Re: Time Out for Time City Biel(D)-Bienne(F): Amish, Mennonites & Anabaptists


David Kohli wrote:
On 6 Mar 2006 14:59:52 -0800, "SWG" <swisswatchguy@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:


Does it mean that you and your children do not speak Swiss German any
more? Why that?

I do not speak Swiss German, but I know several words and phrases. I
took German in college, and am glad I did. My children, sorry to say,
wanted nothing to do with Swiss or German.

This also happens here with Swiss German families established in the
"real" French speaking part, i.e. Geneva, Lausanne and parts of
Neuchatel, in the second or third generation, as an unfortunate part of
the process of distinguinshing oneself from the parents.

When my Mom and Dad wanted to talk about something that they did not
want my brother and I to know, they spoke Swiss. Otherwise, I did not
hear much Swiss.

What we also practiced in our family. Of course, pretty soon our
children started to understand French, being in daily contact with
French speakers in the area.

Incidently, where in Switzerland does your family originate from?

Paternal Grandparents
Surname Kohli -- came from the Jura Mountains near France.
there are still plenty of Kohli in the area, French speakers
Surname Wenger -- came from Thun
there are plenty of Wenger all over Switzerland, scattered across the
language boundaries, the French speaking ones speaking their name out
the French way.

Maternal Grandparents
Surname Sprunger -- Came from Corgemontberg (la montagne de Corgemont), and Bern
still a surname well in existence in the area
Surname Neuhauser -- Came from Alsace Lorraine.
Typical Alsacian surname, which we do not come so often across in
Switzerland

Thanks for you questions. I had fun looking up family histories.
I am sure that you still would be able to find members of your family,
should you invest into some research.

.

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