Our program teaches the Amish language. It is one of a kind. It was created with the help of an Amish family in Lancaster, PA. Our purpose is not only to teach people interested in Amish language and culture but also to preserve the Amish language as it exists today, before it is changed by the influences of the modern world.
Why learn the Amish language?
There is nothing better than going to Amish country and surprising the people with speaking some of the Pennsylvania Dutch language. If you go though the whole program you will be able to have full conversations in PADutch, however, even if you learn fifty words, you will use those fifty words and it will open up doors. The study of the language itself with our program, will let you experience first hand how the Amish interact with each other.
Why I am interested in the Amish?
The Amish language is deeply rooted in the American culture. It is a living part of American history. I like to think of the Amish as a living history that America can be proud of, that distances us from the everyday hyper-consumptive lifestyles or media noise, to a gentler quieter lifestyle.
What might motivate you to speak the Amish language? If you’re like me you always had at least a passing in the Amish. The Amish are a combination of a community living an religious ideal, history and beauty in everyday life. It is part of America, Americans can be proud and honored to have as a community within our culture.
Therefore, it is not just the language itself that interests me about the Pennsylvania Dutch, it is their community and how they live their life. Their life is a faith-based living example, of an almost ideal community of people living and working together with a common faith.
Further, it is not simply that Amish communities limit the use of technology, which makes them special, rather it is their strong sense of faith, family, work, and the friendly disposition towards others.
If you can learn the Amish language, this will unlock a door that will allow you to experience at the next level their community. I have had Amish people invite us to their homes for example. You will connect with others that have a similar interest.
Most of the Amish if not all can speak English however among themselves they speak the Amish language of Pennsylvania Dutch. Each Amish community speaks slight variations of this language so the Ohio Amish might speak slightly different than the Pennsylvania Amish. However if you can converse in Pennsylvania Dutch is the language that we teach, you will be able to talk to any Amish person in the United States and Canada.
The Amish language is a growing, living language with projections in the next decade to reach a million native speakers. Yes the Amish have a lot of children. If you project out the demographics, it could someday be Amish America.
Is the Amish language useful outside the US?
The Amish language is a Middle German dialect that at some level could be understood by Germans who speak a similar dialect. Therefore, if you know PA Dutch you could survive in parts of Germany linguistically and would catch on to German rapidly.
The purpose is to also learn about Amish culture
The purpose of learning the language is not just speaking the language, but also learning a part of the culture. When you go though our program you will be learning aspects of the Amish culture that you might not be able to get a sense of from a book. The program itself is also delightful to hear because it is an actual Amish family. You will have children being playful, and parents and authentic Amish noises in the background.
I hope you enjoy your program.
