The History Of The Swiss Multilingualism Policy Formation

Switzerland lies in the center of Europe, and has the multi-language background. On the north Switzerland is next to the Federal Republic of Germany, on the west and northwest is France, on the south is Italy, while on the east is Austria and Tubdain Liechtenstein. In this country, there are many nationalities, kinds of cultures and four Official languages. Meanwhile, equality between different language groups and between different ethnics has been establishment in the history in Switzerland, which has promoted national unity and development of multi-culture, and has endowed the country with well political situation promising long-term stable development.Switzerland is known as a successful country in the west in dealing with language equality and multi-culture, whose language policy formed and implemented has been appraised highly by the international community. Thus the research on the history, status quo, the reason and the effect of Switzerland's language policy is an important reference to the study on European integration, meanwhile, which also has some inspiration to other multi-national countries'language policy.Since 1798, Switzerland's language policy has been through three phases. First of all, it is the Embryonic stage of multi-language idea in the dynasty of Helvetic Republic in 1798. Second, it is formed in the period of Federal Constitution in 1848, and finally, it has been being perfected by the Constitution of Switzerland since 1938. It is always being smooth and successful for Switzerland to implement the multi-language policy.Switzerland's language policy is the result of the Swiss model, and there are many profound reasons for explaining its formation, such as ethos advocating equality and freedom, historical multi-cultural situation, self-conscious traditional democratic institutions and social and economic benefits of multi-language ability, and so on.The system of manifold official language in Switzerland has promoted introjections between nationalities, enhanced the national cohesion of the Swiss Confederation, boosted the balanced development of the Swiss economics, attracted a large number of foreigner staff, and strengthened the importance of language education of the states'governments.As the enlightenment of the Swiss multi-language policy's development, it is important for a country's language policy to be positioned appropriately and to syncretise the national culture and international perspective.