ENGL300-1: Sheri Partridge
ENGL300-2: Bridget Meador for 5 pts. extra credit
Due by class time on:
The responses by the whole class are due by class time on:
The text you need to read is here.
J. William Frey wrote an article titled “Amish ‘Triple-Talk’” that discusses the varied language known as Pennsylvania Dutch. In the original Pennsylvania Dutch language, there were influences from three other languages however nowadays there are only two strong influences. One group is said to still maintain the original Pennsylvania Dutch, the Amish people of York and Lancaster counties. Also known as ‘western’ Pennsylvania Dutch dialect. The Amish use their dialect in their everyday speech and reserve High German for church services and official matters. This means that some Amish may never use their High German if they are not church officials. However, to help preserve High German among the non-church officials, students are often taught High German in elementary grades and hymns are often sang in High German are church gatherings. Frey offers several distinguishing syllabic factors of the dialect of Pennsylvania Dutch. He states that these factors are much like the dialect of non-Amish Pennsylvanians and therefore, they can communicate flawlessly. An interesting fact to note is that the Amish High German contains no English words whatsoever. English words may be translated or re-constructed but it is the nature of High German to not borrow words. A short run-down of a typical Amish service is described. The sermons are either chanted, slowly, or auctioneered, high-pitched.
I believe this article is very interesting in the fact that I really was not even aware that the Amish spoke a different language. I believe it did a nice job describing the ideas behind the language the ways in which it is used. However, the section of the article describing the syllables and pronunciations was hard to follow and all-together not beneficial. I do not believe enough basic knowledge was provided of the language for someone who knows nothing of it to understand.
By: Bridget Meador
J. William Frey's article entitled "Amish Triple-Talk" delves into the language spoken by the Pennsylvania Dutch, which actually consists of three seperate languages: The Pennsylvania Dutch (German), High German, and American English. Most people new to the language without any linguistics training pass their language off as an ignorant form of the English language. While the language consists of three seperate languages, most of the Amish actually only speak two of the three. High German is generally only used religious ceremonies by religious officials, but students are taught this language in school as to not lose it through the ages.
ReplyDeleteThis article is very interesting, because I, like many people who have never traveled in the area, did not know that this language existed. It is important for people to be cultured on these different languages, so that if and when they are to come in contact with someone fluent in the language, they are not ignorant themselves by calling it the dialect of an ignorant farm-worker. I believe that this language, along with every language used in the United States should at least be introduced to students, so they can be cultured on all areas of their country.
I was completely unaware that this language existed. Of course, I am aware of the multitudes of languages that exist in our world, and am constantly flabbergasted at the complexity of these languages. With the "Amish Triple-Talk" expands into the language spoke by the Pennsylvania Dutch, which, surprisingly enough, consists of three different languages. I think it is amazing how many language their are especially for even one culture. I believe that this language, and the others in the United States should be introduced more. Our country is naive when it comes to the rest of the world.
ReplyDeleteThrough reading this article, multiple perplexities arose. The content embedded within this article seems to have been composed for knowledgeable and competent linguist. The vague level of detailed made the article overall a bit more complicated to assess. Though, with that being said, the information in which was understood tells a story of virtue and independence. A culture in which survives off the land have developed a language of their own and sustained living as successful outcast of modern life. The Amish have manipulated Pennsylvania Dutch, also known as Western Pennsylvania Dutch dialect. Though influences attribute to the Amish preserved Pennsylvanian Dutch, one attribution is noted currently; being High German. High German uses words not known to other languages, enabling those literate in High German with more privileges than others.
ReplyDeleteThis article was very interesting to read because I did not have any prior knowledge about Amish people and their language. I found it very interesting that they speak three languages/dialects. It is interesting to see how little this group's language has been influenced over the years. It is amazing to me that they do not speak English all the time but their community is intentionally separate from the surrounding society, so speaking English is not so important.
ReplyDeleteI find the Dutch culture to be interesting to begin with, but I never knew that the Pennsylvania Dutch used three different languages. I was quite surprised by the High German they use for church. I thought that it was also very cool that when speaking German, they do not ever use English words ever, though they can be translated.
ReplyDeleteI am constantly amazed by how many languages there are in the world. I have never heard of the Pennsylvania Dutch Language, and found it interesting that it is influenced by 3 other languages. Living in the United States, I think sometimes we just assume that everyone speaks English. However, we need to acknowledge all different types of languages in order to understand different types of people.
ReplyDeleteThis article confirms my thought that the Amish really are their own people group, rather than just a sub-group of American society. I am not that familiar with the Amish, but it makes a lot of sense to learn that they have distinct language patterns; they are separate from dominant society in most other ways, so why not linguistically as well? It’s interesting to learn of the impact that German and Dutch have on the language of the Amish in Pennsylvania, especially when I think that Pennsylvania was settled by a lot of German and Dutch immigrants. I wonder if other Amish groups (in different areas of the US) have the same form of language. The way that children are taught both English and High German is a good exercise and will probably prepare them for life outside of the Amish society if they ever choose that way of life.
ReplyDeleteBy reading these past few blogs, I have found that I do not know a lot about the world. Different groups of people have their own languages and way of doing things. I have never heard of Pennsylvania Dutch before and was surprised that it could be influenced by three languages. This goes to show that we are all different but sometimes we can affect others. I have heard of the Amish, but I had no clue they had their own language. You occasionally see the Amish community depicted on television and always hear English, without a dialect. It does show that they are more separate from my everyday world than I thought.
ReplyDeleteReading about the Amish society has opened my eyes to another culture. I have never heard any thing about the Amish people. Reading this article was a new learning experience for me. At time I was confused while reading the article, but I manage some form of understanding. The Pennsylvania Dutch and the Germans helped to influence Amish culture. Amish dialect, while reading, is what I found to be interesting the most.
ReplyDeleteAmish society is a interesting group.I remember reading that since there were so many deaths from the horse and buggie, one certain group of Amish was allowed to drive 1950 cars but they could not have any chrome and the color had to be matte black. I did not realize that the Amish had their own dialect but then again I have never talked to one to find out. It makes sense that Dutch and German influence the Amish culture,since they were setting up colonies on the eastern seaboard.
ReplyDeleteBefore reading this article I had no idea that the Amish had there own language, and not only one, but three separate sectors of a language. It was interesting to read about the different dialogues of each language. I find Amish society very interesting; I would really like to hear Pennsylvania Dutch spoken by Amish people. From learning about languages spoken by the Amish society, I have been reminded what a unique and separate group they are.
ReplyDeleteBefore reading this I was aware that certain Amish communities had their own language, but I was not aware of the "Triple-Talk" format of the Pennsylvania Dutch. The Amish community is such a unique, yet secluded group. I would love to more about them, and learning about their language was the first step into doing so. It is interesting to learn that their dialect is somewhat dependent on what ranking they hold in the community, such as the church officials that use their high German dialect.
ReplyDeleteI also had no awareness that the Amish have their own languages. I am now becoming more aware of how many languages there actually are; A majority of these languages come from places I never would have thought of.
ReplyDeleteI was not aware that the Amish community had their own language. The Amish like their privacy and do not share much about their culture so I am not surprised that I have never heard of their language. It is very interesting to me that they have their own language though, and I would love to learn more about it.
ReplyDeleteBefore reading this, I did not understand much about the Amish. I did not even know that the Amish community had their own dialect. I thought it was interesting how their High German did not have any English words involved in it. I would like to find out more information on their dialect.
ReplyDeleteI have visited outside the US and have run into many Americans who are traveling and sincerely expect other countries to be completely accepting of American English. This way of thinking, that one language that may be spoken in our own environment is spoken and equally adapted everywhere else is very false thinking. Learning that the Amish may live among us, but have three separate languages is not surprising but interesting.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article, I was informed that the Amish could speak a few different languages. It is interesting to learn that the Amish speaks High German. I have never heard of anything being categorized as a high or low language. I also find it interesting that they teach fluent language to the Amish students that are young. This is an important factor to the Amish society an di believe it helps them as a culture.
ReplyDeleteThis article was extremely interesting and informative.Its amazing the Amish have three different dialects and uses them all. I thought the Amish were very straight forward and sort of stuck in old times, but really well rounded language wise they are past us "modern" folks. This article allowed me to open my eyes to different values and different attributes other cultures can offer.
ReplyDeleteI found this article interesting for the most part but confusing in other parts. I was interested in the Amish having their own language because I was not aware of this. It is interesting to read about how they use language and the ideas or believes behind it. Though most of the article was interesting, some of the information such as the syllables was not needed.
ReplyDeleteThe information that surprised me the most is that the Amish people have a language all their own. I personally have very little exposure to Amish individuals and only knew about their aversion to electricity and not that there was such a thing as "High German." The fact that High German is only spoken in elevated areas of the community is also interesting. The idea that only some of the society is privy to something is something knew to me.
ReplyDeleteJ. William Frey's article entitled "Amish Triple-Talk" talked about virtue and independence, it examines a culture, which survives off their land, developed their own language and our living a modern life. The language spoken by the Pennsylvania Dutch consists of three separate languages:The Pennsylvania Dutch (German), High German, and American English. This is amazing to me because I did not realize the Amish language consisted of three separate parts.
ReplyDeleteI found this article very interesting because i didnt realize that amish people had their own dialect built up. They know more of the german language and other types besides english. I didnt realize that they consisted of three different parts.
ReplyDeleteThe Amish have three different dialects and uses them all. Before reading this I was not aware of any amish customs, or that certain Amish communities had their own language, but I was especially unaware of the "Triple-Talk" format of the Pennsylvania Dutch.This article was extremely interesting and informative. I now know that Different ethnic groups have their own languages and way of doing things
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting to find out about some Amish practices through this article. I know so little about Amish people as they seem like a very secret, members-only group. This article is very interesting because I was not even aware that the Amish spoke a different language. The article did a good job describing the ideas being the way the Amish manipulate languages to make their own. The most confusing part of the article described bow syllables and pronunciations were to be used. It was very hard to follow. I think that the Amish language is very allusive to keep their behaviors and culture secret and protected.
ReplyDeleteI feel as if I am constantly learning of a new language, I have never heard of the Amish language and I find it interesting that they use three dialects. Being from the United States I feel like I should know of more about different languages then I do. The author tells us that The Pennsylvania Dutch consists of three different languages, and I found it it interesting how the language had changed over the years.
ReplyDeleteI did'nt know that the Amish had a language of their own.It is intersting that it's restricted to be used in their own culture.It would be expected for everyone to use the language in order for it not to disapear.However, the amish do keep many secrets within their culture.
ReplyDeleteI feel that I learned alot about the Amish language by reading this article. I never knew the Amish had there own language. I have had very little communication with the Amish and from what it seems like they stay to their self and are true their beliefs. I think it is interesting how their language consist of three different parts.
ReplyDeleteAuthor J William Frey composed an article entitled "Amish 'Triple' Talk."' The article explains how Pennsylvania Dutch was composed of three different languages. Most people who hear the language for the first time often pass it up as ignorance or inability to speak English. I always knew that Amish hated our electricity, but I never realized they never conformed to English language either. I think what the article left out was how they language actually was developed, by the Amish trying to talk to their horses by mimicking their sounds.
ReplyDeleteThe "Amish Triple Talk" is a language that is made up of three different languages. It is used by the Pennsylvania Dutch and is influenced by two different groups. The groups that are known for speaking it are the Amish people of York and Lancaster counties. High German is used in this language by church officials for church ceremonies or orders of buisness. In high German, the communication is flawless and words are not borrowed.
ReplyDeleteThis article was very interesting and I learned a lot.
Before reading this article, I only knew that the Amish spoke German. After reading this, I was so preoud i had learned something new. I went to my roommate and explained to her all the languages they use and she was like, "Yeah, I know." It was dissapointing! I found this article enlightening, and would have never known otherwise.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article, my contemplation of the Amish being their own entity, rather than just another “sub-group” of American culture, was authenticated. Although I am not very familiar with the Amish people, I do understand the idea of them having their own, distinct language patterns is logical. Because they are, in many ways, already separated from the dominant society, the Amish should have the liberty of being linguistically different. Furthermore, it is interesting that the language of the Amish (in Pennsylvania) is greatly influenced by the German and Dutch languages. However, I then wondered whether or not if the other Amish people from other parts of the United States have the same type of language. Perhaps children learning both English and German will instill a good implementation in preparing them for life beyond the Amish community (especially if exploring life past that type of life is an option).
ReplyDeleteI never knew this about the Amish. I had no idea that they spoke three different languages. What I knew about the Amish before reading this article was only stereotypical but after reading the article I realized there was a lot I didn't know and a lot that I don't know. Finding out about the language was interesting.
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