Editing Romansh language (section)

=== Rumantsch Grischun ===
Early attempts to create a unified written language for Romansh include the ''Romonsch fusionau'' of Gion Antoni Bühler in 1867{{sfn|Coray|2008|pp=110–117}} and the ''Interrumantsch'' by Leza Uffer in 1958. Neither was able to gain much support, and their creators were largely the only ones actively using them.{{sfn|Coray|2008|p=130}} In the meantime, the Romansh movement sought to promote the different regional varieties while promoting a gradual convergence of the five varieties, called the "''avischinaziun''".{{sfn|Coray|2008|p=125}} In 1982, however, the then secretary of the Lia Rumantscha, a sociolinguist named {{ill|Bernard Cathomas|de}}, launched a project for designing a pan-regional variety.<ref>Cathonas 2023, pp.13-44.</ref> The linguist [[Heinrich Schmid]] presented to the Lia Rumantscha the same year the rules and directives for this standard language under the name Rumantsch Grischun (Rumantsch Grischun: ''rumantsch grischun'').{{sfn|Cathomas|2012|pp=37–42}} Schmid's approach consisted of creating a language as equally acceptable as possible to speakers of the different dialects, by choosing those forms which were found in a majority of the three strongest varieties: Sursilvan, Vallader, and Surmiran (Puter has more speakers than Surmiran but is spoken by a lower percentage of the population in its area). The elaboration of the new standard was endorsed by the Swiss National Fund and carried out by a team of young Romansh linguists under the guidance of Georges Darms and Anna-Alice Dazzi-Gross.{{sfn|Cathomas|2012|pp=43–45}}

The Lia Rumantscha then began introducing Rumantsch Grischun to the public, announcing that it would be chiefly introduced into domains where only German was being used, such as official forms and documents, billboards, and commercials.{{sfn|Coray|2008|pp=139–140}} In 1984, the assembly of delegates of the head organization Lia Rumantscha decided to use the new standard language when addressing all Romansh-speaking areas of the Grisons.{{sfn|Cathomas|2012|p=46}} From the very start, Rumansh Grischun has been implemented only on the basis of a decision of the particular institutions. In 1986, the federal administration began to use Rumantsch Grischun for single texts. The same year, however, several influential figures began to criticize the introduction of Rumantsch Grischun. Donat Cadruvi, at the time the president of the cantonal government, claimed that the Lia Rumantscha was trying to force the issue. Romansh writer Theo Candinas also called for a public debate on the issue, calling Rumantsch Grischun a "plague" and "death blow" to Romansh and its introduction a "Romansh Kristallnacht",{{sfn|Coray|2008|p=148}} thus launching a highly emotional and bitter debate which would continue for several years.{{sfn|Coray|2008|p=148}} The following year, Candinas published another article titled ''Rubadurs Garmadis'' in which he compared the proponents of Rumantsch Grischun to Nazi thugs raiding a Romansh village and desecrating, destroying, and burning the Romansh cultural heritage.{{sfn|Coray|2008|p=149}}

The proponents responded by labeling the opponents as a small group of archconservative and narrow-minded Sursilvans and [[Christian Democratic People's Party of Switzerland|CVP]] politicians among other things.{{sfn|Coray|2008|p=153}} The debate was characterized by a heavy use of metaphors, with opponents describing Rumantsch Grischun as a "test-tube baby" or "castrated language". They argued that it was an artificial and infertile creation which lacked a heart and soul, in contrast to the traditional dialects. On the other side, proponents called on the [[Romansh people]] to nurture the "new-born" to allow it to grow, with Romansh writer Ursicin Derungs calling Rumantsch Grischun a "''lungatg virginal''" "virgin language" that now had to be seduced and turned into a blossoming woman.{{sfn|Coray|2008|pp=387–394}}

The opposition to Rumantsch Grischun also became clear in the Swiss census of 1990, in which certain municipalities refused to distribute questionnaires in Rumantsch Grischun, requesting the German version instead.{{sfn|Coray|2008|p=154}} Following a survey on the opinion of the Romansh population on the issue, the government of the Grisons decided in 1996 that Rumantsch Grischun would be used when addressing all Romansh speakers, but the regional varieties could continue to be used when addressing a single region or municipality. In schools, Rumantsch Grischun was not to replace the regional dialects but only be taught passively.

The compromise was largely accepted by both sides. A further recommendation in 1999, known as the "Haltinger concept", also proposed that the regional varieties should remain the basis of the Romansh schools, with Rumantsch Grischun being introduced in middle school and secondary school.{{sfn|Coray|2008|p=183}}

The government of the Grisons then took steps to strengthen the role of Rumantsch Grischun as an official language. Since the cantonal constitution explicitly named Sursilvan and Engadinese as the languages of ballots, a referendum was launched to amend the relevant article.{{sfn|Coray|2008|p=173}} In the referendum, which took place on June 10, 2001, 65% voted in favor of naming Rumantsch Grischun the only official Romansh variety of the Canton. Opponents of Rumantsch Grischun such as Renata Coray and Matthias Grünert argue, however, that if only those municipalities with at least 30% Romansh speakers were considered, the referendum would have been rejected by 51%, with an even larger margin if only those with at least 50% Romansh speakers were considered. They thus interpret the results as the Romansh minority having been overruled by the German-speaking majority of the canton.<ref>Grünert et al. (2008). p. 368</ref>

A major change in policy came in 2003, when the cantonal government proposed a number of spending cuts, including a proposal according to which new Romansh teaching materials would not be published except in Rumantsch Grischun from 2006 onwards, the logical result of which would be to abolish the regional varieties as languages of instruction. The cantonal parliament passed the measure in August 2003, even advancing the deadline to 2005. The decision was met by strong opposition, in particular in the Engadine, where teachers collected over 4,300 signatures opposing the measure,{{sfn|Coray|2008|p=195}} followed by a second petition signed by around 180 Romansh writers and cultural figures,{{sfn|Coray|2008|p=204}} including many who were supportive of Rumantsch Grischun but opposed its introduction as a language of instruction.

Opponents argued that Romansh culture and identity was transmitted through the regional varieties and not through Rumantsch Grischun and that Rumantsch Grischun would serve to weaken rather than strengthen Romansh, possibly leading to a switch to German-language schools and a swift Germanization of Romansh areas.{{sfn|Coray|2008|pp=195–196, 203}}

The cantonal government refused to debate the issue again, instead deciding on a three-step plan in December 2004 to introduce Rumantsch Grischun as the language of schooling, allowing the municipalities to choose when they would make the switch.<ref>Cathomas 2023, pp. 140-158.</ref> The decision not to publish any new teaching materials in the regional varieties was not overturned at this point, however, raising the question of what would happen in those municipalities that refused to introduce Rumantsch Grischun at all, since the language of schooling is decided by the municipalities themselves in the Grisons.{{sfn|Coray|2008|p=210}}

The teachers of the Engadine in particular were outraged over the decision, but those in the Surmeir were mostly satisfied. Few opinions were heard from the Surselva, which was interpreted either as support or resignation, depending on the viewpoint of the observer.{{sfn|Coray|2008|pp=210–215}}

In 2007&ndash;2008, 23 so called "pioneer-municipalities" ([[Lantsch/Lenz]], [[Brienz/Brinzauls]], [[Tiefencastel]], [[Alvaschein]], [[Mon, Switzerland|Mon]], [[Stierva]], [[Salouf]], [[Cunter]], [[Riom-Parsonz]], [[Savognin]], [[Tinizong-Rona]], [[Mulegns]], [[Sur, Switzerland|Sur]], [[Marmorera]], [[Falera]], [[Laax]], [[Trin]], [[Müstair]], [[Santa Maria Val Müstair]], [[Valchava]], [[Fuldera]], [[Tschierv]] and [[Lü, Switzerland|Lü]]) introduced Rumantsch Grischun as the language of instruction in 1st grade, followed by an additional 11 ([[Ilanz]], [[Schnaus]], [[Flond]], [[Schluein]], [[Pitasch]], [[Riein]], [[Sevgein]], [[Castrisch]], [[Surcuolm]], [[Luven]] and [[Duvin]]) the following year and another 6 ([[Sagogn]], [[Rueun]], [[Siat]], [[Pigniu]], [[Waltensburg/Vuorz]] and [[Andiast]]) in 2009–2010.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Landesbericht Graubünden 2009 |trans-title=State report Graubünden 2009 |url=http://www.gr.ch/DE/publikationen/berichte/Documents/Landesbericht_2009.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924024213/http://www.gr.ch/DE/publikationen/berichte/Documents/Landesbericht_2009.pdf |archive-date=2015-09-24 |access-date=2014-02-27}}</ref> However, other municipalities, including the entire Engadine valley and most of the Surselva, continued to use their regional variety. The cantonal government aimed to introduce Rumantsch Grischun as the sole language of instruction in Romansh schools by 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-08-24 |title=Rumantsch Grischun bis 2020 an allen romanischen Schulen &#124; Schweizer Radio DRS |url=http://www.drs.ch/www/de/drs/streitpunkt-rumantsch-grischun/260253.208496.rumantsch-grischun-bis-2020-an-allen-romanischen-schulen.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120731170618/http://www.drs.ch/www/de/drs/streitpunkt-rumantsch-grischun/260253.208496.rumantsch-grischun-bis-2020-an-allen-romanischen-schulen.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 31, 2012 |access-date=2013-06-08 |publisher=Drs.ch }}</ref>

[[File:Rätoromanische Schulsprachen.png|thumb|Map of the situation in September 2013<br />
{{Legend|#00A400|Municipalities that had introduced Rumantsch Grischun as the language of instruction}}
{{Legend|#FF0000|Municipalities that used a regional variety as the language of instruction}}
{{Legend|#804000|Municipalities that had introduced Rumantsch Grischun but since decided to revert to a regional variety}}]]

In early 2011, a group of opponents in the Surselva and the Engadine founded the association [[Pro Idioms]], demanding the overturning of the government decision of 2003 and launching numerous local initiatives to return to the regional varieties as the language of instruction. In April 2011, [[Riein]] became the first municipality to vote to return to teaching in Sursilvan,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Riein: Sursilvan soll zurück an die Schule &#124; Schweizer Radio DRS |url=http://www.drs.ch/www/de/drs/streitpunkt-rumantsch-grischun/260253.280276.riein-sursilvan-soll-zurueck-an-die-schule.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120724151831/http://www.drs.ch/www/de/drs/streitpunkt-rumantsch-grischun/260253.280276.riein-sursilvan-soll-zurueck-an-die-schule.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 24, 2012 |access-date=2013-06-08 |publisher=Drs.ch }}</ref> followed by an additional 4 in December, and a further 10 in early 2012, including [[Val Müstair]] (returning to Vallader), which had been the first to introduce Rumantsch Grischun. As of September 2013, all those municipalities in the Surselva which had switched to Rumantsch Grischun had decided to return to teaching in Sursilvan, with the exception of [[Pitasch]], which, followed later.

Supporters of Rumantsch Grischun then announced that they would take the issue to the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-11-30 |title=News – Schweizer Radio und Fernsehen |url=http://www.tagesschau.sf.tv/Hintergrund/Abstimmungen/Abstimmung-vom-11.-Maerz-2012/Muenstertal-GR |access-date=2013-06-08 |publisher=Tagesschau.sf.tv |language=de |archive-date=2012-03-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314065152/http://www.tagesschau.sf.tv/Hintergrund/Abstimmungen/Abstimmung-vom-11.-Maerz-2012/Muenstertal-GR |url-status=dead }}</ref> and announced their intention to launch a cantonal referendum to enshrine Rumantsch Grischun as the language of instruction.<ref>{{Cite news |date=14 June 2012 |title=Pro Idioms blickt auf Erfolgsjahr zurück |url=http://www.bote.ch/politik/pro-idioms-blickt-auf-erfolgsjahr-zurueck |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514193136/http://www.bote.ch/politik/pro-idioms-blickt-auf-erfolgsjahr-zurueck |archive-date=14 May 2013 |access-date=8 June 2013 |work=[[Bote der Urschweiz]] |language=de}}</ref>

The Lia Rumantscha opposes these moves and now supports a model of coexistence in which Rumantsch Grischun will supplement but not replace the regional varieties in school. It cites the need for keeping linguistic peace among Romansh speakers, as it says that the decades-long debate over the issue has torn friends and even families apart.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2011-11-16 |title=Mögliche Wende im Streit um Rumantsch &#124; Schweizer Radio DRS |url=http://www.drs.ch/www/de/drs/streitpunkt-rumantsch-grischun/260253.305619.moegliche-wende-im-streit-um-rumantsch.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904010214/http://www.drs.ch/www/de/drs/streitpunkt-rumantsch-grischun/260253.305619.moegliche-wende-im-streit-um-rumantsch.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 4, 2012 |access-date=2013-06-08 |publisher=Drs.ch }}</ref> The canton's 2003 decision not to finance school books in the regional varieties was overturned in December 2011.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-10-08 |title=Rückschlag für Rumantsch Grischun an den Volksschulen &#124; Mein Regionalportal |url=http://www.suedostschweiz.ch/politik/ruckschlag-fur-rumantsch-grischun-den-volksschulen |access-date=2013-06-08 |publisher=Suedostschweiz.ch}}</ref>

Rumantsch Grischun is still a project in progress.{{sfn|Cathomas|2012|pp=47–58}} At the start of 2014, it was in use as a school language in the central part of the Grisons and in the bilingual classes in the region of Chur. It was taught in upper-secondary schools, in the university of teacher education in Chur and at the universities of Zürich and [[Fribourg]], along with the Romansh idioms. It remains an official and administrative language in the Swiss Confederation and the Canton of the Grisons as well as in public and private institutions for all kinds of texts intended for the whole Romansh-speaking territory.

Until 2021, Surmiran was the only regional variety that was not taught in schools, as all the Surmiran-writing municipalities had switched to Rumantsch Grischun. However, referendums in [[Surses]], [[Lantsch/Lenz]] and [[Albula/Alvra]] in 2020 led to the return to Surmiran as the language of instruction in the entire Surmiran-writing area, beginning with those pupils who started school in 2021. The only primary schools that will continue teaching in Rumantsch Grischun are the bilingual Romansh/German schools in the cantonal capital of Chur, which is located in a German-speaking area, and in [[Trin]] and [[Domat/Ems]], where the local dialects are Sutsilvan but Sursilvan has traditionally been used as the written language.

Rumantsch Grischun is read in the news of [[Radiotelevisiun Svizra Rumantscha]] and written in the daily newspaper ''La Quotidiana'', along with the Romansh idioms. Thanks to many new texts in a wide variety of political and social functions, the Romansh vocabulary has been decisively broadened.

The "Pledari Grond"<ref>{{Cite web |title=PLEDARI GROND |url=http://www.pledarigrond.ch/rumantschgrischun/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060804160546/http://pledarigrond.ch/ |archive-date=August 4, 2006 |website=www.pledarigrond.ch |url-status=dead}}</ref> German–Rumantsch Grischun dictionary, with more than 215&nbsp;000 entries, is the most comprehensive collection of Romansh words, which can also be used in the [[#idioms|idioms]] with the necessary phonetic shifts. The signatories of "Pro Rumantsch"<ref>{{Cite web |title=pagina da partenza - pro rumantsch |url=http://www.prorumantsch.ch/partenza.html |website=www.prorumantsch.ch}}</ref> stress that Romansh needs both the idioms and Rumantsch Grischun if it is to improve its chances in today's communication society. There also exist individual dictionaries for each of the different idioms: [[Sursilvan dialect|Sursilvan]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=Niev vocabulari Sursilvan ONLINE|url=https://www.vocabularisursilvan.ch/|access-date=2020-12-11|website=www.vocabularisursilvan.ch}}</ref> [[Vallader dialect|Vallader]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=UdG Dicziunari Vallader ⇔ Deutsch|url=http://www.udg.ch/dicziunari/vallader/impressum|access-date=2020-12-11|website=www.udg.ch}}</ref> [[Putèr dialect|Puter]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=UdG Dicziunari Puter ⇔ Deutsch|url=http://www.udg.ch/dicziunari/puter/impressum|access-date=2020-12-11|website=www.udg.ch}}</ref> [[Surmiran dialect|Surmiran]],<ref>{{Cite web|title=PLEDARI GROND|url=http://www.pledarigrond.ch/surmiran/|access-date=2020-12-11|website=www.pledarigrond.ch}}</ref> and [[Sutsilvan dialect|Sutsilvan]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=PLEDARI GROND|url=http://www.pledarigrond.ch/sutsilvan/|access-date=2020-12-11|website=www.pledarigrond.ch}}</ref> As well, the "Pledari Grond" dictionary links to several texts on the grammar of Vallader,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Grammatica Vallader|url=http://www.udg.ch/dicziunari/files/grammatica_vallader.pdf|access-date=2020-12-11|archive-date=2020-01-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113205944/http://www.udg.ch/dicziunari/files/grammatica_vallader.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> Puter,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Grammatica Puter|url=http://www.udg.ch/dicziunari/files/grammatica_puter.pdf|access-date=2020-12-11|archive-date=2020-01-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200113192915/http://www.udg.ch/dicziunari/files/grammatica_puter.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> and Rumantsch Grischun.<ref>{{Cite web|title=RUMANTSCH GRISCHUN PER RUMANTSCHS: GRAMMATICA I|url=http://www.pledarigrond.ch/rumantschgrischun/assets/binary/grammatica.pdf}}</ref>