How the Swiss are working to push yodeling to new heights

Key Concepts

• Yodelling
• Intangible Cultural Heritage
• UNESCO
• Swiss Yodelling Association
• Head Voice
• Chest Voice
• Vowel sounds (oo, o)
• Register (voice)

Yodelling in Switzerland: From Tradition to Accessible Pastime

Yodelling, traditionally perceived as a practice of European herders on mountaintops, has evolved in Switzerland into an accessible pastime enjoyed from any elevation. The video highlights that while Switzerland has four official languages, yodelling is considered a "fifth language" by some, signifying its cultural importance.

Academic Recognition and Distinctive Swiss Style

Nadia Re, a professor at Luterum University, notes that her institution became the first Swiss school to teach yodelling seven years prior to the video's recording. While neighboring Alpine nations like Germany, Austria, and Italy also practice yodelling, Nadia Re asserts that Switzerland possesses a unique style. This distinctiveness is attributed to the specific use of "sound colors of the voice," referred to as "register." The Swiss style involves changing between "head voice," typically executed with the vowel sound "oo," and "chest voice," usually performed with the vowel sound "o." The characteristic element is the transition between these two vocal registers.

Pursuit of UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Status

Switzerland is actively seeking recognition for yodelling from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Founded in 1945 as a cultural agency of the UN, UNESCO maintains a list of "intangible cultural heritage." Switzerland has formally requested that yodelling be included on this prestigious list. A decision regarding this application was anticipated by the end of the year the video was produced.

Yodelling as a Lasting Cultural Legacy

Regardless of the UNESCO decision, the video suggests that yodelling is already a firmly established and enduring part of Swiss culture, being passed down through generations. The Swiss government reports that over 12,000 individuals are members of the Swiss Yodelling Association, indicating a significant and active community dedicated to the practice.

Conclusion

The video illustrates the transformation of yodelling in Switzerland from a historical herding practice to a widespread and academically recognized cultural activity. The distinct Swiss vocal technique, characterized by the interplay of head and chest registers using specific vowel sounds, is a key element of its identity. The ongoing effort to secure UNESCO recognition underscores the perceived value and cultural significance of yodelling, while its robust membership in the Swiss Yodelling Association demonstrates its continued vitality and transmission across generations.