Buzz
There are approximately 250,000 to 290,000 Amish individuals residing in the United States presently. Amish settlements have been established in America since the early 18th century. Known for their adherence to a stringent Ordnung, or code of conduct, which encompasses abstaining from using electricity, telephones, and automobiles, the majority of Amish communities are tightly knit and primarily located in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Indiana. However, Amish settlements can also be found in other states and in Canada. Due to the significant number of Amish settlers in Pennsylvania, both the community and its language are commonly referred to as “Pennsylvania Dutch.” Despite its name, this language is essentially a blend of English and German -- the term “Dutch” is derived from the word “Deutsch,” which means “German” in German. Most scholarly sources denote the language as 'Pennsylvania German.'
Steps
Grasping the Fundamentals
Acquire foundational resources to commence your learning journey. Unless you reside in close proximity to a sizable Amish community, the likelihood of finding a native Pennsylvania Dutch speaker to serve as your tutor is minimal. Nevertheless, numerous reputable online resources and a handful of books are available to kickstart your learning process.
- Hiwwe wie Driwwe (translated as “Over here as over there” in Pennsylvania Dutch) is a newspaper published in Pennsylvania Dutch. They offer a comprehensive array of online lessons and maintain a YouTube channel.
- An excellent phonetic guide can be accessed online via Omniglot, an internet-based language encyclopedia.
- The Pennsylvania Dutch Dialect Project provides an online guide to grammar and pronunciation.
Invest in a quality study guide. While there aren't numerous resources dedicated to Pennsylvania Dutch, there are several highly recommended books endorsed by language experts.
- J. William Frey's publication A Simple Grammar of Pennsylvania Dutch serves as the definitive textbook. Frey, a renowned professor of Pennsylvania German culture and language at Franklin and Marshall College in Pennsylvania, left behind a legacy of scholarly work archived by the institution.
- Elizabeth Wengerd's Introduction to Pennsylvania German is published by Millersville University, one of the few academic institutions in the nation with resources dedicated to Amish studies.
- Steve Troyer's The Amish Language for the English encompasses pronunciation guidelines, vocabulary lists, and common expressions. Troyer drew inspiration from his Amish upbringing to create this resource. His website also offers a “word of the month” feature.
- Lillian Stoltzfus's Speaking Amish: A Beginner’s Introduction to Pennsylvania German for Ages 10 to 100 features lessons covering vocabulary, grammar, and phonetics, accompanied by an audio CD. Stoltzfus, raised in an Amish household, is intimately familiar with the dialect.
- If you're proficient in modern German, you'll likely find the written Pennsylvania Dutch language understandable, as it shares approximately 85% of its vocabulary and grammar with German. However, pronunciation differs significantly.
Grasp fundamental sentence structure. The sentence structure of Pennsylvania Dutch closely resembles that of contemporary German, which also shares similarities with English. Sentences are typically constructed with a basic subject-verb-object framework. However, due to flexible word conjugation, Amish speakers can usually comprehend even if your syntax is imperfect.
Create flashcards for vocabulary. Maintaining a set of vocabulary flashcards allows for Pennsylvania Dutch learning on-the-go, whether you're commuting, waiting in line, or en route to Amish territory.
- Unlike English, Pennsylvania Dutch employs multiple noun genders and adjusts verbs and adjectives based on number and person. In addition to the aforementioned Pennsylvania Dutch resources, a reliable German textbook can aid in understanding these linguistic nuances.
Commence with basic vocabulary. Immersing yourself in a new language doesn't entail immediately constructing complex sentences. Beginning with fundamental vocabulary related to everyday objects and concepts is an effective starting point. Once you've acquired a solid foundation of nouns and verbs, you can gradually construct sentences.
- Given that initial interactions with Amish speakers may occur in shops or eateries, familiarize yourself with vocabulary pertinent to such environments, including: es Esse (meal), der Kuche (cookie), Gleeder (clothing), and es Hausrot (furniture). Don't forget es Geld (money) to cover expenses.
- Common verbs include brauche (need), kaaf (buy), denke (think), and wuhne (live). To express 'I need,' you would say 'Ich brauch.'
- Visiting an Amish bakery? Inquire about
Faasnachtkuche (potato doughnuts) or Melassich Riwwelkuche (shoo-fly pie). For a beverage, consider die Kefferbrieh (literally 'beetle brew,' sans beetles).
- At an Amish eatery, you might encounter Lattwaerig alongside es Brot: Lattwaerig, apple butter derived from pureed apples, pairs wonderfully with brot (bread). Amish bread, particularly 'Amish Friendship Bread,' is renowned. Other menu items may include Grumbiere (potatoes), Aerbse (peas), and Temaets (tomatoes).
Learn to formulate questions. Mastery of basic grammar isn't necessary to begin posing inquiries. Like English, Pennsylvania Dutch typically follows a Subject-Verb-Object (or other elements) order in sentences. To form questions, simply invert the word order: Verb-Subject-Object (or other elements)?
- For instance, Ich kaaf en Esse translates to 'I buy a meal,' while Kaaf ich en Esse? means 'Can I buy a meal?'
- Common question words (Froogewadde) include: Wie (how/what), Wu (where), Was (what), Wer (who), and Wie viel (how much).
Master a selection of common expressions and inquiries. Acquiring a handful of phrases can facilitate initiating conversations with Amish individuals. Can you converse in Pennsylvania Dutch? (Kannscht du Pennsilfaanisch Deitsch schwetzer?) serves as a favorable icebreaker, alongside Hello (Guder daag) and Good-bye (Mach’s gut).
- When introducing yourself, you can say My name is ___, and then inquire What is your name? When introducing others, you can say His name is __ (for males) and Her name is __ (for females).
- Inquire How are you? (Vie gehts?) or How's it going? (Wie bischt du?) To express well-being, respond with I'm good (Ich bin gut) or for less favorable circumstances, state I'm pretty bad (Ich bin zimmlich schlecht).
- You’ll find Time to eat (Tzeit for essah) useful when dining at an Amish establishment. When discussing food preferences, use Do you like ___? (Gleichscht du ___?) If offering gratitude before a meal, say I offer thanks at the table (Ich saag dank am disch). However, most Amish households engage in silent prayer before meals.
- Ask about the weather with How is the weather? (Wie iss es Wedder?) Responses may include It's nice outside ('Sis schee) or It's nasty outside ('Sis schlecht).
Familiarize yourself with Amish proverbs. The Amish possess an array of idioms and sayings, many of which are part of everyday discourse. Learning these enables you to share pearls of wisdom with newfound acquaintances.
- A good whetstone is half the work (Guut gewetzt iss halwer gemaeht), suggesting that a strong start is pivotal to success.
- Where there's smoke, there's fire (Wu Schmook iss, iss aa Feier) mirrors a common English saying.
- What you don't know won't bother you (Was mer net weess macht eem net heess) underscores the concept that ignorance is bliss.
Broadening Your Understanding
Explore the availability of language classes in your vicinity. If you reside in Pennsylvania, various entities offer Pennsylvania Dutch courses, such as Pennsilfaanish Deitsch Friend Groups, universities, and public libraries. The Pennsylvania German Society maintains a directory of establishments providing instruction.
Immerse yourself in written material. Although Pennsylvania Dutch lacks extensive printed resources due to its primarily oral nature, certain texts can enhance your reading proficiency.
- The Pennsylvania Dutch Dialect Project features diverse short texts, including humorous anecdotes.
- The German-Pennsylvanian Association hosts a website and blog predominantly in the dialect.
- The Pennsylvania German Society publishes Der Reggeboge, a journal featuring dialectical content.
- The “Pennsylvania Dutch Blog” occasionally showcases pieces in the dialect.
- Pennsylvania native Brad Humble maintains a blog, 'Brad Humble's Amish Country,' offering insights into Amish culture and language, complemented by a cookbook, dictionary, and phrase list.
Immerse yourself in spoken Pennsylvania Dutch. Given the notable differences in pronunciation between Pennsylvania Dutch and modern German, it’s essential to listen to native speakers and focus on their pronunciation.
- The University of Wisconsin at Madison offers a collection of audio interviews featuring Amish speakers, accompanied by transcripts.
- Hiwwe wie Driwwe boasts its own YouTube channel featuring videos in spoken Pennsylvania Dutch.
Enroll in a college with resources for Amish studies. For those earnestly interested in delving deeper into Amish culture and language, several colleges and universities provide assistance. Millersville University, Kutztown University, and Elizabethtown College, all situated in Pennsylvania, host centers dedicated to the study of Pennsylvania German culture and language.
Enhancing Your Skills
Seek out conversational partners. While Amish individuals are often perceived as reserved towards non-Amish, referred to as “English,” their Ordnung underscores values like humility, simplicity, and community. Consequently, many Amish prioritize friendly interaction with outsiders to exemplify godliness. If you reside near an Amish community, Amish-owned establishments provide opportunities to converse with locals in their language.
- Amish-owned bakeries and restaurants are prevalent, offering not only language practice but also delectable cuisine, as the Amish are renowned for their baked goods.
- Shops showcasing Amish handicrafts, including wood carvings, quilts, and furniture, are abundant in Amish areas.
- Occasionally, Amish farms display signs inviting visitors for tours or to purchase homemade goods. If you encounter such signs, feel free to visit, but respect the farmers’ privacy if signs are absent.
Participate in (or initiate) a language group. With the internet facilitating the formation of shared-interest groups, establishing a “conversation group” or meetup enables interaction with fellow enthusiasts, fostering language practice and conversation skills.
- Kutztown University administers a conversation group that coordinates meetings through Meetup.com.
Explore a cultural or heritage center. Tourism plays a significant role in certain Amish regions, notably in Holmes County, Ohio, and Lancaster, Pennsylvania (the two largest Amish settlements worldwide). Within these locales, numerous Amish cultural or heritage centers aim to educate outsiders about Amish culture and faith.
- Kutztown University in Pennsylvania oversees a Pennsylvania German Cultural Heritage Center and museum, offering events, a library, and other valuable resources.
Engage with the Pennsylvania German Society. The Pennsylvania German Society, a nonprofit organization, is committed to the exploration of Pennsylvania Dutch culture and language. Alongside sponsoring or hosting various language classes in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, they provide access to a curated library, a journal, a dialect series, and a plethora of historical sources and documents.
Insights
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Familiarize yourself with Amish culture and religion before initiating conversations. This knowledge enables understanding of their customs and facilitates respectful interactions.
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Refrain from requesting to photograph Amish individuals due to their religious prohibition against creating “graven images,” including photographs. Additionally, they consider attention to appearance as Hochmut, or vanity.
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Avoid staring or gawking, as it is impolite. Although the Amish adopt distinctive “Plain” clothing and utilize horses and buggies instead of cars, they are real individuals leading genuine lives, not mere tourist attractions.
Cautions
- Entering an Amish farm or home without invitation is highly disrespectful. As the Amish uphold principles of pacifism and selflessness, they might not express their discomfort, hence it's imperative to exercise discretion.
