Romansch

Romansch, also known as Romansh, is a Romance language spoken in the Swiss canton of Graubünden (Grisons). It is one of Switzerland's four national languages and has a protected status in the Swiss Confederation. Romansh belongs to the Rhaeto-Romance branch and is traditionally divided into five primary dialect groups: Sursilvan, Sutsilvan, Surmiran, Putèr, and Vallader. A standard form named Rumantsch Grischun was created in 1982 to unify writing and teaching, though many speakers continue to use their dialects in everyday speech.

Most speakers live in Graubünden; smaller communities exist in neighboring cantons and among the Swiss diaspora. Estimates of speakers vary, but current counts place them around 40,000 to 60,000. Romansh is used in education in some districts, in local government, media, and signage. National media include Radio Rumantsch and Televisiun Rumantscha, while the Lia Rumantscha organization coordinates language promotion and publishing.

Historically descended from Latin, Romansh began to take shape in the central Alps during the early Middle Ages. It faced declining transmission in the 19th and 20th centuries but has benefited from language planning and official recognition. In Graubünden, Romansh enjoys co-official status with German in many contexts, and the federal constitution recognizes Romansh as one of Switzerland's national languages.

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