What Language do Amish Speak?
Are you interested in reading about different cultures and have questions related to them? For instance, do the Amish only speak English, or what language do Amish speak? The answer to these questions is much more fascinating.
Just like how fictional characters like the Minions speak a quirky mix of real and made-up words, the Amish have a rich and authentic language tradition.
The Amish have a humble lifestyle, integrated society and great attachment to the olden times. One of the books they use to preserve that heritage is the language. Amish have different languages that they use in various uses e.g. during a church, they communicate using a particular language, they use internal communication that applies in their internal use and then there is an external world language.
Understanding the languages they speak offers a glimpse into how the Amish maintain their identity while living alongside modern society. It’s about culture, values, and continuity across generations. In this blog, let’s take a look at the significance of language in Amish community.
What Language do the Amish Speak?
The Amish primarily speak Pennsylvania Dutch, a German dialect used in daily life. They use High German for church services and English to interact with non-Amish. Some Amish, especially in Indiana and Ohio, speak a form of Swiss German. Language reflects their faith, community ties, and cultural separation.
Here’s the breakdown of each language:
Pennsylvania Dutch: The Heart of Amish Communication
What is Pennsylvania Dutch?
Although Pennsylvania Dutch is not connected to the Dutch language of the Netherlands, the name of it refers to it. In actuality, it is really a form of German – commonly referred to as Pennsylvania German or consisting of the word Deitsch by speakers native to it. The misinterpretation is due to word Deutsch, which translates in German to German; however, English speakers went wrong in relating it to Dutch.
Pennsylvania Dutch evolved during the 1700s and evolved after German known as German speaking Palatine in southwestern Germany immigrated into Pennsylvania. Their language developed, not with contemporary German, over time as a result of geographic isolation and exposure to the English speakers. Consequently, English words were borrowed in the dialect which also acquired a different rhythm and style.
Who speaks Pennsylvania Dutch?
The Pennsylvania Dutch language is today practiced predominantly by Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonites in the United States as well as Canada. It is their mother tongue that they speak since early childhood, they speak it every day at home, at the community and during social events.
Interestingly, there is an increase in the number of speakers. Pennsylvania Dutch is the only unique language that is not on the decline unlike other minority languages, spearheaded by the Amish community since they have the highest birth rates and also they follow their culture quite closely.
Characteristics of Pennsylvania Dutch:
Pennsylvania Dutch is primarily a spoken language. While some written materials exist, the Amish rarely use it for writing outside of informal notes or oral traditions.
Linguistically, it features:
- Simplified grammar compared to Standard German
- A vocabulary that’s about 85 – 90% German-based, with 10 – 15% English loanwords
- Slight regional variations, depending on the community
You may come across something such as, “ich geh fer shoppa” which has a mixture of the German grammar and English vocabulary indicating that the language has evolved over several years.
Importance in Amish Life:
For the Amish, speaking Pennsylvania Dutch isn’t just a habit – it’s a pillar of identity. It keeps a firm distinction between the Amish world and the English world (non-Amish society). It is the language of family and community and tradition to the Amish.
The Amish preserve their history by passing it to each successive generation, and one conversation at a time.
High German: The Language of Faith
While Pennsylvania Dutch is the language of daily life, High German – also known as Standard German or Hochdeutsch – holds a special place in Amish religious life. It is the language spoken during church services, scripture readings and in old familiar hymns many of which are found in the Bible translation of Martin Luther.
In contrast with the Pennsylvania Dutch, which is carried off in a casual, spoken manner, High German is formal and solemn. It leaves a distinct distance between the world of speech and spirituality. This difference assists Amish communities to have a high sense of tradition in worship.
High German can be said to be the language that links the Amish to their origins in Europe which is Anabaptist i.e. their German and Swiss ancestors. It is not merely the definition of the words, but commemorating their tapping of spiritual ancestry.
Although the majority of Amish children are taught in English, they also acquire the receptive knowledge of High German, in particular, with the help of the religious upbringing. Even though they cannot fluently utilize it, they understand that this is the language of religion and heritage.
English: A Link with the Outside World
As much as Pennsylvania Dutch and High German influence the Amish lifestyle, English is very crucial in linking the Amish to modernity. It is what they say to the non Amish individuals with whom they tend to refer as the English.
English is essential for practical reasons. They use it to conduct business transactions, at the farmers markets, when they receive medical care, and in all situations where Amish people deal with the government or outside individuals. It is a gateway between the closed world of their community and the rest of society.
In Amish schools, which commonly teach until 8th grade, English is used as a language of the instruction. Students are taught how to read, write and speak it fluently given the fact that there is no formal writing system of Pennsylvania Dutch.
As far as written communication is concerned, a vast majority of Amish uses English when exchanging letters, producing records, and making signs. They have different native language, but English opens to them the way of peaceful and independent functioning in the modern English world.
Beyond the Main Dialects: Swiss Amish
While most Amish speak Pennsylvania Dutch, a smaller group known as the Swiss Amish, primarily living in southern Indiana, speak a different dialect altogether: Bernese Swiss German. This is an Alemannic dialect, distinct from both Pennsylvania Dutch and High German. Unlike their counterparts, Swiss Amish do not share linguistic roots with Palatine German settlers, making their dialect incomprehensible to other Amish groups. This small but important difference adds a unique layer to the Amish linguistic landscape.
Why Do the Amish Maintain These Languages?
The Amish maintain their traditional languages for reasons deeply tied to who they are. Language is a core part of their cultural identity – it keeps them rooted in their heritage and clearly separates their community from the outside, or “English,” world.
High German holds religious significance, used during worship and scripture reading. It connects them to their spiritual origins and honors the practices of their ancestors.
Using Pennsylvania Dutch or Swiss German at home and within the community fosters strong internal bonds, helping maintain a close-knit, unified society.
Despite the rise of English around them, the Amish have resisted assimilation, passing their languages from one generation to the next. It’s not just about communication – it’s about preserving values, history, and faith in a rapidly changing world.
Did You Learn Something New about Amish?
The Amish aren’t just a community set apart by their way of life – they’re also a people defined by their language. Most Amish are bilingual or even trilingual. They speak Pennsylvania Dutch at home, use High German for worship and spiritual texts, and rely on English when interacting with the outside world.
These languages do more than help them communicate – they help preserve their faith, values, and cultural identity across generations. In a fast-moving, digital world, the Amish continue to pass down not only traditions, but voices from the past.
And that’s something worth admiring. Because in every “bello” or “poopaye” of pop culture and every quietly spoken “Gott sei Dank” in an Amish church, we see it: language is more than words – it’s belonging.
Isn’t that the beauty of linguistic diversity? Even in silence, a culture speaks.
So if someone asks what language do Amish speak, what will you answer?
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