English as Infrastructure — a part of the book Zug: The Making of a Global Hub by Dr Alexander Ressos.
The preceding parts described the companies, the taxes, the laws and the markets that made Zug an international business location. This part examines a condition that the other parts took for granted: language. The official language of the canton is German, while its residents speak Swiss German dialects in daily life. The language of its international economy is English. Traders in Baar negotiate in English, holding companies hold their board meetings in English, crypto foundations write their white papers in English and the international schools teach their pupils in English. English has become part of the infrastructure of the canton in the same way as its roads, its railway connections and its tax law. Chapter I describes how English came to Zug and how it coexists with German. Chapter II examines the place of English in law, courts and administration. Chapter III considers the effects of the English-speaking economy on the labour market, on society and on politics before it asks where the limits of a second working language lie.
This part belongs to Zug: The Making of a Global Hub by Dr Alexander Ressos, published here in full, section by section.
The Languages of Zug — conclusion
German is the official language of the canton of Zug and Swiss German its spoken language, but English has become the working language of its international economy. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureGerman, Swiss German and the official language
The canton of Zug belongs to the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Its authorities and courts conduct their business in German. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe first English speakers
English speakers came to Zug long before the commodity traders. The most important early example was the Anglo-Swiss Condensed Milk Company, founded in Cham in 1866 by the American brothers Charles… Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe post-war companies
The transformation began after the Second World War. The canton's tax policy, which Part B described, attracted holding and domiciliary companies from the 1950s. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe growth of the foreign population
The growth of the international economy brought a growth of the foreign population. In 1950, the canton of Zug had about 42,000 inhabitants, and foreigners made up a small share. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureEnglish as the lingua franca of the international economy
The role of English in Zug is that of a lingua franca, a common language used by people with different first languages. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe domains of English and German
The domains of the two languages can be described roughly. English dominates in the international companies, in the professional services that work for them, in the international schools, in the… Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe international schools
The international schools are a central part of the English-speaking infrastructure of Zug. The International School of Zug and Luzern, founded in 1961, is the largest. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureMedia, churches and associations
English-speaking residents have created their own institutions. Anglican and other English-language congregations hold services in the region. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureSwiss residents and English
For Swiss residents of Zug, English has become a part of daily life. Young people learn it at school, consume English-language media and use it at work. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe economics of a working language
From an economic point of view, English lowers the costs of doing business across borders. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureA Geneva comparison
Geneva offers a useful comparison. The official language of the canton of Geneva is French. The city has been a centre of international diplomacy since the founding of the League of Nations in 1920. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureMeasuring English in the canton
The Federal Statistical Office measures language use through its structural survey. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureSwiss German in the workplace
In the international companies of Zug, English is the language of meetings, e-mails and documents. Swiss German does not disappear, however. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureLanguage courses and the integration offer
The canton of Zug, the municipalities and private providers offer German courses at all levels. The cantonal integration programme subsidises courses for foreign residents with limited means. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe language of the crypto community
The crypto industry of Zug is the most thoroughly English-speaking sector of the canton. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureOther language communities
English is not the only foreign language in the international economy of Zug. The Russian-speaking community, which Part I described, had its own social and business networks before 2022. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureFederal language policy and English
The Confederation pursues an active policy for its national languages. The Federal Act on National Languages and Understanding between the Linguistic Communities of 2007 obliges the federal… Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe earlier language of the elites
The spread of English in Zug has a historical parallel. In the eighteenth century, French was the language of the European elites. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureMarketing the canton in English
The canton of Zug markets itself to international companies in English. Its economic promotion office publishes brochures, websites and presentations in English that present the canton's advantages… Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureEnglish in the local economy
The international economy has carried English into the local economy of the canton. Estate agents advertise apartments in English to reach international buyers and tenants. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructurePractitioner's note: working in English with Swiss counterparties
Advisers who work with international clients in Zug should be aware of the practical limits of English in the canton. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureEnglish in Law, Courts and Administration — conclusion
English has entered Swiss law and administration in stages, but it has not become an official language. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe language of Swiss law
Swiss federal law is published in German, French and Italian, and all three versions are equally authoritative. Romansh versions exist for important texts. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureCompany law and the commercial register
Swiss company law has gradually made room for English. The revision of accounting law that entered into force on 1 January 2013 allows companies to keep their accounts and to prepare their annual… Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureTax administration
The tax administration of the canton of Zug communicates with taxpayers in German. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureCourts and civil procedure
Swiss courts conduct their proceedings in the official language of the canton. In Zug, that means German. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe Federal Supreme Court
The Federal Supreme Court in Lausanne conducts its proceedings in the official languages of the Confederation. Its judgments are written in the language of the contested decision. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureArbitration in English
International arbitration is the field in which English has become most firmly established in Swiss legal practice. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureContracts in English under Swiss law
Many contracts concluded by Zug companies are drafted in English and governed by Swiss law. This combination is common in international business, but it raises particular questions. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe legal profession and English
The legal profession in Zug has adapted to the English-speaking economy. The larger law firms of the canton and the Zug offices of Zurich firms work mainly in English for their international clients. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe cantonal administration and English
The cantonal administration of Zug has taken steps to serve English-speaking residents and companies. The economic promotion office works in English with companies considering a move to the canton. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureEnglish in the regulation of financial markets
The financial market authorities have adapted more quickly than the cantonal institutions. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureNotaries, public deeds and the land register
Many transactions in Swiss law require a public deed drawn up by a notary or another authorised official. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureEmployment law in English
Employment contracts in the international companies of Zug are usually drafted in English. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureCriminal proceedings and interpreters
Criminal proceedings are conducted in the official language of the canton. The Swiss Criminal Procedure Code guarantees a person who does not understand the language of the proceedings the right to… Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureLegal education and English
Swiss universities have responded to the demand for English-speaking lawyers. The law faculties of Zurich, Geneva, Basel, St. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureTranslation, technology and the future of the language barrier
Machine translation has changed the practical significance of the language barrier. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureMutual legal assistance and translation
International cooperation in legal matters involves Zug frequently, since many of the companies and persons concerned by foreign investigations have their seat or residence in the canton. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureLessons from other commercial courts
The discussion about English-language proceedings in Swiss cantons draws on experiences abroad. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureEnglish in the everyday work of the Zug authorities
The formal rules on the official language describe only part of the reality. In their everyday work, the authorities of Zug use English more often than the rules suggest. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureEnglish in public procurement and state contracts
The canton and the municipalities of Zug buy goods and services under the rules of public procurement. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructurePractitioner's note: bilingual documentation for a Zug company
An international company in Zug should organise its documentation with the two languages in mind. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureTalent, Society and the Limits of a Second Language — conclusion
The international economy of Zug depends on English because it recruits on a global labour market. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe international labour market of Zug
The companies of Zug recruit on an international labour market. Commodity traders look for traders, analysts, risk managers and operators with experience in the markets of their products. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureImmigration law and its limits
Swiss immigration law distinguishes between nationals of the European Union and the European Free Trade Association and nationals of other states. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe political debate on immigration
Immigration has been a central issue of Swiss politics for decades. The international economy of Zug has been part of the debate. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureHousing and the cost of living
The international economy of Zug has made the canton one of the most expensive places to live in Switzerland. Average rents in Zug are the highest of all Swiss cantons. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureIntegration and parallel societies
The integration of foreign residents is a declared aim of Swiss and cantonal policy. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureNaturalisation and the political community
Foreign residents who wish to become Swiss citizens must meet federal and cantonal requirements. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe international community's voice
The international community has found indirect ways of making its voice heard. The companies speak through their business associations, which are consulted on legislation and have influence in… Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureEnglish and the cantonal identity
The spread of English raises the question of the canton's identity. Zug has a long history as a small Catholic canton in central Switzerland, with a strong local identity rooted in its old town, its… Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe limits of a second language
The experience of Zug shows both the strengths and the limits of English as a second working language. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureA comparison with Geneva, Singapore and Dubai
The comparison with other international centres shows different ways of dealing with the language question. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe expatriate package and its evolution
The traditional expatriate package included a generous salary, housing, school fees for the children, home leave and tax equalisation. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureDual-career couples
Many international employees who come to Zug have partners with careers of their own. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureHealthcare in a second language
The healthcare system of the canton operates in German, but it has adapted to the international population. Many doctors and nurses in the hospitals and clinics of the region speak English. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe children of the international community
Children who grow up in Zug in international families often speak several languages. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureEnglish, wages and the local labour market
The spread of English has consequences for Swiss employees as well. Knowledge of English has become a requirement for many well-paid positions in the canton, particularly in the international… Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureRemote work and the new mobility
The spread of remote work since 2020 has changed the mobility of international professionals. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureAssociations, sport and cultural life
Local associations are the backbone of social life in Swiss municipalities. Sports clubs, choirs, music societies, carnival guilds and local history societies bring residents together across social… Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureOptions for the canton
The analysis of this part suggests several options for the canton of Zug in dealing with the language question. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureThe view of the international community
Surveys of expatriates in Switzerland give an indication of how the international community sees the language question. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructureLanguage and the reputation of the location
The language question also affects the canton's reputation among international companies. Read more Zug · English as InfrastructurePractitioner's note: advising an expatriate moving to Zug
An adviser who assists an expatriate executive moving to Zug should address the language question as part of the relocation. Read more