Swiss German ä (very open)
/æ / ɛː/Accent-Specific Coaching
For American Speakers
Your 'cat' vowel is very close to Züridütsch ä. Swiss German ä is wide and open — like an exaggerated 'cat'. This is actually EASIER for Americans than Standard German ä because American English already has this wide open vowel.
For British Speakers
Your TRAP vowel is close. Open it a bit more — Züridütsch ä is very broad and open.
For Australian / NZ Speakers
Australian 'cat' has shifted higher. For Züridütsch ä, open your jaw MORE. Think of the widest, most open version of your 'cat' vowel.
For Irish Speakers
Irish 'cat' may already be quite open. Apply that open quality to Züridütsch ä.
For Scottish Speakers
Scottish 'cat' is often more open than RP — which is closer to Züridütsch ä. Apply your natural open vowel.
For Indian Speakers
Open your jaw wide for Züridütsch ä. Think of the broadest, most open 'a' type sound. Hindi अ may be close in quality.
For South African Speakers
SA TRAP vowel is close. Open it a bit more for the wide Züridütsch ä.
For Nigerian / W. African Speakers
Züridütsch ä is between your 'bed' and 'cat' vowels — wider and more open than 'bed' but similar territory. Open your jaw wide.
Practice Words
Chäs (cheese)
Fäscht (festival)
häre (here)
wäg (away)
Mäitli (girl)
Practice Sentence
Züridütsch ä is VERY open — more so than Standard German — häre (her), Chäs (cheese), Fäscht (festival)
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More Swiss German (Züridütsch) Sounds
ch replacing k
/li/Diminutive -li
/various long vowels/Vowel lengthening shifts
/yː/ʏ and øː/œ/ü and ö (same as Standard German)
/ʃt / ʃp/scht/schp everywhere
/s / z (not ts)/Softened initial z