there are about 8.4 million people in switzerland. about 64% of the people speak swiss german (german alemannic) as their first language, in northern and central switzerland. 19% of the people speak french as their first language, mainly in the west of switzerland. 8% of the people speak italian, in the south of switzerland. only 1% of the people speak romansh, in the southeastern part of switzerland. romansh is an old language that is similar to latin.