Language at Play in Basel

A short summer break in Switzerland became a (re)discovery of some lovely Swiss German words. The friendly greeting of “Grüezi” is an abbreviation of “Gott grüez i” or in standard German “Gott grüß euch” (“May God greet you”). The many times a friend from Bern said “Merci vilmal” – “Thanks” (French) “very much” (Swiss German) – reminded me that this Dreiländereck is the tripoint where Switzerland borders France and Germany.

Advertising

Several fun advertisements caught my attention. Firstly, this one for oat milk (with “50% less carbon dioxide than cow’s milk”) is for those wanting to save (sparen) CO² when making a coffee, aka being baristas.

This train advert describes a supermarket salad in standard German as being “Fresher than flirting in the train” with “Fresh bowls every day”.

Finally, Basel residents and visitors are encouraged to take a relaxing river swim with a pun based on Rhy, the Swiss German word for the Rhine. Specific swimming times when a lifeguard is on duty make this a fun activity for all ages.

Food and drink

Swiss cuisine is also a treat. Start your day with Birchermüesli, now simply called muesli in the UK, and a choice of wonderful cheeses from Emmental and Gruyère to Vacherin and Appenzeller. Don’t forget your giplfeli (croissant(s)) and a kafi (coffee or Kaffee in standard German). Rösti (fried grated potatoes) also used to appear at breakfast, but are now more common with lunch or dinner. Basler Läckerli (lecker meaning ‘delicious’ in standard German and ‘-li’ indicating a diminutive) is a traditional hard, spiced biscuit made of honey, hazelnuts, almonds, candied peel and Kirsch (cherry liqueur).

Sightseeing

Each hotel guest currently receives a BaselCard making wi-fi and local public transport (trams, buses and regional trains) free with Basel’s many museums half price. The vast Kunstmuseum (art museum) is both eclectic and striking. Tracing the region’s Roman roots in Augusta Raurica and admiring Jean Tinguely’s kinetic fountains are other highlights along with wandering the cobbled streets of Basel’s old town. So, I was sad to say “Uf Widerluege” (“Auf Wiedersehen” or “Until we see each other again”) as the week came to an end.