In the major theories on European nationalism, Switzerland is typically portrayed as an outlier – a country that does not fit the common categorisations of nations and thus sometimes ends up being ignored – or, alternately, as a prominent example that the advocates of different theories invoke for their own (sometimes divergent) ends. The difficulties of classifying the Swiss case often seem to arise around the subject of its four language regions, and around questions over the extent to which these language regions constitute nations. There is dissent over whether a nation in which different languages are spoken is even possible. For those who champion subjectivist approaches, Switzerland stands as a nation despite its multilingualism. Hans Kohn (1956) considers Switzerland a case of civic nationalism, where minorities are not excluded and liberal and democratic ideas serve as integrating forces. For Ernest Renan (1947), a common language might facilitate the formation of nations, but it does not guarantee the success of such a project. Indeed, Renan holds that it is the will to live together that is most crucial. For those who defend objectivist approaches to nationalism, however, multilingualism challenges Switzerland’s status as a nation. Some consider a common language to be a sign of a homogeneous culture, and thus place Switzerland in the category of multinational states (Acton 1948; Renner 1964). For Ernest Gellner (1983), a common language, a standardised education and, more generally, a homogeneous culture are crucial for the functioning of Nations and Nationalism 17 (4), 2011, 712–717. DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8129.2011.00516.x