to the cities and maintain the mountain ecology. The Alpine regions are multicultural and linguistically diverse. Dialects are common and vary from valley to valley and region to region. In the Slavic Alps alone 19 dialects have been identified. Some of the Romance dialects spoken in the French, Swiss and Italian alps of Aosta Valley derive from Arpitan, while the southern part of the western range is related to Occitan; the German dialects derive from Germanic tribal languages. Romansh, spoken by two percent of the population in southeast Switzerland, is an ancient Rhaeto-Romanic language derived from Latin, remnants of ancient Celtic languages and perhaps Etruscan. Much of the Alpine culture is unchanged since the medieval period when skills that guaranteed survival in the mountain valleys and the highest villages became mainstays, leading to strong traditions of carpentry, woodcarving, baking, pastry-making, and cheesemaking. Farming has been a traditional occupation for centuries, although it became less dominant in the 20th century with the advent of tourism. Grazing and pasture land are limited because of the steep and rocky topography of the Alps. In mid-June, cows are moved to the highest pastures close to the snowline, where they are watched by herdsmen who stay in the high altitudes often living in stone huts or wooden barns during the summers. Villagers celebrate the day the cows are herded up to the pastures and again when they return in mid-September. The Almabtrieb, Alpabzug, Alpabfahrt, Désalpes ("coming down from the alps") is celebrated by decorating the cows with garlands and enormous cowbells while the farmers dress in traditional costumes. Cheesemaking is an ancient tradition in most Alpine countries. A wheel of cheese from the Emmental in Switzerland can weigh up to , and the Beaufort in Savoy can weigh up to . Owners of the cows traditionally receive from the cheesemakers a portion about the proportion of the cows' milk from the summer months in the high alps. Haymaking is an important farming activity in mountain villages that have become somewhat mechanized in recent years, although the slopes are so steep that scythes are usually necessary to cut the grass. Hay is normally brought in twice a year, often also on festival days. In the high villages, people live in homes built according to medieval designs that withstand cold winters. The kitchen is separated from the living area (called the stube, the area of the home
{
        'QUESTION: What type of environment do the Alpine regions have?': 'ANSWER: The Alpine regions have a mountainous environment.',
        'QUESTION: How many dialects are there in the Slavic Alps?': 'ANSWER: There are 19 dialects in the Slavic Alps.',
        'QUESTION: Which languages are spoken in the Alpine regions?': 'ANSWER: The languages spoken in the Alpine regions include various dialects such as Romance dialects, German dialects, and Romansh.',
        'QUESTION: What is the significance of carpentry, woodcarving, baking, pastry-making, and cheesemaking in Alpine culture?': 'ANSWER: These activities were essential skills for surviving in the mountain valleys and the highest villages, leading to strong traditions in these areas.',
        'QUESTION: Why did farming become less dominant in the 20th century?': 'ANSWER: Farming became less dominant due to the rise of tourism in the Alpine regions.',
        'QUESTION: What happens to cows during the summer months in the Alps?': 'ANSWER: During the summer months, cows are moved to the highest pastures near the snowline and are watched over by herdsmen who may live in stone huts or wooden barns.',
        'QUESTION: What is the Almabtrieb and what does it involve?': 'ANSWER: The Almabtrieb, also known as Alpabzug or Alpabfahrt, is a celebration that marks the return of cows from their summer grazing in the mountains. This involves decorating the cows with garlands and large bells, and farmers dressing in traditional clothing.',
        'QUESTION: What is the importance of cheesemaking in Alpine cultures?': 'ANSWER: Cheesemaking is an ancient tradition in the Alpine countries, and owners of the cows used for making cheese typically receive a share of the product based on the proportion of their cow\'s milk contributed during the summer months in the high alps.',
        'QUESTION: What role does haymaking play in Alpine communities?': 'ANSWER: Haymaking is an important farming activity in mountain villages, which has become somewhat mechanized but still requires manual labor due to the steep terrain. Hay is typically harvested twice a year, sometimes coinciding with festivals.',
        'QUESTION: What architectural features characterize homes in high Alpine villages?': 'ANSWER: Homes in high Alpine villages are designed to withstand harsh winter conditions. They feature separate kitchens and living spaces (known as the stube), and are constructed using medieval techniques.'
    }