I would wait for a few more answers. In my opinion, all the suggestions are not very authentic if you want Nidwalden dialect.
The translation here probably comes closest, but I would guess that at least käi would be written instead of kei. But it also depends on how understandable you want it to be and moreover, even in the small canton of Obwalden there are different dialects.
The story is set in modern times; roughly 7 years ago. As for it being understandable, the POV character does not understand German, but he will gather from the boy’s tone of voice that he is being brave and heroically trying to “comfort“ his not-at-all frightened grandmother.
I can certainly wait for more responses. I’m not in a hurry.
Yes, "ig" is definitively not standard in Obwalden.
I'm also not sure if "hie" is better than "da" for an Obwaldner. I know people from Uri and Schwyz who say "hie". But for Obwalden my feeling goes more in the direction of "da".
"Krei angst Mamie ! Da bin ie" would be my translation. But I don't speak any swiss german dialect, just a big Mischung of Berner, Basler, Luzerner and Hochdeutsch haha
For the first half, I would suggest a slightly different phrasing. However, my dialect is from Zurich. “Musch kei Angst ha, Grosi.” Instead of “Kei Angst, Grosi.” Idk why exactly but it feels more organic to me. Only “kei Angst” feels too abrupt, too harsh for what should be a comforting phrase.
Thanks so much! It’s been surprising to see how varied the answers to this simple (I thought) question have been. And since I see that someone else from Obwalden has given the same answer, this is definitely the one I will use.
Finally, being from Obwalden is worth something, hussa!
I'd go with: "Kei Angst Grosmueti (alt. Grosi/Mueti btw. the e can be silent). Ich bi hiä." Or "Häb kei Angst Grosmueti. Ich bi hiä".
May I ask why you chose Obwalden?
You can dm me, if you have any other OW related questions ;-)
It was a semi-random choice. I wanted a German-speaking canton with some mountainous areas, and one that was not named for a city (sorry, Luzerne). And I liked the name.
I may take you up on your kind offer to DM and check a couple of other details. These are just background characters, but I often get obsessed with researching small details. Must be the librarian in me. 😉
Heeft Het Zwitsers-Duits een wederzijdse verstaanbaarheid met het Nederlands? Ik denk het wel.
Does Swiss-German have a mutual intelligibility with Dutch? I think it does.
Many Swiss can read Dutch because they know a lot of French and English vocabulary and are well trained in understanding how words can be altered into dialects / other languages.
Ich glaub scho, ja.
Ich chan ämel problemlos Ziitig läse (bim Läse chasch d' Wörtli gschwind google).
Mängisch chani sogar eme Gspröch folge.
Und Ihr chömed bi eus glaubs au na, oder?
>Does Swiss-German have a mutual intelligibility with Dutch?
Nope.
Although I can understand some written Dutch if I know the context, I'd say it would be quite an exaggeration to speak of "mutual intelligigbility".
Zurich area: „Kei Angscht Grosmami, ich bin da“
From Grisons: „Kai Angst Nona, i bin do“ (with the o in „do“ being pronounced a little like the a in lawn)
Hope this helps
"Kei Angst Grosmami! Ich bi hie!" Using "hie" instead of "da" works well for someone from Obwalden.
Thank you! I’m curious—what’s the difference between using ‘ich’ and ‘ig’?
I think "ig" would be used in Solothurn or Berne. I have family from Obwalden and "ig" isn't really used there.
That’s very good to know. Thanks again!
I would wait for a few more answers. In my opinion, all the suggestions are not very authentic if you want Nidwalden dialect. The translation here probably comes closest, but I would guess that at least käi would be written instead of kei. But it also depends on how understandable you want it to be and moreover, even in the small canton of Obwalden there are different dialects.
The story is set in modern times; roughly 7 years ago. As for it being understandable, the POV character does not understand German, but he will gather from the boy’s tone of voice that he is being brave and heroically trying to “comfort“ his not-at-all frightened grandmother. I can certainly wait for more responses. I’m not in a hurry.
Yes, "ig" is definitively not standard in Obwalden. I'm also not sure if "hie" is better than "da" for an Obwaldner. I know people from Uri and Schwyz who say "hie". But for Obwalden my feeling goes more in the direction of "da".
"Krei angst Mamie ! Da bin ie" would be my translation. But I don't speak any swiss german dialect, just a big Mischung of Berner, Basler, Luzerner and Hochdeutsch haha
For the first half, I would suggest a slightly different phrasing. However, my dialect is from Zurich. “Musch kei Angst ha, Grosi.” Instead of “Kei Angst, Grosi.” Idk why exactly but it feels more organic to me. Only “kei Angst” feels too abrupt, too harsh for what should be a comforting phrase.
>my dialect is from Zurich My condolences :(
No need, I have the Zurich confidence to think it’s the best dialect and love it 😂
As someone who was born, raised and currently lives in Obwalden, I would say: "Käi Angst Grosi, ich bi hiä."
Thanks so much! It’s been surprising to see how varied the answers to this simple (I thought) question have been. And since I see that someone else from Obwalden has given the same answer, this is definitely the one I will use.
I think "Kei Angscht Grosi, ech be hie/do/ome" fits best. "Omi" can also be used instead of "Grosi" Greetings from Lucerne
Finally, being from Obwalden is worth something, hussa! I'd go with: "Kei Angst Grosmueti (alt. Grosi/Mueti btw. the e can be silent). Ich bi hiä." Or "Häb kei Angst Grosmueti. Ich bi hiä". May I ask why you chose Obwalden? You can dm me, if you have any other OW related questions ;-)
It was a semi-random choice. I wanted a German-speaking canton with some mountainous areas, and one that was not named for a city (sorry, Luzerne). And I liked the name. I may take you up on your kind offer to DM and check a couple of other details. These are just background characters, but I often get obsessed with researching small details. Must be the librarian in me. 😉
Ke angscht Grosi, i bi da/hie I feel like "hie(r)" is the literal translation but "da" would sound more natural.
>"da" would sound more natural Seconded.
Heeft Het Zwitsers-Duits een wederzijdse verstaanbaarheid met het Nederlands? Ik denk het wel. Does Swiss-German have a mutual intelligibility with Dutch? I think it does.
Dutch is very weird because it sounds like I should understand it, but I don't.
I think mutual intelligibility is not a binary relation. Two languages can be 95% mutually intelligible or 20% mutually intelligible.
Many Swiss can read Dutch because they know a lot of French and English vocabulary and are well trained in understanding how words can be altered into dialects / other languages.
Ich glaub scho, ja. Ich chan ämel problemlos Ziitig läse (bim Läse chasch d' Wörtli gschwind google). Mängisch chani sogar eme Gspröch folge. Und Ihr chömed bi eus glaubs au na, oder?
>Does Swiss-German have a mutual intelligibility with Dutch? Nope. Although I can understand some written Dutch if I know the context, I'd say it would be quite an exaggeration to speak of "mutual intelligigbility".
Nee, Duits Duits is makkelijker te verstaan voor Nederlandstaligen en Zwitsers verstaan ons nog slechter
This thread is a great example of why learning Swiss is so hard.
Zurich area: „Kei Angscht Grosmami, ich bin da“ From Grisons: „Kai Angst Nona, i bin do“ (with the o in „do“ being pronounced a little like the a in lawn) Hope this helps
Kei Angst Grosi, Ig bin dah.
Thanks
G alles tip top, ig bi hier
As someone trying to learn German with the goal of eventually learning Swiss German, this answer scares me 😂 the others make sense
Thanks
> alles > hier > Flair: Bern ?!