Romontsch

The Rhaeto-Romanic language

Today, Romansh is spoken by around 19% of the population of Graubünden and 90% of the inhabitants of Disentis and Sedrun. Due to the former remoteness of many places and valleys, five idioms have developed.

The five idioms

Sursilvan: widespread in the Vorderrheintal and its side valleys (near Tujetsch and in Val Medel with the dialect Tuatschin). In the Imboden region (Il Plaun) with the villages of Domat/Ems, Rhäzüns, Bonaduz and Trin, Sursilvan was used as a school language for a long time, but the dialects of these communities belong to Sutsilvan due to their linguistic characteristics.

Sutsilvan: In areas of the Hinterrhein, namely in the mountain communities of Domleschg (Tumliasca) and Heinzenberg (Mantogna), as well as in Schams (Schons) and Val Ferrera.

Surmiran: Widespread in the Albula Valley, in the municipality of Vaz/Obervaz and in the Oberhalbstein (Surses).

Puter: In the Upper Engadine and in Bergün/Bravuogn, which is not geographically part of the Engadine and has a local dialect close to Surmiran.

Vallader: Widespread in the Lower Engadine and in the Münstertal (where the dialect known as Jauer is spoken).

Rumantsch Grischun

Rumantsch Grischun was developed in 1982 by Heinrich Schmid on the initiative of the then Secretary General of the Lia Rumantscha, Bernard Cathomas, as the common written language of the Romansh-speaking people of Graubünden. It has been the official Romansh language at cantonal level since 2001. The three most vital idioms Vallader, Surmiran and Sursilvan served as the basis for the development of the language. The linguist Heinricht Schmid was always looking for the greatest similarity between the three idioms.

Book tip

If you want to be able to say more than ‘Bien di’ or ‘Buna sera’, the book ‘Kauderwelsch’ will teach you Romontsch Sursilvan word by word. The book is available in our tourist offices.