Historically, the ‘Deutsche’ were one of numerous tribes living north of the Rhine, along with the ‘Alemani’, as used in the French word for German, and the ‘Teutoni’.Įnough for now. Traditionally, this transcription is ascribed to Martin Luther who needed a unifying, genuinely “German” figure during the Reformation. The word ‘german’ itself derives from a transcription of Arminius, a tribal leader who fought the Romans. Possibly, the English then decided that the Amish were from the Netherlands, where people speak Dutch, and left it at that, and the Amish never bothered to correct them.Įtymologically, the word ‘dutch’ is derived from ‘deutsch’, as is ‘tysk’ (the Scandinavian word for German) and ‘tedesco’ (the Italian word for German). In America, the word ‘deutsch’, when spoken, turned into ‘dutch’ simply because “the English” could not discern or pronounce the diphtong ‘eu’ (try it yourself). When the Amish came to America in the mid-18th century, they spoke German (Deutsch), the language spoken in the Alpine regions where they lived. It all comes down to sloppy pronounciation. In some communities there is concern that Pennsylvania Dutch may be falling out of use in favor of English. Thus the preservation of the Pennsylvania German language is important to the Amish. Along with Plain clothing and the horse-and-buggy, it is seen as a marker of the Amish and other Plain people, marking them in contrast with the outside world. The Pennslvania Dutch dialect is not only a means of communication but also seen as important in a symbolic sense. Pennsylvania German, symbolic of Amish identity It is safe to say that Amish are a bilingual people, with individuals having a varying degree of ability in High German. Proficiency in High German can vary among Amish. High German, language of Amish church High German is the language of Amish worshipīibles used by Amish are written in High German, and verses read in church are also in High German, as is the Amish songbook, the Ausbund. This phenomenon has become more common with the rise of Amish business and greater exposure to the non-Amish world. Some Amish children become quite proficient at English at a young age. In Amish schools, instruction is in English, along with some classes in High German. Most Amish children have limited exposure to English before entering first grade. It is the first language an Amish child learns. Pennsylvania German is the language of the home. Amish tend to switch to English when non-Amish enter within earshot, out of respect and to involve the others. Old Order Mennonites speak Pennsylvania German as well, and Amish and Old Order Mennonites will converse in the language. Amish use English when conversing with non-Amish individuals, and when doing business with outsiders. When Amish write letters, they do so largely in English, with some occasional use of German possible. Dictionaries have been compiled and some books written in the dialect. However, some attempts have been made to transcribe the language to a written form. Pennsylvania German is generally not a written language.
Pennsylvania Dutch is not a written language This can even cause difficulties in understanding between a Swiss-speaking Amishman and one from a Pennsylvania German language background. Accents and manners of speaking Pennsylvania Dutch can vary between communities.Īdditionally, the so-called “ Swiss Amish”, primarily found in Indiana, speak a Swiss dialect which differs from that spoken by the majority of Amish. There are some similarities with dialects of German spoken in Europe today, though Pennsylvania German includes numerous English words. Translate between up to 133 languages.Amish speak both English and Pennsylvania German or “Dutch”Īmish speak a dialect of German known as Pennsylvania German, or Pennsylvania Dutch.
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