The Fourth Official Language in Switzerland - Past and Present

The article examines the Rhaeto-Romance language ("Bündnerromansch", "Romansch") as part of the linguistic diversity in the Swiss Confederation, which has reached the status of an official language in the country, although it is currently spoken by less than one per cent of its population. An overview of the history of today's canton Graubünden - a mountainous region where Rhaeto-Romance is mainly used – is reviewed. Attention is drawn to Peider Lansel's struggle to assert and preserve the language; the role of Lia Rumantscha organization for its recognition as the fourth national language in the past, and today - for the spread of Rhaeto-Romance culture through education, promotion of the spoken and written language, support and coordination of projects of regional Romansh associations. A brief statistical report shows the percentage of the population in the state using this language as the main one. Several major dialects of Romansch are briefly considered, from which the common written language of Rhaeto-Romance developed, called Rumantsch Grischun; the role of music, television and radio in its dissemination and preservation; its promotion activities, such as publishing books and textbooks, efforts to establish it as a first language in its distribution areas.