Montafon_Winter_2020_EN

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Hennatschätter
Goshawk
THE DIALECT
WITH SPECIAL FEATURES
Mara, Heem or etschas. Dialect expert Franz
Rüdisser explains why Montafon dialect
sounds so completely different. This is due
to the fact that the dialect is characterised by
many pure and clear vowels and that hardly
any double or triple sounds are used. In addition,
words that are left over from Romansh
are emphasised on the second or last syllable.
Of course, there are also some linguistic nuances
within the Montafon dialect. And the
people of the Montafon attach great importance
to their linguistic differences, which
can be clearly heard among the inhabitants
of the “Innerfratte” (St. Gallenkirch with
Gargellen and Gortipohl, Gaschurn-Partenen)
and the “Außerfratte” (Schruns-Tschagguns,
Bartholomäberg, Silbertal, Vandans,
St. Anton). Franz arranges events and brief
“language courses in Muntafunerisch” for
newcomers and anyone else interested. It is
important for him to keep the dialect alive
and to pass on this special cultural legacy.
For more information, visit unesco.at
A DIALECT AS
UNESCO CULTURAL HERITAGE
In 2017, the Austrian UNESCO Commission
declared the Montafon dialect a valuable
intangible cultural heritage. Why? Michael
Kasper, the director of the Montafon museums
explains: “In addition to its unusual
history and pronunciation, the dialect in
the Montafon has a very clear meaning for
the identity of the locals. It is cultivated,
researched and, above all, lived. This was
particularly emphasised by UNESCO. There
are countless poems and stories written
in the dialect. Modern music groups like
Krauthobel or Barfuaß ida Söck sing highly
successful dialect songs. Events, projects
and collaborations with schools, children
and young adults, and language courses for
refugees bring the Muntafunerisch language
closer to everyone. In short, the people of
the Montafon are proud of their dialect and
want to continue speaking it. And that’s been
rewarded. F