but are appreciated by most.
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Most people like the dialect of Valais, but most German-speaking Swiss find it difficult to understand them.
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The dialect of Graubünden is popular with many, but it is somewhat associated with a mountain farmer image.
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Central Swiss (Lucerne, Zug, Schwyz, Uri, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Glarus) are considered pleasant and sympathetic.
This map impressively demonstrates the linguistic diversity in Switzerland. It was investigated how the remainder of an apple is named in the various cantons. Link to the iOS app . A publication by the University of Zurich.
The Swiss usually get along well with each other. However, it happens again and again that specific terms differ from canton to canton (see map). The dialects that are best understood in German-speaking Switzerland are spoken in the cantons of Zurich, Aargau, Lucerne and Zug.
About the author of the website
Andy Zimmermann is a freelance voice over artist for the Swiss dialects from Zurich, Bern German as well as High German.
Thanks to his own recording studio, he can efficiently produce a voice recording. Dialect-related audio samples can be heard on this subpage .
Get a quote
Andy Zimmermann will impress you as an off-voice. Simply fill out the contact form here and he will get in touch with you within 24 hours. Alternatively, you can start a Skype call directly from this page!
Thanks to his competent, fast and uncomplicated manner, you have a high-quality voice recording within a very short time that guarantees your product a professional appearance on the vocal level.
Possible forms of production - click on a topic to hear more!
Swiss German made fun of
An amusing song about the diversity of Swiss German can be heard on the album by Swiss artist Bligg. On it, self-confident dialect representatives engage in a verbal battle for the most Swiss dialect ;-)
Have fun with: "MundART"
The song can be heard on many streaming platforms, or purchased via iTunes.