Not a complaint, but don't know anywhere else to file it. I have difficulties with language, its not been my strong points since I was 6.
There was a scenario when I wanted to call the police to report an important thing, like someone smashed my car window and stole my laptop. I called the police, and no one spoke english ( Schwyz Kantonal Polizei). Great, so what do I do? Curse my bad luck, as there's nothing they could do anyway. Insurance? well I had to get a german speaking colleague to come with me a file a police report for the windscreen.
Erm what if I just got mugged and got beaten as well? What should I do in this case other than learn German, cause I have been trying for the last 12 months, but once a week isn't really enough and all my work is in numbers and english.
I think you did all you could do under the circumstances. In the event of a serious assault, similar action would be good or if you couldn't find someone to go with you, I would think the police would take steps to locate a translator for you. I hope. But they'd consider a minor theft/car damage as not sufficiently important to engage these resources.
Although you get my sympathy, I know that many others will say its your problem. Personally I would only really complain if they couldn't speak French either since its one of their National languages.
Rest assured - if it's a matter of life and limb then a translator would be provided. They probably have quite a few furrrn-language speaking colleagues, especially considering the "high (tax) profile" residents of Kanton Schwyz
Some people are good with numbers & some others with language. So if some skill(viz. learning a foreign language) doesn't come naturally, it just means that we need to put slightly more effort.
Good thing is you already know that language is not your strong point. So maybe you need to put in more effort may be twice or thrice a week when you are tackling a language which is not really easy to learn.
Sorry to hear about the unfortunate event. Hope everything is sorted now.
Well the fact remains that English isn't an official language of any of the Cantons of Switzerland & so expecting the police to communicate in English is a wish list. The best way is to get on with things & intensify your efforts in learning German. It may not be easy but will definately help you in the long run.
When it comes to security, I find rather naive suggestions like "learn German" etc.
English is an international language. As it was Greek some thousand years ago. If you don't speak English you are illieterate, in the western world.
Arguments like "Do the policemen speak German in Singapoure, England, Guadeloupe, Indonisia" are also not serious. English is a world-wide communication tool. You can't do a simple business without knowing this language.
In ALL touristic countries, it is essential that the policemen speak some English. And they actually do. Even in countries like Italy and Greece, where people have difficulties speaking Anglosaxonic languages, they always try to help people that they don't speak the local language.
As somebody wrote above, even if the particular policemen you are addresing he doesn't speak English, he refers you to a collegue that speaks English.
I wonder how in such a touristic country, English speaking police should be considered as a "wish list" item.
Switzerland makes a lot of money by the use of English. They should ajust their infrastructure properly in order to protect the non local language speakers.
I doubt language for your average police officer isn't a strong point either...
Why don't you try carrying a pocket dictionary, pen and note book with some basic phrases around you with. Then you could take a few minutes to build the key sentences (however basic they maybe, it doesn't matter) to get your meaning across in German.
The grammar doesn't need to be complicated. Basic is probably better anyway. Surely you've picked up a few basics during your 12 mths here
I (must) report a crime.
Sorry my German is not good/bad.
A man/woman mugged/robbed/raped me.
It happened at xx:xx hrs at the xxx (location).
I can write a report about it.
etc etc
Anticipate the kinds of questions that the police may ask you and try to think of words they might use or questions they might ask.
It's tough, but it's all part of the deal. If you work in English all day try to make your free time as German oriented as possible. If you just wanna chill after work, go ahead, but listen to German music or have german movies etc playing in the background. Socializing? The Germans aren't *that* scary Just be prepared to do absolutely nothing but listen to what they say. As an indication I could only ask 2-3 really basic questions/sentences about the conversations during a whole evening at the start. You just need to be patient and not get lazy.
Yeah, I'm sure if you visit Italy and Greece's equivalent of Kanton Schwyz the whole local police force will be reciting A Midnight Summer Dream without batting an eyelid.
They do speak English, but it's a tactic to discourage people from reporting minor crimes. When a friend of mine tried to report a robbery, they did everything to discourage him.
So, any guesses why people "think" that Switzerland is very safe?
Well just because a language is spoken widely by a cross section of people, it doesn't mean that everyone must use it. Its not a mandatory requirement for joining the police that you need to know English(except Native English Speaking countries.) Police is an administrative force & has got nothing to do with business.
The OP in question lives here & is not a tourist. Hence it is for his own advantage to learn the basics. Well the infrastructure for securing the non local language speakers is already there. I guess most of us are pretty secure in this country. So why should the Switzerland incorporate English in its local administrative sections(Police, Government Offices)?
I've spoken with the Schwyzer police a few times, and no - on first attempt there is often a reluctance to deal with English.
However, if one memorizes this magic sentence:
" Verzeihen Sie mir, bitte, aber ich spreche nur wenig Deutsch. Dürfen wir auf Englisch sprechen? Vielen Dank für Ihre Hilfe. "
(Please forgive me, but I only speak a little German. May we speak in English? Thanks so much for your help."
Suddenly communication becomes much easier.
As long as I make it clear that I accept that the fault - i.e., lack of language skills - lies with me, I've found that people, even the Schwyzer Polizei , become quite accomodating.
It must be incredibly frustrating for you. I agree with Puddy, I have looked up appropriate vocabulary, when I need to do some specific task. I find people usually more helpful if I apologise for my limited German at the start of a conversation, but at least attempt to get my message across in German. A friend had an incident to report (assault, although not serious) and was unhappy with her treatment by the police because they did not speak english.
On the plus side the incident inspired her to take a course in German after she had already lived here for a couple of years and had not had any lessons.