DIGLOSSIE IN DEUTSCHSCHWEIZER SPITÄLERN. Studie zu Sprachgebrauch und Spracheinstellung von MitarbeiterInnen

Abstract

The concomitant presence and usage of two varieties of German, namely Swiss German and Standard German, is characteristic for German-speaking Switzerland. This linguistic situation is mirrored in the region’s hospitals or, more strictly speaking, in their staff‘s communication. This study aims to examine the awareness of the usage of the two varieties in hospitals in German-speaking Switzerland, taking into account both authochthonous and allochthonous employees. The questions formulated to find out are as follows: Which variety is used when, according to which criteria, by authochthonous versus allochthonous employees? What subjective reasons are given for the choice of one variety over the other? To answer these questions, data was collected with the help of an online questionnaire and six guideline-based, in-depth interviews. The results show four different selection criteria (addressee, situation, objective, and region) for using one or the other variety. Moreover, the reasons given for the choice of variety revealed that both Swiss German and Standard German are attributed individual functions and characteristics.