English Spoken in Luzern, et al.?

Old Apr 21st, 2005, 05:47 AM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
English Spoken in Luzern, et al.?

Is English at all spoken or understood in the Swiss cities of Luzern and Zurich? How about in the small towns along the route du vin in Alsace?
judyjay is offline  
Old Apr 21st, 2005, 05:55 AM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,605
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We had no problems in Lucerne or Zurich with English (have a tiny smattering of French but know no German/Swiss at all). Didn't go into any small towns except Weggis but we just walked around, didn't converse with anyone.
Travelnut is offline  
Old Apr 21st, 2005, 06:17 AM
  #3  
P_M
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 24,943
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I went to Luzern many years ago and had no trouble finding English speakers. I think you'll be fine.
P_M is online now  
Old Apr 21st, 2005, 06:31 AM
  #4  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,142
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
My experience is only in french-speaking part of the country. In train stations, banks, post office etc. seemed like someone always spoke English. Less so in grocery store or pharmacy. And rarely in the open air farmers market stands, lace shops, bakeries.

I'm not sure what you anticipate needing to talk to people about, but because the Swiss are so organized generally speaking, I found it very easy to get around without speaking French.
suze is offline  
Old Apr 21st, 2005, 07:35 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,260
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I think there may be quite a few opportunities in which you might wish to speak to someone but my experience in both Swiss cities has been that the folks you are most likely to converse with (hotel staff, retaurant servers, train station clerks, store clerks, etc.) will be able to understand you.
Intrepid1 is offline  
Old Apr 21st, 2005, 08:59 AM
  #6  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 57,890
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
English is widely spoken in all of those places - esp in venues catering to tourists. You will have no problems at all. (Not every person speaks english - if you go into the local dry cleaner or shoe repair shop you may have some problems - but that's not usually part of a vacation.)
nytraveler is offline  
Old Apr 21st, 2005, 09:35 AM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,142
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
My comments concern mostly Lausanne, Vevey & Montreux, but you're right, because I was staying with friends who live there, my experience was a little more local and less tourist oriented (they make me do the grocery shopping, pick up their dry cleaning and such as lessons in French!).
suze is offline  
Old Apr 21st, 2005, 09:54 AM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
English was spoken/understood everywhere we recently went in Lucerne: restaurants, attractions, shops, boats on Lake Lucerne and at the train station. Zurich was pretty much the same.
CiCi is offline  
Old Apr 21st, 2005, 10:22 AM
  #9  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Should have no problems in Luzern or Zurich in main parts of cities or the visitor oriented places.

The small towns in Alsace may be different story. I found that Strasbourg was so-so in English speaking, but not bad. However, in the smaller towns south on both sides in France and Germany, English was not as common. However, it is not a big problem. Make it easy on yourself, learn a few basic phrases, learn your numbers, and take a good phrase book. Most important in France is to remember your manners with your Bon Jours, Mercis, SVPs, and so on. A nice Bon Jour upon entering a shop goes a long way!
Curt is offline  
Old Apr 21st, 2005, 10:53 AM
  #10  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 97,142
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
curt, also true in french-speaking switzerland... i've never heard so much bonjour'ing & avoir merci'ing in my life! especially in the smaller shops.
suze is offline  
Old Apr 22nd, 2005, 05:45 AM
  #11  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thank you everyone! The French phrases and "restaurant speak" isn't a problem for me--but the German language looks a little scary!

Merci!
judyjay is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
rmgood
Europe
6
Mar 26th, 2015 07:08 AM
123Go
Europe
7
Jan 9th, 2008 12:36 PM
book_it
Asia
9
Dec 2nd, 2007 09:45 PM
Cargillman
Europe
44
Mar 22nd, 2007 07:55 AM
Chuck
Europe
6
Jul 29th, 2002 01:52 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -