Pennsylvania German

When one thinks of Pennsylvania, the first thing that may come to mind is Philadelphia. The second thing might be the Liberty Bell or cheesesteaks. But Pennsylvania is so much more than that! Bordering six other states and home to over 12 million people, Pennsylvania is a melting pot of cultures, and that includes the Pennsylvania German language. Also known as Pennsylvania Dutch, Pennsylvania German is a West Central German dialect. It is estimated that there are around 300,000 speakers of Pennsylvania German in the world, most of whom live in the state of Pennsylvania. The history of Pennsylvania German begins in the 17th century when German immigrants settled in the area that is now Pennsylvania. These immigrants were fleeing religious persecution in their homeland and seeking religious freedom in the New World. The Pennsylvania German language is a dialect of West Central German. The dialect is spoken in the southeastern and south central parts of Pennsylvania, as well as in some parts of Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Pennsylvania German dialect is a mix of German and English. In fact, Pennsylvania German is sometimes referred to as a "creole" language because it is a mix of two languages. The Pennsylvania German dialect has been influenced by the English language over the years. However, there are still many words and phrases that are unique to Pennsylvania German. Here are a few examples of Pennsylvania German words and phrases: -Guder mariye (good morning) -Wie geht's? (How are you?) -Dankeschön (Thank you) -Guten appetite (Enjoy your meal) If you're interested in learning more about the Pennsylvania German language, there are many resources available online and in libraries. There are also Pennsylvania German courses offered at some colleges and universities.