Page 8 - Demo SS Fall 2016

Cultural Currents: Who are the Pennsylvania germans? continued from pg. 3
ask them, Wie bischt du? This question has no practical meaning in High German.
word also has its origins in Pennsil- faanisch.
important to keep this cultural heritage alive, for without it we lose an important part of our local history.
This semantical change came about with the adoption of English vocabulary and grammar into the German dialect when the Penn- Germans came to America. In a way, the change simplified the German word for “are” to mean essentially the same thing it does in English. Sentence structure was also modified by contact with English.
When two languages come into contact, words and phrases inevitably mix and become shared. This in- creases the connection between the two cultures, and can lead to a blending, like that found in Penn- German culture.
Christian Swartzbaugh
Cultural Influences on the Language
“Palatine German Ship Passenger Lists to Pa.” History of Palatine Immigra- tion and Ship Passenger Lists of the Palatine Germans. N.p., n.d. Web. 29 June 2015. www.searchforancestors.com/
The Pennsilfaanisch language was heavily influenced by the culture of the Penn-Germans. In High Ger- man, the proper title for addressing a man is Herr, as in Herr Schmidt or Herr Beethoven. Although used by the Germans as the equivalent of “Mister,” Herr directly translates to “Lord.”
passengerlists/history
Rupp, Prof. I. Daniel. A Collection of
Religion was a very important part of life for the Penn-Germans, and they believed there was only one true Herr—the Lord Himself. Instead of compromising their religion, they adopted the English “Mister” as a formal title. This small linguistic change highlights the importance of religion in the lives and culture of the Pennsyl- vania Germans.
Haag, Earl C. “A Very Brief Introdu- tion to the Pennsylvania German Language.” Professor Haag’s PA German Dialect. The Pennsylvania German Society. N.p., 8 Apr. 2014. Web. 29 June 2015. www.pgs.org/dialect.asp
Changing Times Changes Languages Pennsilfaanisch began to die
Royer Family. Renfrew Park: A Pennsylvania German Farmstead. Waynesboro, Pa. 1988.
out after WWII, when most of its speakers began to use English more often. As time and technology pro- gressed, Pennsilfaanisch did not have words for many new develop- ments taking place, so it borrowed more and more from English.
Pfund, Harry W. The History of The German Society of Pennsylvania. History. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 June 2015. www.germansociety.org/history
Despite this decline in general usage, the Pennsilfaanisch language is still alive and well today. About 300,000 people speak the language today and that number is growing. Young people interested in their cultural heritage are taking an interest in Pennsilfaanisch, and in some areas, it is being reincorpo- rated into daily life.
Upwards of Thirty Thousand Names of German, Swiss, Dutch, French and Other Immigrants in Pennsyl- vania From 1727 to 1776. Philadel- phia. Second Revised Edition, 1876.
The language can be heard most commonly today in a small number of Pennsylvania counties. It is
Special Thanks to:
Butch Reigart, Pennsilfaanisch expert Pam Rowland, Renfrew Institute
References:
Arthur, Dan, and Ronald R. Keiper. The
Director of Cultural Studies
Mutual Language Exchanges
Not only was Pennsilfaanisch influenced by English, but English spoken by those in proximity to the Pennsylvania Germans was in turn influenced by the Pennsil- faanisch language.
Montour
Northampton
North- umberland
Around this area of Pennsyl- vania [Franklin County], one often hears someone refer to “that there chair” or “this here house.” This peculiar phraseology can be traced back to Pennsilfaanisch speakers.
SchuylkillBerks Lebanon
Bucks
Another word heard in local conversation is “spritzing.” Mean- ing a light drizzle or rain, this
Map of counties in “Pennsylvania Dutch Country,” one of several regions in which Pennsylvania German and Pennsylvania Dutch English have traditionally been spoken. Source: Wikimedia. Pale blue = Counties considered “Dutch Country”
Dark red = Counties with significant numbers of PA German speakers.
6
York Lancaster Chester
Columbia
Lehigh
Dauphin
Montgomery