They have their own strongly English-influenced dialect of German, “Pennsylvania Dutch” (Dutch means here “German”, it is a corruption of Deutsch, German). The dialect is originally Palatinate Rhine-Franconian, a rather southern dialect.
It's closely related to standard German but has unique grammar and pronunciation. The dialect is not only spoken by Old Order Mennonites and Old Order Amish; many of today's younger generations are also familiar with it because some schools offer both German and English classes.
Conclusion. The Amish, or Pennsylvania Dutch as many outsiders know them, are Germanic people. Most of the earliest Amish arrivals came from the Swiss/Alsace region and brought their traditions and mother tongue with them. Generations of living apart from other communities have kept their heritage intact.
While most Amish and Old Order Mennonites are of Swiss ancestry, nearly all speak Pennsylvania Dutch, an American language that developed in rural areas of southeastern and central Pennsylvania during the 18th century.
Most Amish people enjoy talking with outsiders, if they don't feel like they are regarded as animals in the zoo.
They have their own strongly English-influenced dialect of German, “Pennsylvania Dutch” (Dutch means here “German”, it is a corruption of Deutsch, German). The dialect is originally Palatinate Rhine-Franconian, a rather southern dialect.
The Amish (/ˈɑːmɪʃ/; Pennsylvania German: Amisch; German: Amische), formally the Old Order Amish, are a group of traditionalist Anabaptist Christian church fellowships with Swiss German and Alsatian origins. They are closely related to Mennonite churches, a separate Anabaptist denomination.
There are several Old Order Amish communities (especially in Indiana) where Bernese German, a form of Swiss German and Low Alemannic Alsatian, not Pennsylvania Dutch, are spoken.
Amish as an ethnic group
The Amish are united by a common Swiss-German ancestry, language, and culture, and they marry within the Amish community. The Amish therefore meet the criteria of an ethnic group.
Amish communities sprang up in Switzerland, Alsace, Germany, Russia, and Holland, but emigration to North America in the 19th and 20th centuries and assimilation with Mennonite groups gradually eliminated the Amish in Europe.
The Amish have their roots in the Mennonite community. Both were part of the early Anabaptist movement in Europe, which took place at the time of the Reformation. The Anabaptists believed that only adults who had confessed their faith should be baptized, and that they should remain separate from the larger society.
The Amish dress plainly in solid colors.
Men wear black pants and shirts of a number of colors, along with straw hats, while women wear dresses and aprons with bonnets. Men typically have beards but no mustache, and often have a bowl haircut, while women usually wear their hair in a bun.
There's no rule against friendships between Amish and non-Amish people. The Amish love meeting other people and conversing about life. But always respect their devout laws and views on modern living, which will almost certainly differ from yours. You don't have to have the same beliefs to befriend an Amish person.
Yes. The Amish in Lancaster, Pennsylvania celebrate Christmas. As you might expect though, Amish Christmas celebrations are done in a much simpler way. You won't find Amish families visiting Santa Claus, decorating their homes with Christmas lights, or putting an elf on their shelf.
Not only do the Amish not actively practice polygamy, they certainly don't believe in it. They view polygamy as adultery. Although the various Amish settlements may interpret certain rules slightly differently, there is no deviation from this law. The Amish believe in traditional marriage between one man and one woman.
A: Yes. Although the Amish do not actively evangelize, several dozen outside people have joined the Amish. Potential members must be willing to learn the dialect and accept the rules of the church in order to be baptized and become members of the church.
You may know that Pennsylvania German, also known as Pennsylvania Dutch (PD), is the primary language of most Amish and conservative Mennonite communities living in the United States today.
Health among the Amish is characterized by higher incidences of particular genetic disorders, especially among the Old Order Amish. These disorders include dwarfism, Angelman syndrome, and various metabolic disorders, such as Tay-Sachs disease, as well as an unusual distribution of blood types.
One researcher estimates there may be as many as between 150 to 200 converts living Plain lives today, though not all will stay Amish in the long run.
DO NOT stare or point or otherwise be disrespectful of the Amish. If you see an Amish family in town, they are likely there to do some shopping, stop by the bank or do some other errand just like you do with your family.
The decision to marry a person outside of the Amish church is one that comes with a decision to be made by the person in the community, but before they are baptized by the church. If they choose to be baptized, than the non-Amish person would have consider joining the Amish church.
The Amish believe noises, like "needless words," are displeasure to God. Silence can aid in restoring bruised relationships while others would ask questions.