Chronicles of an Anglo Swiss

FOWC with Fandango: Conversation

01/03/2025 18:31

On one of my annual journeys to London in the earlier days. Here I am on the left, about 40 years younger, with my aunt Lil and my eldest son Patrick, many years ago. The conversation was probably in cockney English, even my kids understood English, although Patrick was actually autist.

Otherwise when I married Mr. Swiss we spoke mainly english which he could speak perfectly, although he was German Swiss. However, eventally the kids arrive and we had a Swiss family, and I discovered that speaking Swiss German was more effective than English. Mr. Swiss and I eventually spoke mainly Swiss German, although now and again some english would break through into the conversation.

My neighbour is basically Australian but grew up in the Swiss French part of Switzerland and if his father is visiting, I use my French to speak with him, although my French is more luck than judgement. I tend to speak the language that the others prefer. I just enjoy speaking in a foreign tongue. Having so many languages in Switzerland you tend to speak a bit of everything. I can manage with Italian. I discovered that the Italian vocabulary is very similar to English. Just add an “o” or “a” at the end of the word and you are usually there.

Now I am living alone with my son, so conversation is no longer a big part of the day. I must admit I do miss a good conversation sometimes, but I stick my nose in a book and follow the conversations there. What do I read, if an english author, english – if a German author, German. And if a French author – no, too many problems.