# Schweizerisches Idiotikon

> project to document and provide a dictionary of Swiss German dialects

**Wikidata**: [Q463590](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q463590)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schweizerisches_Idiotikon)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/schweizerisches-idiotikon

## Summary
The Schweizerisches Idiotikon is a comprehensive dictionary project documenting Swiss German dialects, founded in 1862. It serves as both a research institute and a reference work, systematically recording the vocabulary and usage of Swiss German dialects across Switzerland. The project is based in Zurich and maintains an online presence at http://www.idiotikon.ch/.

## Key Facts
- Founded in 1862, making it over 160 years old
- Based in Zurich, Switzerland at coordinates 47.377439, 8.544757
- Classified as a research institute, dialect dictionary, science project, and reference work
- Main subject is Swiss German dialects
- Has 7 sitelinks across Wikipedia language editions
- Holds OCLC number 468533794
- Freebase ID: /m/0nb8d8l
- ROR ID: 024cb5849
- GRID ID: grid.469483.4
- Available in German language
- Published more than 95 years ago, placing it in the public domain in the United States

### FAQs

### Q: What is the Schweizerisches Idiotikon?
A: The Schweizerisches Idiotikon is a dictionary project documenting Swiss German dialects, founded in 1862. It serves as both a research institute and a comprehensive reference work for Swiss German language and dialects.

### Q: Where is the Schweizerisches Idiotikon located?
A: The Schweizerisches Idiotikon is located in Zurich, Switzerland, with coordinates 47.377439 latitude and 8.544757 longitude.

### Q: How old is the Schweizerisches Idiotikon?
A: The Schweizerisches Idiotikon was founded in 1862, making it over 160 years old as of 2024.

## Why It Matters
The Schweizerisches Idiotikon plays a crucial role in preserving and documenting Swiss German dialects, which are an essential part of Switzerland's linguistic heritage. As a comprehensive dictionary project, it serves as a vital resource for linguists, researchers, and anyone interested in Swiss German dialects. The project's longevity and systematic approach to documenting dialects have made it an authoritative reference work in the field of Germanic linguistics. By maintaining an online presence and continuing its research, the Idiotikon ensures that Swiss German dialects are preserved for future generations and remain accessible to scholars worldwide. Its status as a research institute also contributes to ongoing linguistic studies and helps maintain the cultural identity of Swiss German-speaking communities.

## Notable For
- Being one of the oldest and most comprehensive dialect dictionary projects in Europe
- Serving as both a research institute and a reference work for Swiss German dialects
- Maintaining an extensive online presence at http://www.idiotikon.ch/
- Documenting Swiss German dialects systematically for over 160 years
- Being classified as a science project, research institute, and reference work

## Body
### Historical Background
The Schweizerisches Idiotikon was founded in 1862, establishing itself as a pioneering project in the documentation of Swiss German dialects. Its inception marked the beginning of a systematic approach to recording and preserving the linguistic diversity of Swiss German-speaking regions.

### Research and Documentation
As a research institute, the Schweizerisches Idiotikon conducts ongoing studies of Swiss German dialects, collecting data on vocabulary, usage, and regional variations. This research contributes to the broader field of Germanic linguistics and helps maintain an up-to-date understanding of Swiss German language evolution.

### Online Presence and Accessibility
The project maintains a website at http://www.idiotikon.ch/, making its resources available to researchers and the public. This online presence ensures that the documented information about Swiss German dialects is accessible to a global audience.

### Classification and Recognition
The Schweizerisches Idiotikon is classified under multiple categories, including research institute, dialect dictionary, science project, and reference work. It holds various identifiers such as ROR ID 024cb5849, GRID ID grid.469483.4, and OCLC number 468533794, reflecting its recognized status in academic and library systems.

### Geographic Focus
Based in Zurich, Switzerland, the project focuses specifically on Swiss German dialects, documenting the linguistic characteristics of German-speaking regions within Switzerland. Its location in Zurich positions it at the heart of Swiss German linguistic research.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. GRID Release 2016-12-06
3. [OpenAlex](https://docs.openalex.org/download-snapshot/snapshot-data-format)