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Rumantschia

Federal Level
In Switzerland, the statuary measures concerning languages are art. 70 of the federal constitution and unwritten constitutional law as interpreted by the Federal Court. Freedom of language has different contents depending on whether it refers to the relation between private individuals or to the relations between private individuals and state.
In 1938 next to German, French and Italian, Romansh was recognised as national language, whereas German, French and Italian were declared the official languages of the Swiss Confideration. In 1996 the Swiss population approved the revised language article of the federal constitution. From that moment on, the Romansh language is regarded as partially-official language. This means that in intercourse with Romansh people, Romansh is regarded as an official language of the Confederation.
The new federal constitution (2000) now provides a constitutional basis for the Swiss Confederation to promote culture (article 69). The Swiss Confideration has to take into account the cultural and linguistic diversity when fulfilling its duties.
Further articles on the Romansh language retain that

  • important ordinances of the Swiss Confederation have to be translated into Romansh
  • choosing judges of the Federal Court the official languages have to be taken into account
  • judges and political parties have to stick to one of the national languages


Cantonal level
In Switzerland the singular Cantons have got the power to decide on their own official language or languages. The Canton Grisons is the only trilingual Canton (German, Romansh, Italian). The Romansh language law (2007) regards the reinforcement of multilingualism as a common aim of municipalities and cantons. In order to achieve this aim it regularizes:

  1. the use of the official languages of the Canton German, Italian and Romansh by the authorities (the Cantonal parliament, government, administration, cantonal courts).The proceedings in the Cantonal courts are on a par in all three official languages.
  2. how Romansh and Italian can be maintained and fostered:
    The canton gives financial aid to the Lia Rumantscha (LR), the Pro Grigioni Italiano (PGI) and the Agentura da Novitads  Rumantscha (ANR).The Canton can also financially aid municipalities, public corporations and private individuals.
  3. the principles according to which the three Cantonal official languages are adopted in the municipalities and in political circles:
    Municipalities with at least 40% of people belonging to the same language group are considered as monolingual municipalities. In these municipalities the long-established language is considered the municipal official language.
    Municipalities with at least 20% of inhabitants belonging to the same language group are considered as multilingual municipalities. In these municipalities the long-established language is one of the official languages.

    The percentage belonging to a specific language group is based on the data of the last census.
    The municipalities regulate the school languages according to the principles of this law. In monolingual municipalities the lessons are held in the official language of the municipality. In multilingual municipalities the lessons are held in the long-established language as first language. 
    In municipalities with at least 10% of people belonging to a long-established language group, Italian and Romansh must be offered during the compulsory school-days.