Definition

Noun 1. A dialect of High German: Refers specifically to the language traditionally spoken by certain communities in parts of Pennsylvania and Maryland in the United States. It is a West Central German dialect, not a form of Dutch. 2. The people speaking this dialect: By extension, can refer to the cultural group, primarily of German and Swiss-German descent, who speak this language and maintain distinct traditions.

Usage Examples

• Referring to the language:
  • My grandmother still speaks fluent Pennsylvania Dutch at home.
  • Linguists study Pennsylvania Dutch as a preserved colonial German dialect.
• Referring to the people/culture:
  • The Pennsylvania Dutch are known for their skilled craftsmanship and distinctive folk art.
  • Many Pennsylvania Dutch traditions center around agriculture and community.

Advanced Usage

• The term is a misnomer stemming from the English word "Deutsch" (meaning "German"). English speakers heard "Deutsch" and interpreted it as "Dutch."
• The language is also sometimes called "Pennsylvania German" to avoid this confusion, though "Pennsylvania Dutch" remains the common traditional term.
• It is distinct from the Amish or Mennonite religions, though many members of those groups are Pennsylvania Dutch speakers. The term refers to a broader ethno-linguistic group.

Variants and Related Words

• Pennsylvania German (n): A synonym for Pennsylvania Dutch, often used in more formal or academic contexts to clarify the Germanic, not Netherlandish, origin.
• Deitsch (n): The endonym (the name speakers use for their own language), from the word "Deutsch."

Synonyms

• Pennsylvania German (for the language)
• Deitsch (for the language)

Notes on Meaning

• Crucial Distinction: It does not refer to people from the Netherlands or the Dutch language. It refers specifically to an American community of German origin.
• Cultural Concept: Often evokes a specific set of cultural practices, cuisine (e.g., shoofly pie, pretzels), and artistic styles (e.g., hex signs, fraktur) associated with the communities in the Pennsylvania region.

Noun

1. a dialect of High German spoken in parts of Pennsylvania and Maryland