Languages
Most of the population (as of 2000) speaks German (57.7%), with Italian being second most common (16.1%) and Portuguese being third ( 9.0%). Until the 19th Century, the entire population spoke the Upper-Engadin Romansh dialect of Puter. Due to increasing trade with the outside world, Romansh usage began to decline. In 1880 only 45.7% spoke Romansh as a first language, while in 1900 it was only 33.61%. Romansh continued to decline in the 20th Century (1941 26.7%, 1970 16.22%, 2000 7.94%).
| Languages in Pontresina GR | ||||||
| Languages | Census 1980 | Census 1990 | Census 2000 | |||
| Number | Percent | Number | Percent | Number | Percent | |
| German | 990 | 57.36% | 993 | 61.91% | 1264 | 57.69% |
| Romansh | 250 | 14.48% | 194 | 12.09% | 174 | 7.94% |
| Italian | 362 | 20.97% | 290 | 18.08% | 353 | 16.11% |
| Population | 1726 | 100% | 1604 | 100% | 2191 | 100% |
Read more about this topic: Pontresina
Famous quotes containing the word languages:
“I am always sorry when any language is lost, because languages are the pedigree of nations.”
—Samuel Johnson (1709–1784)
“It is time for dead languages to be quiet.”
—Natalie Clifford Barney (1876–1972)
“Science and technology multiply around us. To an increasing extent they dictate the languages in which we speak and think. Either we use those languages, or we remain mute.”
—J.G. (James Graham)