Lia Rumantscha demands more visibility for Romansh
25 years ago, the Swiss electorate recognized Romansh as a partial official language of the Confederation. Despite many advances in the promotion of the fourth national language since then, the implementation of multilingual communication on the part of the Confederation is often lacking. The Lia Rumantscha therefore calls for a more consistent use of Romansh in contact with the Romansh population.
The Lia Rumantscha, the umbrella organization for the promotion of Romansh language and culture, considers the status of a partial official language important for the preservation of Romansh. Since the vote on the language article in 1996, much has been done to promote Romansh, which the Lia Rumantscha gratefully acknowledges. For example, the federal government translates documents of particular importance, such as explanations of votes, into Romansh. If a citizen addresses the federal administration in Romansh, the administration responds in Romansh.
More visibility
However, the Lia Rumantscha sees a need for action in the implementation of multilingual communication on the part of the federal government. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the introduction of Romansh as a partial official language of the Confederation, it is calling for more consistent use of Romansh as an official language at the federal level: Parliament, the federal administration and federal-related companies must make greater use of Romansh in their communication and contact with the Romansh population.
Specifically, the Lia Rumantscha demands that Romansh be used throughout Switzerland for all types of signage. This applies wherever the other three official languages of Switzerland are listed. In the Romansh-speaking area, Romansh must also be used as a priority for information to the population and this on all communication channels.
"If Romansh is not used in the national context, it is increasingly forgotten," says Andreas Gabriel, Secretary General ad interim of the Lia Rumantscha, explaining the demand. In addition to the consistent use of Romansh, the Lia Rumantscha would like the federal administration and federal-related companies to pay attention to correct terminology in connection with the national or official languages. "Switzerland is quadrilingual or multilingual, but not trilingual," summarizes Andreas Gabriel.
To illustrate how simple it could be to help the Romansh language gain more presence, the Lia Rumantscha published a short animated film on the social networks these days. With a wink, the clip points out a glaring omission in the use of Romansh.
Support in parliament
National Councillor Martin Candinas, Die Mitte - CVP Graubünden, supports the demands of the Romansh language organization: "A small language like Romansh depends on being present throughout Switzerland." The federal government is obliged to do so, he adds.
Confederation sensitized
Exactly 25 years to the day after the 1996 vote, the Federal Administration, namely the Delegate of the Confederation for Multilingualism, is launching on March 10, in collaboration with the Lia Rumantscha A campaignto raise awareness of the Romansh language and culture among employees of the federal administration.
